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Traditional family operated ski lodge open year round offering rooms ranging from basic bunk style with share bathrooms to queen beds with en suites, All rooms include sheets and duvets. There's a large communal kitchen, dining area and lounge with a fantastic open log fire, perfect for that relaxing evening after a great day in the outdoors. The views are stunning and hard to beat anywhere in the area. Reception hours are 7.30Am- 8pm and late on Friday nights. If you know your expected arrival time we greatly appreciate it if you can let us know. On the odd occasion we may be away from the office (feeding/settling kids, eating, yeah we eat too or just doing some gardening) we will leave keys out, we're never far away and will be "Back Soon". Thank you for your understanding and we sure hope you enjoy your stay and all the area has to offer.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Location
3 Millar Street, National Park Village New Zealand
Pukenui Lodge
35 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
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Lovely place to stay.. Me and husband stay for 3 nights, and was so nice. Has a comfortable bed, and clean private bathroom. This lodge also has a huge common room. Tidy share kitchen with lots of cooking equipments and cutlery. Chris really friendly and helpful, and about the price for the room with private bathroom is definitely affordable. The lodge is close to most popular attraction such as tongariro alpine crossing, mt Ruapehu, also close to the thermal pool at tokaanu. Will be back to stay here again if we go for holiday around this area. Really recommended!!
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Date of stay: April 2021Trip 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.
It’s adequate for a short stay to hike the Tongariro. Definitely a backpackers type of place. Nice that they have a kitchen to use. There are couple of restaurants in walking distance and it’s also in walking distance to the train station. Dated and could be a little cleaner. The person working there (owner?) was very nice. Wish they had a hair dryer in the bathroom.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip 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.
We stayed in Pukenui Lodge just one night before experiencing Tongariro Alpine Crossing. We had a basic but very warm room. The parking was spacious. The owner is actually a record-holder in speed skiing! Thanks again for a warm welcome, Chris!
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip 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.
My partner and I stayed here after purchasing a deal to do the Tongariro crossing from a daily deal site. When I tried to book on multiple occasions there was either no availability or Chris did not return my emails or answer the phone, we ended up booking accommodation through another hotel and completing the crossing without using the voucher. After this I contacted the website where I purchased the deal from to say I had tried to book with no success and had not heard back from him and would like a partial refund. After they contacted him he rung me and stated that he had not received any emails. And that it wasn't up to him to get in touch with people wanting to make bookings. He also stated that a lot of availability had been booked since before Christmas because of school camps that are reoccurring every year. Personally I think there should have been a limit to the amount of vouchers he was allowed to sell if he didn't have availability for all the vouchers. He refused to offer a credit of any kind so my partner and I booked to stay the following weekend and went down for the two nights. Upon arrival we were met by a note saying that someone would be there shortly. We waited around for 15 - 20 minutes with nobody coming to let us check in, we decided to try call the lodge phone number - this rang behind the unattended desk. I left a message for him to return my call to arrange for us to check in as we were going to have dinner and wait for his call. Nobody called us. We arrived back at the lodge after our dinner, still nobody in the office - waited around for another 15-20 minutes before my partner decided to go over to the house and knock on the door. He was told he would be there soon, he was just putting the kids to bed, and didn't we see the note? Very rude - and with no apologies, rooms were basic, I would recommend people stay somewhere else rather than here if you can help it. Quite expensive for not a lot of anything. Will NEVER stay here again and would never reckoned it to anyone else.
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Date of stay: April 2014Trip 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.
Response from Pukelodg, Manager at Pukenui Lodge
Responded 7 Nov 2014
Hi, hard not too remember you, I'm pretty sure I used much more colourful words regarding your attitude and demands. let's put this in perspective, Firstly I shouldn't need to apologise for feeding and bathing my kids and yes knocking on the door demanding anything with a 2 month old and a 3 year old in the bath is likely to get a mixed response. I did explain to your partner I would be over soon. Yes you went to dinner and I had been to the lodge checking in other clients so your a bit misplaced in your claims. As for not replying to emails and not receiving them that's rubbish, you emailed a few times demanding a particular date we could not do, this was made quite clear yet you continually insisted this was the ONLY days you could do? As you state you tried to book so contact was definitely made a few times. Really we couldn't offer much with such a demand if you wouldn't consider other dates. The voucher conditions are very clear, no refunds and check availability prior to purchase (this you obviously did not do). Yes we have a lot of groups and these book year in year out and our booking system shows this well in advance and when the vouchers went on sale all the blocked out dates we we'll evident, you would have seen this had you looked. We only sold 60 vouchers so your claim of limits and availability is unfounded and misleading, in the month it took you to book since purchasing the voucher over 1500 possible bed nights had passed and there were plenty of other options going forwards. We even extended the voucher expiry to accommodate those that simply forgot to book in time and yes we take bookings from many online options, to expect us to not take bookings until you book is a bit shortsighted and selfish. You still eventually did book available dates which is why you stayed correct, so once again the claim of availability verses voucher numbers is just a beat up load of rubbish as there was availability and your original dates were not the only days you could stay. To true you sent the voucher company a scathing email, the funny thing is they backed me when all your emails and correspondence was relayed to them, I'd love to post those emails here. Quite expensive..lol..you paid $220 (50% discount) for 2 nights, 4 breakfasts, transport for 2 people which you choose not too use and we upgraded you to a en suite room. I guess your expectations were for champagne and style, sorry we couldn't live up to those expectations but that's not what we offer at our family lodge and there's nowhere we claim to offer this. Really the bottom line is for once you couldn't get exactly what you wanted and this was not something you could accept, for that we apologise and wish you we'll in forward planning your future travels.
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Fantastic view looking at the mountain while having dinner. Communal kitchen complete with good facilities. Most important, bed and pillow is comfortable and ensuite is clean. Heaps to eat for breakfast.
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Date of stay: February 2015
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
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.
The people managing this hostel are the moodiest people you will meet in New Zealand. They use rude language in front of their guests while also patronizing them. Whenever I could, I avoided conversing with them. The man running the front desk was never at his station, so forget getting any questions answered. To top it off, the owner actually accused my friends and me of leaving a stack of dishes in the sink. This accusation was completely unfounded since we hadn’t been there all day thus the dishes were clearly not from us!
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Date of stay: December 2015
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip 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.
Response from Pukelodg, Manager at Pukenui Lodge
Responded 30 May 2016
Hi, I'm assuming you would call your mum moody as well when she asks you to clean up. I'm not too sure about the rude language that would be a rarity. As for patronising.. Hmm you are important, don't be mistaken, So is washing dishes and keeping things tidy. It's expected of the groups to clean up the kitchen after themselves, not much to ask really. Unfortunately in today's world the phrase "it's not mine" is all too common. Guess what the dishes are not mine either. Sorry you took the dishes request the wrong way, I did stack them and recall the day well. The buses don't arrive until mid afternoon and you guys left your breakfast dishes. The 2 boys (perhaps that's you) did exactly the same the next morning and needed reminding again. Quite often than not, its people who don't use dishes that end up cleaning up after the others, the drivers request this as a group before the bus departs. Like you say "your a group", so perhaps you should moan at the culprits that are lazy rather than the messenger. As for reception the hours are posted and we are never far away, it's not attended 24/7 and is not a information centre although we are more than happy to assist with local activities etc and usually go out of the way to do this for guests. Your continued request for crossing info wasn't going to get the desired answer the night before when it was made quite clear no weather call would be made until morning. Which we did at 7am (same time I stacked those dishes up as you all bolted out the door). They may not have specifically been Your dishes but they did belong to more than one of your group, I'm guessing you didn't do them after all but somebody did and that person deserves a pat on the back, thank you to them.
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The chef literally defended Hitler at great length to several guests in the kitchen. I won't repeat exactly what was said, but I wish I hadn't had to hear it.
The actual facilities were alright, but this experience colored my perception of the place.
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Date of stay: May 2016
Value
Rooms
Service
Trip 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.
Response from Pukelodg, Manager at Pukenui Lodge
Responded 17 May 2016
My apologies for our staff speaking in this manner regardless of perceived knowledge of history, opinions, or personal beliefs. Unfortunately I was not present at the time on Sunday and not sure what was overheard of the discussion that came about or what was actually being discussed. Although quite obviously your difference of opinion in regards to a particularly delicate subject by a group of adults with their own views. My sincere apologies for any offense taken. I will be certain to take this up with the staff concerned. It’s good to hear you enjoyed the rest of your stay and our facilities. We wish you all the best for your further travels.
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I went here as part as a Stray tour and the service was terrible. The owner kept us waiting to check in while he ran personal errands and upon his return sat in the car on the phone ignoring us. The chef was rude and made inappropriate comments to members of our group. When asked where the owner was to ask a question we were told the owner is with his kids which is more important than you. One of the people in our group was given the wrong wifi details and then was made to feel stupid when she questioned it. I don't know whether it's because we were a group of backpackers but these people don't seem to even realize they're running a business and do not value custom. Avoid.
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Date of stay: April 2016
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.
Response from Pukelodg, Manager at Pukenui Lodge
Responded 17 May 2016
Hi, thank you for your feedback. I do recall this particular afternoon and checking the manifest you arrived on March 10th @3pm; this was the date you actually stayed. Firstly my apologies if I seemed a little testy on the day with this situation. Your custom is appreciated and after 20 years in business I’m pretty sure we have realised we are. We really need to look at why I was on “errands” (picking up my 5 year old daughter from school is hardly a errand, more a necessity. kids do need parental protection that’s our duty to the little darlings and it’s through this nurturing they survive to discover the world), yes it took me 10-15 mins and the driver was advised of this prior to arrival. Yes on arrival back to the lodge I spent a couple of minutes with the following night’s driver discussing passenger’s details. Sorry but this was unfortunate timing but also unavoidable that I was called and answered right at that moment, the drivers have very slim windows to do this while driving and arranging passenger requirements etc along with disruptive cell phone signals. Unfortunately Your driver choose to bring the bus in at this exact time he knew I would not be here, why I couldn’t tell you other than perhaps the day just wasn’t going as well as it should have with the much anticipated crossing plans cancelled etc. In hindsight this was a breakdown in communication, and this should not and would generally never happen. We have been here for every bus arrival every day and this is communicated constantly between us and drivers to ensure smooth checkins sometimes 4-5 times a day (except this particular day). To compound the problem some of the group went on a free-for-all, I’m not sure where in the world one would think this is normal to help oneself to a hostel (yes I had a moan, you could say it’s just a little disrespectful to help yourself to someone’s home). Your driver would normally ask for a little patience not instruct you to help yourself, perhaps he did ask. This free for all brought about more confusion, fuss and un-needed stress and the resulting effect was some guests did not know their allocated rooms resulting in customers without beds due to others impatience. Thankfully we had spare rooms and chalets etc to spread people around. Apologies for a little moan we did sort the situation as quickly as possible. I Agree far from the best wording at the time by staff who should have just replaced the free voucher and moved on. It’s very rare the vouchers details are faulty but it can happen. As for the kitchen staff comments please be assured I will take this onboard and discuss, my sincere apologies for this.
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Using a grab1 deal we were booked into the Pukenui Lodge for 2 nights so we could walk the Tongariro Crossing. Room booking was for 4 people, layout was 2 sets of bunks. Bathrooms were shared between all rooms. Bedding was clean but quite thin matresses over metal bunk frames so not overly comfortable and bunks moved about when people on top bunk moved about while sleeping. Room itself was very small and all four of us could not stand about in the room at the same time so could not see how you could be in there with all your ski gear during the winter months. Showers were great though and at the end of the day, really nice to use after walking the Crossing. We chose to drive home rather than use the second night.
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Date of stay: February 2015
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Trip 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.
Before I stayed at Pukenui Lodge I read a few reviews that made me uneasy about whether the Lodge was a good choice. What didn't help was I tried a couple of times to ring with a query but got a voice message. I left a message the first time I rang, and very disappointed my call wasn't responded to. However, my stay was perfect. I went with a group of 7 altogether (to walk the Tongariro Crossing). We used 3 rooms, and we all enjoyed our stay. Very much a backpackers type lodge with shared spaces but very clean, tidy and helpful owners - everything was easy. Importantly the shower was also great!! Yes, busy owners caring for pre-schoolers at the same time, but I understand that (still just a shame the phone message wasn't responded to). For a simple weekend to the mountains this was a great place to stay. Located right next to a bar/restaurant as well.
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Date of stay: February 2015
Rooms
Location
Service
Trip 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.
There are more places to choose from in the National Park Village area.
PRICE RANGE
AU$88 - AU$119 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandManawatu-Wanganui RegionNational Park Village
NUMBER OF ROOMS
20
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, 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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