CAN'T WE JUST STAY HERE FOREVER? PRETTY PLEEEEESE?
08 JULY 2022
Messy hair, don't care
A Little History Lesson For Ya
The Hermitage Hotel in located in the Mount Cook National Park in the South Island of New Zealand and is a true gem of a destination, offering visitors a chance to experience some of the most breathtaking natural beauty in the world while enjoying the utmost in luxury and comfort. If you haven't stayed here before, you need to at least once in your life!
The first Hermitage was built in 1884 by White Horse Hill, under the direction of Frank Huddleston, a surveyor and artist. Huddleston was appointed ranger for the Mount Cook area to protect local vegetation from destruction. The initial accommodation was a small cob building on twelve hectares of land near the base of the Mueller Glacier. Huddleston sold the land and hotel to the Mount Cook-Hermitage Company in 1885, which aimed to create a Swiss-style alpine village. The company ran horse-drawn coaches from the railhead at Fairlie Creek to the Hermitage Hotel. The New Zealand government took over the company in 1896.
In 1906, the Mount Cook Motor Company began running service cars to the Hermitage. A second Hermitage was built in 1914, controlled and promoted by the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts. The Mount Cook Motor Company leased the property in 1921 and expanded the hotel and offered package tours. The company was renamed as the Mount Cook and Southern Lakes Tourism Company in the 1930s and returned the Hermitage to the government in 1944.
In 1957, the second Hermitage was destroyed in a fire and a new hotel was built on the same site and opened in 1958. In 1990, the government sold the Tourism Hotel Corporation to a US-based company, which was later purchased by Trojan Holdings, a New Zealand tourism company. The Hermitage is still under Trojan ownership and now features a collection of accommodation, dining, and activities, including the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. This collection, along with other operators in the National Park, make up the Mount Cook Village.
The first Hermitage was built in 1884 by White Horse Hill, under the direction of Frank Huddleston, a surveyor and artist. Huddleston was appointed ranger for the Mount Cook area to protect local vegetation from destruction. The initial accommodation was a small cob building on twelve hectares of land near the base of the Mueller Glacier. Huddleston sold the land and hotel to the Mount Cook-Hermitage Company in 1885, which aimed to create a Swiss-style alpine village. The company ran horse-drawn coaches from the railhead at Fairlie Creek to the Hermitage Hotel. The New Zealand government took over the company in 1896.
In 1906, the Mount Cook Motor Company began running service cars to the Hermitage. A second Hermitage was built in 1914, controlled and promoted by the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts. The Mount Cook Motor Company leased the property in 1921 and expanded the hotel and offered package tours. The company was renamed as the Mount Cook and Southern Lakes Tourism Company in the 1930s and returned the Hermitage to the government in 1944.
In 1957, the second Hermitage was destroyed in a fire and a new hotel was built on the same site and opened in 1958. In 1990, the government sold the Tourism Hotel Corporation to a US-based company, which was later purchased by Trojan Holdings, a New Zealand tourism company. The Hermitage is still under Trojan ownership and now features a collection of accommodation, dining, and activities, including the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. This collection, along with other operators in the National Park, make up the Mount Cook Village.
Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain
Best Room View In New Zealand
Checking in was easy and the staff were super friendly and lovely and made us feel so welcome - we felt like old friends with all the staff we met! Everyone seemed genuinely happy to be there and maybe it was because it was a quiet time in New Zealand that they weren't so busy and overwhelmed with work.
We were so excited to see our room and the views it offered, that we may have let out a little squeal of excitement upon entering (here's looking at you, Lath). We requested to be put on the highest floor of the hotel (10th floor, baby!) and it was worth it as we had uninterrupted views of the National Park and our good friend Mt Cook. The room was spacious enough for the four of us, with two comfy queen beds, a couch for relaxing, and a telescope for checking out Mt Cook. The views were so mesmerizing, we barely even turned on the TV. The bathroom clean and a decent size and it had good shower pressure.
The only downside was that there was no room service, but honestly, we were glad there wasn't because it meant we got to indulge in the delicious buffet downstairs which we would have never experienced if we'd been able to order food to our room. More on that soon!
We were so excited to see our room and the views it offered, that we may have let out a little squeal of excitement upon entering (here's looking at you, Lath). We requested to be put on the highest floor of the hotel (10th floor, baby!) and it was worth it as we had uninterrupted views of the National Park and our good friend Mt Cook. The room was spacious enough for the four of us, with two comfy queen beds, a couch for relaxing, and a telescope for checking out Mt Cook. The views were so mesmerizing, we barely even turned on the TV. The bathroom clean and a decent size and it had good shower pressure.
The only downside was that there was no room service, but honestly, we were glad there wasn't because it meant we got to indulge in the delicious buffet downstairs which we would have never experienced if we'd been able to order food to our room. More on that soon!
Get In Ma Belly
The hotel has a few dining options that are open to everyone, not just hotel guests. It's the perfect place to warm up in the winter and cool down in the summer.
We sat outside to take in the amazing views and fresh, crisp air while we waited for our food. It would be incredible to be there when the area is covered in snow! Imagine a hot chocolate, a burger and a view of the snowy mountains... now that's what I call a slice of heaven.
The Sir Edmund Hillary Cafe & Bar has a huge range of cabinet food and drinks, including sandwiches, wraps, cakes, sweet slices, smoothies, pizzas, burgers, and more. It's like a buffet for your taste buds.
Speaking of buffets, we love a good one and it's safe to say that the best we have ever had is at the Alpine Restaurant in the hotel. The food was so delicious, we loaded up our plates like there was no tomorrow and ate until we couldn't eat anymore. Bella was like a kid in a candy store with the hot smoked salmon and I couldn't get enough of the crisp and fresh salads.
The quality of the food was top-notch and there were only 4 tables booked so it was a quite evening which we really enjoyed. The staff were incredible, they were quick to replace any trays that were looking empty and our server became a friend by the end of the night.
At one point, Sienna had a little mishap with her bowl of ice cream and jelly beans, but before we could even blink, about 6 staff were already cleaning it up and giving her a new plate - it was like a well-oiled machine.
I'm not sure how much food we all ate, but I'm surprised we managed to roll out of bed the next day!
We sat outside to take in the amazing views and fresh, crisp air while we waited for our food. It would be incredible to be there when the area is covered in snow! Imagine a hot chocolate, a burger and a view of the snowy mountains... now that's what I call a slice of heaven.
The Sir Edmund Hillary Cafe & Bar has a huge range of cabinet food and drinks, including sandwiches, wraps, cakes, sweet slices, smoothies, pizzas, burgers, and more. It's like a buffet for your taste buds.
Speaking of buffets, we love a good one and it's safe to say that the best we have ever had is at the Alpine Restaurant in the hotel. The food was so delicious, we loaded up our plates like there was no tomorrow and ate until we couldn't eat anymore. Bella was like a kid in a candy store with the hot smoked salmon and I couldn't get enough of the crisp and fresh salads.
The quality of the food was top-notch and there were only 4 tables booked so it was a quite evening which we really enjoyed. The staff were incredible, they were quick to replace any trays that were looking empty and our server became a friend by the end of the night.
At one point, Sienna had a little mishap with her bowl of ice cream and jelly beans, but before we could even blink, about 6 staff were already cleaning it up and giving her a new plate - it was like a well-oiled machine.
I'm not sure how much food we all ate, but I'm surprised we managed to roll out of bed the next day!
Menu from the cafe
There are plenty of seats inside to eat and warm up in winter
Dinner at the Hermitage with an incredible view
The buffet was sooo fresh and delicious!
The salads were fresh and crisp
There was plenty of fresh seafood
Sir Edmund Hillary Centre
The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre is located within the Hermitage Hotel and is dedicated to the life and legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary, the famous New Zealand mountaineer and philanthropist.
The center features interactive exhibits and films that tell the story of Sir Edmund Hillary's life, from his early days in New Zealand to his pioneering achievements in climbing and exploration, such as becoming the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest (or was it Tenzing?Hmmm). The center also showcases artifacts from Sir Edmund Hillary's expeditions, including equipment and photographs.
There's a 3D theater that takes you on a virtual reality journey to the top of Mount Everest, making you feel the excitement of the climb and the beauty of the Himalayas. It was closed when we were visiting but it looks really fun!
It was nice to wander around the centre and the girls really enjoyed looking at the vintage machinery. It's the only thing in the Mount Cook National Park that's inside, so if the weather's poop or you're sick of the sunshine (said no one ever), it's a great place for everyone to enjoy and do something interesting.
The center features interactive exhibits and films that tell the story of Sir Edmund Hillary's life, from his early days in New Zealand to his pioneering achievements in climbing and exploration, such as becoming the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest (or was it Tenzing?Hmmm). The center also showcases artifacts from Sir Edmund Hillary's expeditions, including equipment and photographs.
There's a 3D theater that takes you on a virtual reality journey to the top of Mount Everest, making you feel the excitement of the climb and the beauty of the Himalayas. It was closed when we were visiting but it looks really fun!
It was nice to wander around the centre and the girls really enjoyed looking at the vintage machinery. It's the only thing in the Mount Cook National Park that's inside, so if the weather's poop or you're sick of the sunshine (said no one ever), it's a great place for everyone to enjoy and do something interesting.
Get Ya Walk On
There are so many incredible walks and hikes to do in the Mount Cook National Park and most of them are only a short drive from the Hermitage Hotel. The views are out of this world and you don't have to walk far to experience them. We have done all the walks with the girls at different ages with Sienna being as young as 2.
Check out our favourite here:
Click here to read our full blog on the Hooker Valley Track - 3 hour return
Click here to read our full blog on the Tasman View Glacier Track - 30 minutes return
Click here to read our full blog on the Kea Point Track - 1 hour return
Check out our favourite here:
Click here to read our full blog on the Hooker Valley Track - 3 hour return
Click here to read our full blog on the Tasman View Glacier Track - 30 minutes return
Click here to read our full blog on the Kea Point Track - 1 hour return
The Kea Point Track
Know Before You Go
- Book well in advance, they can get really busy, especially in school holidays and over Christmas
- Check that the roads are clear in winter as they can close in bad weather
- The cafe at the Hermitage is now cashless
- The rooms are a good size for families
- The hotel is the only place for food and drink in the area
- You don't need to be staying at the hotel to go to the cafe or go to the Sir Ed Centre
- For more info, prices and hours click here
Mappy McMap Face
Getting There
The Hermitage is 1 hour and 10-minutes from Tekapo, 4 hours from Christchurch and 3 hours and 10-minutes from Queenstown.
When you get to into the Mount Cook National Park, head along State Highway 80 until you reach Mount Cook Road and turn right. Follow it along until you reach the Hermitage Hotel.
When you get to into the Mount Cook National Park, head along State Highway 80 until you reach Mount Cook Road and turn right. Follow it along until you reach the Hermitage Hotel.
Conclusion
The Hermitage Hotel is a fantastic destination for anyone visiting Mount Cook National Park. The hotel offers a range of dining options, including a delicious buffet that will make your taste buds do the cha-cha and a variety of cabinet food at the Sir Edmund Hillary Cafe & Bar that will make you want to kiss the chef (just don't do it...it's weird). The food is high-quality and the views from the hotel's dining area are breathtaking. The hotel rooms are also beautifully designed and offer amazing views of Mt Cook that will make you want to stay foreverrrrrrr.
The hotel's location in the heart of the national park makes it the perfect base for exploring the area, whether you're a nature lover, a hiker, or just someone looking to relax and take in the stunning scenery. The hotel is like a little oasis in the middle of the mountains, a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and just enjoy the beauty of nature.
The hotel's location in the heart of the national park makes it the perfect base for exploring the area, whether you're a nature lover, a hiker, or just someone looking to relax and take in the stunning scenery. The hotel is like a little oasis in the middle of the mountains, a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and just enjoy the beauty of nature.
Gallery of Hermitage Hotel
Check out the rest of the awesomeness that didn't make it to the main blog but deserves to be shown.
More to do in the South Island
NEW ZEALAND ALPINE LAVENDER FARM
CANTERBURY Lavender ice cream, cute bikes and rows of lavender near the beautiful Mt Cook and Lake Pukaki - what a dream!
|
KEA POINT TRACK
CANTERBURY
Discover the hidden gems of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park on the 1-hour Kea Point Track. You won't be disappointed! |
TASMAN GLACIER VIEWPOINT TRACK
CANTERBURY Walk the Tasman Glacier View Track and witness the stunning beauty of the largest glacier in New Zealand at Mt Cook.
|
SEND US A MESSAGE, WE LOVE GETTING MAIL! |
DISCOVER |
FOLLOW USBORING (BUT IMPORTANT LEGAL) STUFF |