Observation Rock Lodge
Save
Share
7 Leonard Street Oban, Stewart Island 9846 New Zealand
Full view
View all photos (80)80
Dining (15)
Room & Suite (11)
About
#2 of 12 Speciality lodging in Stewart Island
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Secluded island hideaway, fully catered, luxurious wellness retreat - newly opened!Soak up panoramic Paterson Inlet views, stunning sunsets and the hot tub under the stars.Relax while delighting in gourmet meals and service at your stylish, spacious lodge.Private park like gardens and luxuriant native bush setting with prolific birdlife visiting.Private decks, outdoor hot tub, sauna.Courtesy shuttle.Free wireless internet.Close to village, perfect access to walks.Guided activities and sea kayaking options.Perfect for celebrating special events.
Read more
Full view
Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Free breakfast
Airport transportation
Shuttle bus service
Non-smoking hotel
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Hidden Gem
Great View
Location
Full view
46Car recommended
Grade: 46 out of 100
7Restaurantswithin 10 km
9Attractionswithin 10 km
118Reviews0Q+A36Room tips
Reviews
Traveller rating
- 106
- 7
- 2
- 2
- 1
Time of year
Traveller type
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
I really liked the lodge and surrounding bush, bathing in naturally collected rainwater beneath the milky way did wonders for my wellbeing. Annette was very informative and helpful and her skills in the kitchen are an absolute treat. Especially as many of the ingredients are sourced from her own garden and also local kai moana. The beds are so comfortable, and the views are among the best on the island.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Helpful
+1
ORL is a great secluded spot a few mins walk (albeit up a hill!) from the centre of Oban. As a group we took over the whole house and it was a lovely place to stay. Cosy, great views, comfy beds. Annett was a great host (and makes the best porridge!!). Gave us good tips on side trips and accommodated our dates (we stayed either side of the Rakiura walk). The surroundings are gorgeous, complete with bird life and home grown grapes a bonus. It is at the pricey end for Stewart Island but we were so pleased we made the decision to go with this option.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2021Trip type: Travelled with friends
Helpful
Rakiura Stewart Island is a busy place in 2021, with many NZers looking for different places to go, so when we booked in January for a mid-March stay we were lucky to find anything at all. ORL is higher end than we had planned but we decided to stay for 4 nights instead of 6 and enjoy being pampered in a lovely, well-located lodge. Good decision! The room was very comfortable and everything was spotless. We had privacy, heat, beautiful views, and waddled off every morning after fabulous breakfasts. We also chose the dinner option one night and were rewarded with thoughtful, delicious and well-presented food that catered to my complex dietary restrictions. Annett is warm, friendly and provides great advice and company. It was also nice to meet other guests and share stories. The location is fantastic for walking everywhere as well. This is Stewart Island, not New York City, so things are laid back, rustic and charming, not glitzy and glam (I am talking about the whole island now, and all the different accommodation available - if you expect glitz and room service then perhaps go to Queenstown instead? :) ) In short: we will have very happy memories of Annett and the Lodge, and a comfortable, relaxed and enjoyable four days there.…
Read more
Date of stay: March 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: The room in the cottage is more basic, and priced accordingly, but still very private and super...
See more room tips
Helpful
I was relieved to find a room, a bit last minute on a busy night. I stayed in the bedroom at the host's cottage for approx 220 including breakfast. The room was simple but clean and cosy, although a bit cluttered and a few cobwebs in the corners. The pictures online might need updating. I shared the shower with the host, reasonably basic but clean. Annett was friendly and provided plenty of privacy despite sharing the same space. I didn't really see her and all areas were closed off with curtains, which took away from the 'charming cottage' feel and I didn't seem to have access to the lounge. A bit away from the town center but surrounded by greenery and good location to walk to Observation Rock or Golden Bay. Overall simple but descent accommodation. It was within my budget but I don't think it quite hit the mark for this price. On a separate note, I disappointed to hear the host giving tips to guests to hand feed kaka and weka without losing a finger... Please don't feed wildlife :/…
Read more
Date of stay: March 2021Trip type: Travelled solo
Helpful
Over promised and under-delivered We were warmly welcomed to Observation Rock Lodge by Annet who was pleasant and took time to explain the sights and places of interest on the island. Initially, during the booking process when discussing our sleeping arrangements, we were told we had a “private bathroom and toilet”. This turned out to be across a communal hall where other guests were transiting to their room, sometimes often as they got their teas and coffees. I explained I expected an en-suite as this was of utmost importance to me and thought this was a given considering the price. Annet’s demeanor changed markedly – she seemed displeased with my comment. The reason I’m writing this review is that we paid $600 per night for three people (third guest stayed in the cottage) – we stayed two nights. We feel we absolutely did not get our money’s worth, even taking into account the additional costs of electricity and transport for Stewart Island. The “lodge” was a 1980s asbestos-clad house with beautiful gardens. The house interior reflected the time of the build and in no way was it luxurious. Our beds were comfortable and we all slept well on both nights. We were offered an evening meal at $100 per head which we declined. The other guests took the meal option but we felt unwelcome to enter the dining room/lounge area as the door was firmly shut while dining was in progress. We spent our first night huddled in our bedroom. Breakfast was in no way reflective of any luxury – porridge, toast and scrambled eggs, although hearty and sufficient, it was the kind of breakfast I whip up for myself on a daily basis. Also available was weetbix, plus assorted spreads and jams for the toast. These items were still on the table for the next day’s breakfast, having been left in the sun all day and completely uncovered. The coffee was very good but we were not offered anything else for breakfast and having now read some of Annet’s responses to some of her other dissatisfied guests feedback she states that you can request additional items such as pancakes etc; however you wouldn’t know to ask for these as they were never offered. The bathroom was adequate, although very dated with early ‘80s fittings. We don’t think using small scraps of left-over soap is hygienic in these covid times. Annet said on the second day of our stay that she had declined a booking to enable us to have private access to our private bathroom. Had she moved us into the en-suite bedroom, which was now vacant, or the potential booking into the third bedroom, away from our room, she wouldn’t have felt she needed to do this – we don’t actually believe there was a potential booking. We feel we paid a lot of money for no luxury. We believe that the “lodge” in reality is a very average B&B. The stunning 101 reviews all follow a very similar pattern. Is there a check on review authenticity? We could identify more with the negative views that were expressed as this was our experience.…
Read more
Date of stay: February 2021
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: Don't pay till you have stayed
See more room tips
Helpful
LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandSouthland RegionStewart Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
3
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Observation Rock Lodge
Which popular attractions are close to Observation Rock Lodge?
Nearby attractions include Ulva Island (2.8 km), Rakiura Track (4.3 km), and Bunkhouse Theatre (0.5 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Observation Rock Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at Observation Rock Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at Observation Rock Lodge?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Observation Rock Lodge?
Conveniently located restaurants include Church Hill Restaurant, KaiKart Takeaways, and South Sea Hotel dining room and pub.
Does Observation Rock Lodge have an airport shuttle?
Yes, Observation Rock Lodge offers an airport shuttle for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.