Rotorua, New Zealand
Treetops Lodge & Estate -
Wilderness sporting estate
Wilderness sporting estate
The lodge runs on the American sporting tradition, hosting just 36 guests across private trout streams and native bush.
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Trout fly-fishing and seventy kilometres of wilderness trails cross the private estate.
Notable
Guided forest walks forage native horopito and kawakawa leaves for evening lodge dinners.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Twenty-five minutes from Rotorua, the Treetops estate covers 2,500 acres of working farmland, trout streams, and thousand-year-old native bush.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
The estate sits beneath the Horohoro Bluffs, twenty minutes south of Rotorua's active geothermal springs.
The rooms
Standalone villas look straight into native bush through floor-to-ceiling glass, with deep armchairs beside open fireplaces.
The spa
Cedar mineral hot tubs steam beneath native tree ferns, and spa treatments draw on indigenous Maori healing traditions.
At the table
The kitchen prepares four-course dinners from estate-reared game and garden produce, served beside the glowing brick fireplace.
How it began
Founder John Sax acquired the land in 1986, planting 70,000 native trees to revive the bush before opening the lodge.
Rotorua
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.