When I booked this hotel it was one of the cheapest in Lake Tekapo and I didn’t hold out much for the accommodation. But check out the view!
Prices in Lake Tekapo were crazy. It's the half way mark between Christchurch and Queenstown. You could do the whole drive in one day (about 7-8 hours), but we thought (and a lot of others do apparently as well, that it would be nice to stop half way in the quaint little town of Lake Tekapo.
Prices for hotels ranged from $280 to $900 a night. Really!!! That’s crazy for a town that has a population of 369 people. It's not that big, but yes it’s a stunning lake and a great spot to star gaze at night. But wow, that’s bloody expensive!
The lake itself is stunning blue lake and was picturesque however there really isn’t much there except the church and Mt John mountain summit (and hikes) which is a must do thing in Lake Tekapo. Why is the lake so blue? It's created by rock flour from surrounding glaciers. The glaciers in the headwaters of Lake Tekapo grind rock into a fine dust on their journey down towards the lake. This rock flour is suspended in the water and causes the magnificent turquoise colour.
The church is probably New Zealand's most photographed church as it sits quietly on the edge of the lake, and tourists are drawn to it all day, every day, particularly at sunset. It's the Church of The Good Shepherd which holds interdenominational services.
So, back to the Lake Tekapo Village motel was great. A wonderful husband and wife team are your hosts and they were so welcoming and happy to give you the local run down, restaurant recommendations and things to do. They really made our stay.
The room itself was great, We were really surprise. The room was well appointed, with a lounge, kitchenette and comfy bed. We had an upstairs room with lake view. The bathroom was spotlessly clean, as was the whole apartment. We rarely stay at motels, as generally they are not to the standard of a 3-4 Star hotel, yet Lake Tekapo Village Motel was well and truely up there and explains why they get good reviews.
Can’t fault Lake Tekapo Village Motel it was great, however beware restaurant offerings were limited and closed around 8pm (we were there in summer, so it might be different in winter). Great for an overnight stop and the only place to stay is Lake Tekapo Village Motel.
There are heaps of walks (Mackenzie Basin walking tracks) to do around the area and you should also go up Mt John to check out the observatory. You can go stargazing at night. Lake Tekapo is part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, making it the perfect spot for stargazing
w: laketekapo.com
p: +64 3 6806 808
e: stay@laketekapo.com
a: Lake Tekapo Village Motel, Village CentreState Highway 8, Lake Tekapo 7945, New Zealand