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Rainforest Retreat

46 Cron Street, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park 7886 New Zealand
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Traveller (958)
Room & Suite (252)
Videos (1)
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About

#2 of 12 hotels in Franz Josef
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Travellers' Choice
Deep In the heart of West Coast Glacier country, Rainforest Retreat is a rare find, with a range of accommodation set amongst lush native bush in Franz Josef township. Enjoy privacy and sanctuary in secluded cottages and tree huts, relax in the spas and sauna, dine out and have fun at the bar/restaurant, or just relish the bush setting and cook up barbecues with new friends. From luxury tree huts to flashpacker rooms, Rainforest Retreat has accommodation to suit every style of traveller; from couples to family groups to young individuals on a budget. Rainforest Retreat provides excellent value and a special atmosphere; with a focus on superb service, cleanliness and a range of great facilities to satisfy all of our guests.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Bar / lounge
Bicycle rental
Hiking
Children's playground
Kids' outdoor play equipment
Taxi service
Wifi
Paid wifi
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Happy hour
Kids' meals
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus
Vending machine
Board games / puzzles
Highchairs available
Spa
Foot massage
Full body massage
Hand massage
Head massage
Hot spring bath
Neck massage
Open-air bath
BBQ facilities
Baggage storage
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
Shared kitchen
Shared lounge / TV area
Umbrella
Express check-in / check-out
Private check-in / check-out
Clothes dryer
Laundry service
Self-serve laundry
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Room features
Blackout curtains
Bathrobes
Additional bathroom
Dining area
Housekeeping
Coffee / tea maker
Cable / satellite TV
Walk-in shower
Interconnected rooms available
Private balcony
Safe
Separate dining area
Separate living room
Sofa
Telephone
VIP room facilities
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Iron
Laptop safe
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Kitchenette
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Stovetop
Electric kettle
Kitchenware
Flatscreen TV
Radio
iPod docking station
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Mountain view
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Smoking rooms available
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
4.5 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Centrally Located
Languages Spoken
English, German
2,703Reviews3Q+A100Room tips

Reviews
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Tom A wrote a review 14 Mar
4 contributions
Really gorgeous campground. Right in the rainforest surrounded by birds and lush plants. Free hot tub as well. Toilets very clean and good showers. Walking distance to all the restaurants and a few walking trails. Recommend the Callery Gorge walk.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Cartney wrote a review Sept 2022
Wellington, New Zealand105 contributions20 helpful votes
Hotel's Favourite
Loved this place! Booked the 2brm luxury treehouse apartment for two couples and two babies. Cozy and warm, huge rooms, nice amenities (included some wee wines and beers, massive breakfast baskets and Nespresso pods) and a very private location. The spa on the deck was amazing and well utilised even though it was raining. Overall loved this place and would def return.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Adam M wrote a review 10 Mar
Alton, United Kingdom9 contributions
This hotel was the most expensive place we stayed on our trip in NZ and it was also the most disappointing. There are a range of offerings in terms of stays and for the price of £290pn (NZ$580) for our room we were really gutted that it turned out to not live up to this price. It is sold as this exotic retreat hotel but in actual fact there is a backpackers on site, this meant that the clientele was very varied and it could not achieve the 5* prices it charges. This meant for example that there was a luxury spa pool that was full of backpackers drinking and therefore did not feel particularly inviting for a couple on their honeymoon paying for a luxury retreat. On top of this the food in the on site restaurant was poor and overpriced which added to our disappointment. The only reason we gave a 2 star rating rather than a 1 star is because the hotel room space was nice but it would have been nice to have a larger TV considering Franz Josef is quite a quiet town and given the price of the room!
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Tim B wrote a review 1 Mar
2 contributions
Great location in Franz Josef. Walk to tours, store, pubs and restaurants. We all loved the dual master suite layout, deck and hot tub. Coffee, robes, outdoor towels etc provided Nice to be upstairs above ground level for all units. Heated BA floor was an unexpected plus! Staff was awesome, caring and helpful. Check in and out quick and efficient. Entire property well maintained We will come back!
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip: No negative comments or concerns
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Chris P wrote a review Feb 2024
6 contributions
Had to change pitch on second night as first site was dark caustrophobic due to over hanging trees and small space for pitch. We were very close to another small campervan that added to the difficulty. Staff very friendly and found another pitch for us next day. The showers, toilets and kitchen were good. The signage for the pitches was a little confusing and we saw several people driving around twice to find their pitch. It was nice to be provided with picnic benches buy these sèmed to restrict places to manoeuvre a large 7.5m Moho.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Arrive early to avoid the influx of large groups of tour group who are trying to cook and use...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Giovanni C wrote a review Feb 2024
Pegli, Italy122 contributions69 helpful votes
I was there with my wife and we got an entire cottage for us, in the rainforest. There was a little misunderstanding at check-in, ut it was solved promptly. A lot of space and a spa in the garden for our exclusive use. Well organized kitchen and spacious bedroom. Not exactly low price, but it was definitely worthwhile.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Savvy wrote a review Feb 2024
Tauranga, New Zealand18 contributions53 helpful votes
You won't be disappointed, an amazing bush setting with private camping sites, five minute walk to the main eateries and tourist venues. Clean, well maintained and quiet. We stayed at a powered motorhome site which was just perfect, great free wifi also.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Irene A wrote a review Feb 2024
Palo Alto, California83 contributions53 helpful votes
Convenient location near Franz Josef glacier — you can walk to the local grocer and restaurants and some nearby trailheads. We stayed in a Deluxe room which offered plenty of space. The room was clean, modern, comfortable, and we loved having a private hot tub on our deck! Would definitely stay here again and recommend to others.
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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margery H wrote a review Feb 2024
Sydney, Australia138 contributions21 helpful votes
We had a deluxe cabin which was well appointed and the hot tub on the deck a value added but why they were unable to make two single beds out of a king was just silly. The base was suitable but the mattress wasn’t. I ended up sleeping with my friend. At 75 I need my own bed. The Monsoon restaurant in the complex was excellent.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip: The parking under the deluxe cabins in only suitable for small cars
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Jonathan T wrote a review Feb 2024
London, United Kingdom335 contributions156 helpful votes
We stayed in the deluxe “treehouse” style rooms - which were very nice - newly constructed and really made you feel like you were in the forest. The rest of the resort looked a bit like a campsite - mostly young people staying on lower grade accommodation - but still very quiet. Breakfast was utterly chaotic - staff didn’t seem to know what they were doing and had no sense of urgency at all. My wife waited 45 minutes for a bowl of muesli and we just gave up.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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PRICE RANGE
AU$41 - AU$393 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
rainforest retreat hotel franz josef
LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandWest Coast RegionWestland Tai Poutini National ParkFranz Josef
NUMBER OF ROOMS
90
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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RAINFOREST RETREAT (AU$41): 2024 Prices & Reviews (Franz Josef, New Zealand) - Photos of Hotel - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Rainforest Retreat
What are some of the property amenities at Rainforest Retreat?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and a spa.
Which room amenities are available at Rainforest Retreat?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Rainforest Retreat?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at Rainforest Retreat?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Are any cleaning services offered at Rainforest Retreat?
Yes, laundry service and self serve laundry are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Rainforest Retreat?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and German.
Does Rainforest Retreat have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the mountain view available here.
Is Rainforest Retreat accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access and reduced mobility rooms. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.