This place has two things going for it - the position, which is simply stunning, and the friendliness of the staff, which is fine. After this, there is little to say that is positive. We found that the Reception Staff were not all fluent in English, which led to confusion and an inability to discuss issues. The term "Village" is simply absurd; it is rather a hotel complex of various types of rooms with nothing special about any of them going by what other people had to say. There is virtually no choice of where to eat and be warned; if you intend to self cater you must bring everything you need from over 60 kilometres away because you can't buy anything there. We stayed for one night (quite a common thing, I imagine) and were unable to visit the famous restaurant because it was booked out for a Wedding. This is simply unbelevable, unacceptable and utterly incompetent. Instead, we were directed (at an unsuitable hour, presumably because the coach parties were all put in during sensible hours) to a buffet which was potentially fair to good but was actually very unappetising because the staff seemed incapable of maintaining it to an acceptable standard after it had been used by earlier guests. The cost of this inferior buffet was enormous - the biggest (and actually the only) rip off we experienced in NZ. The problem is that you simply have to visit this place because of its iconic status - but if I were you I would stay somewhere else and do it as a day trip, at least until they find someone competent to run this potentially wonderful place.

This hotel complex is pretty much the only game around. It's a hotel complex with tourist grade rooms and large groups coming and going. The rooms are okay and nothing more as we expected. It did the job and one should not expect more.
The complex is large with a movie theater showing films of interest such as the life story of Sir Edmond Hillary the great New Zealand mountain climber. There is a small museum dedicated to his life as well. The theater also transforms into a planetarium and 3D theater for other shows. It's all very helpful if you are interested in the local environment.
Staff are helpful if a bit under-experienced but they got the job done with smiles.
Our main problem was the food. The Panorama restaurant, their upscale choice was exemplary. However, their regular dining buffet at breakfast and dinner, where most travellers would dine, was disappointing. The food was mostly without much flavor and was designed to please as many travelers from as many places as possible. We tasted virtually all of it but found little to recommend.
Mt. Cook is a great place to visit and this hotel will not disappoint if one doesn't expect too much.

We stayed at The Hermitage in January 2012. We were very excited as it has an amazing location and advertises itself as a bit special. We booked a chalet at $269 AUD for the night, so were expecting something pretty good. We were so disappointed. The chalet was totally dated, the facilities were average and it wasn't clean. Having paid so much, we rang reception and asked to be moved to the main hotel. They tried to sell us a Mount Cook view room for over $300, despite the fact it was extremely cloudy and you couldn't see the mountain! We settled for a normal room with was $209 (and previously had been advertised as not available on the website). The room was fine, clean and spacious, apart from the bathroom which was tiny.

We ate in the buffet restaurant but ordered from the al a carte Panorama menu. We were supposed to eat in the Panarama restaurant but there was a wedding on, so we had to sit next door. The food was good, although my main course came out cold.

Overall I just expected a bit more. The Hermitage monopolises the trade in the area, being the only hotel really, so its like they think they don't have to make an effort. It's also massively overpriced. Probably wouldn't go back.

We had previously stayed here in 2008 and had an absolutely fantastic stay (although the food could be better then).

These days things have really slipped. The price is even more but the experience was no where near worth the money we paid. The room was not as clean, the overall service by the staff was terrible.

The only thing that was better was the food. However that was only in the Panorama room. The buffet is not worth the money you pay. Seriously eat elsewhere if this is the option you are considering.

I wouldn't stay there again, unless there was new mangagement in place, and wouldn't recommend it. What you are really paying for is the amazing view from the room, which if the view is hidden could be a big bummer.

The views are amazing, however, and do go to Mt Cook area, it is truly amazing!