Huka Lodge has reopened following a $25 million refurbishment.

The 100-year-old luxury lodge on the banks of the Waikato River, just above the Huka Falls, has been closed for the renovation since May 1 last year and opened again today.

The Huka Lodge sits just above the Huka Falls on the Waikato River. Photo / George Apostolidis

It is one of the country’s most iconic luxury lodges and no expense has been spared.

The lodge is owned by KSL Capital Partners, a Colorado investment company and managed by KSL portfolio company Baillie Lodges.

Baillie Lodges founder James Baillie has led the refurbishment, working with Auckland-based Christian Anderson Architects for the building design and partnering with New Zealand-born interior designer Virginia Fisher and landscape designer Suzanne Turley.

There are now 25 suites and two cottages set on 7 hectares of landscaped grounds, about twice the number of rooms since its last renovation in 1984.

In a statement, the lodge owners said it was “affectionately known by Kiwis as ‘the grande dame of luxury lodges’ and as the preferred holiday lodgings for the world’s rockstars and royalty”.

The hedge-lined drive takes guests to the grand front door, and upon entering guests catch a first glimpse of the Waikato River as it flows towards Huka Falls via the floor-to- ceiling windows in the new River Room.

The architecture is designed to bring outside in, connecting guests with the natural surrounds.

A place to relax and unwind. Photo / George Apostolidis

New to the main lodge are an expanded Dining Room and bar which overlook the river and established, parklike gardens, while upstairs private lounging areas include The Loft and Piper Room, designed for intimate dinners, special celebrations or an exclusive meeting.

Guests can step from the River Room onto the outdoor terrace via large French doors, where a double-sided open fire warms lounging areas and tables for al fresco dining and drinks, with views of the Waikato River and its chequered lawn banks.

Set in a “secret” garden and accessed via “a pathway of paradise”, stepping stones sourced from the North Island, new wellness grounds feature a series of huts taking design inspiration from the traditional Kiwi ‘bach’ or holiday house.

They house a gym along with two spa treatment rooms, a sauna, surprise ice contrast shower and a steaming plunge pool.

The dining room. Photo / George Apostolidis

Three new “rare and remarkable” bespoke experiences have been introduced to time with Huka Lodge’s reopening: The Craggy Range Culinary Escape with food, wine and scenic heli flights, the Epic Rotorua culture and adventure day, and the Ultimate Huka Experience with heli lift-off in a northerly or southerly direction, designed to take guests’ experience of Taupō to “spectacular new heights”.

Interior designer Virginia Fisher and landscape designer Suzanne Turley, have previously been involved with Huka Lodge, having been appointed by former, long-term owner Alex van Heeren to direct the luxury lodge’s new product, and look and feel.

Since then, Virginia has led the distinctive style of Huka Lodge with its traditional lodging spirit and interior spaces with signature tartan finishes, while Suzanne has created beautiful, cool-climate gardens, where high hedges, ferned grottos and layered gardens create private outdoor spaces and a seasonally changing profile of plants and flowers.

Baillie said it had been a privilege to have been trusted with the guardianship of Huka Lodge’s heritage and legacy, whilst readying the hundred-year-old lodge for the next century of world-class travel.

Chilling on the deck takes on a new meaning at Huka Lodge. Photo / George Apostolidis

“My wife and business partner Hayley and I first stayed at Huka Lodge in the early 2000s when we were considering plans for Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, and which would become the Baillie Lodges flagship property.

“Huka Lodge, its magnificent natural surrounds, the luxury of its design and the impeccable attention to detail in both amenity and service became a benchmark and central point of reference for us both as we actioned plans for Southern Ocean Lodge.

Wining and dining. Photo / George Apostolidis

“It’s a great personal and professional honour to have completed this important redesign project for such an

iconic property, and I feel it’s a ‘full circle’ moment to have had the opportunity to be involved.”

One of the chalets at Huka Lodge. Photo / George Apostolidis

The Waikato River provides an energy of its own. Photo / George Apostolidis

Huka Lodge general manager Kerry Molloy said he was thrilled to see the new designs come to life.

“What strikes me the most, having had the privilege to lead Huka Lodge for some 11 years, is that the new designs offer more reason for guests to spend time enjoying these beautiful spaces; dining, drinking or relaxing with a book and the view.”

Fisher said it was “a happy collaboration” with James and the Baillie Lodges team, and to present a new-look Huka Lodge to the world.

“Looking back to when I was first commissioned to work on Huka Lodge, it struck me as being small and intimate. It was very simple. And its scale was quite charming. It felt like a home.

“Now, I see Huka Lodge becoming almost truer to its original self. We’re much closer to the water. We’ve still got some strong, intense colours. Again, it still feels very homely.”

Landscape designer Suzanne Turley said she felt fortunate to continue to work on planning the Huka Lodge gardens after 25 years, and the new wellness grounds were a natural addition.

“Huka Lodge is a beautiful, spiritual place, with the Waikato River creating a real energy and lifeforce on the property. For the wellness grounds we’ve created a space that is lush and tranquil and inspires peace.

“We’ve used tree ferns and white-flowered Amelanchier trees for soft, dappled light.”

Van Heeren said he was pleased to see the care given to the refurbishment, and clever design that made the most of the beautiful Waikato River and superb gardens.

“As Huka Lodge enters her second century, it’s timely to have our much-loved grande dame readied for a next generation of global traveller.”