Te Waonui Forest Retreat
The gargantuan Franz Josef Glacier has some delectable company in the form of this gorgeous eco-retreat
Tucked in among the dripping rainforests, the Te Waonui manages the near impossible feat of actually blending in with this pristine landscape. The staff here is highly adept at helping you create an itinerary to see the best of the local sights including the Glader hot pools and the white heron colony at Whataroa. After a day of hiking and birding this is a hotel that’s a genuine pleasure to return to. Dinner in particular is a sybaritic feast of Fiordland lobster nestled on fennel, kaffir lime leaf, popcorn shoot and snow pea salad, citrus vinaigrette, chorizo and anchovy mayonnaise and cod caviar. Afterwards, simply recline on the wool lined mattresses and let the pit-pat of the near constant rains outside lull you into blissful slumber.
