Legacy Te Waonui Hotel Franz Josef
4.7
(489)
4.7
(489)
Hotel
Restaurant
About
Te Waonui Forest Retreat is a luxurious accommodation nestled in the beautiful rainforest of Franz Josef. The hotel offers understated rooms with forest views, providing a peaceful and serene atmosphere for guests. The rustic-chic restaurant and bar offer both casual and formal dining experiences, allowing visitors to indulge in delicious cuisine while surrounded by the natural beauty of the West Coast rainforest.Why you should go
- Experience world-class fine dining at The Canopy Restaurant with a 5-course degustation menu
- Enjoy comfortable rooms with rainforest views and modern decor
- Relax in a serene atmosphere surrounded by lush bush
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Highlighted reviews
I stayed for two nights and had an absolutely exceptional experience. The room was superb – spacious, beautifully appointed, and the bed was incredibly comfortable. After a long day of hiking, the bath was a real luxury and much appreciated.
From the moment I arrived, everything ran seamlessly. Check-in was smooth, parking was easy, and every interaction with staff was warm and professional. I want to give special recognition to the young gentleman who checked me in – not only was he welcoming and informative, but he also went above and beyond during my stay.
I had a dinner package included with my booking, but arrived late and wasn’t feeling well enough to dine at the restaurant. He kindly arranged for my meal to be brought to my room later in the evening, which I truly appreciated. That level of thoughtfulness really stood out.
Every aspect of the hotel felt thoughtful and well-executed. Honestly, there’s nothing I can fault. It’s a top-notch stay in Franz Josef and I’d gladly return.
(Separate review for Canopy Restaurant coming – unfortunately, the dining experience didn’t quite match the hotel’s high standard.)
I really want to love this place, but it just falls short. The service is good. All of the staff are very young and inexperienced in life, they make up for that in their enthusiasm. And all the employees seem to be from somewhere else (Romania, India, Germany). It feels a bit like a cruise ship. We didn't find one kiwi on the staff at all.
Anyway, here's the reason for the 3-star review. The value is just not there. We paid roughly about $1100 NZ dollars per night for our room which included breakfast and dinner, which were decent. However, this property is essentially a slightly upgraded roadside motel. To be fair, the rooms look out into a beautiful greenspace and are relatively well-maintained, but the walls are paper thin and you can hear everything your neighbors are doing. We could hear every word of their conversations and their coffee maker at 5.30am. I just expected way more for the price we paid. We have stayed at lots of places in NZ around this price point and you get a more luxurious experience than this.
Stayed two nights in November 2025, very good experience, five stars when compared to other options, clearly the nicest place to stay in the area. Staff is very good, surprisingly so in such a touristed and remote area. Included breakfast is fine. Five-course degustation dinner was surprisingly good with lots of options and the chef's choice chocolate dessert is one of the best desserts I have had anywhere. Rooms are nice and hotel goes the extra mile with the little touches to set itself apart. Rooms are also wonderfully private even with blinds open due to lush central area. Once parked here you can walk to pretty much anywhere in the village, very convenient.
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Know before you go
- Book spa services well in advance as they tend to get fully booked quickly
- If interested in using the spa facilities, inquire about their limited operating hours which may vary daily
- Consider visiting during peak season for better chances of enjoying all available amenities without limitations due to low occupancy periods
- For those sensitive to noise while sleeping, inquire about room options away from potentially loud air conditioning units
Reviews
Te Waonui Forest Retreat is highly praised for its comfortable rooms, restful ambiance, and professional staff. Guests enjoy the serene setting with moonlit nights on the patio, excellent dining experiences including a top-notch steak burger and 5-course dinner, spacious and luxurious rooms with rainforest vibes, modern decor that complements the surroundings, and exceptional service from friendly staff. The hotel offers lovely perks like refillable bathroom toiletries dispensers instead of throwaway packets. While some reviewers mention minor room improvements or missing amenities like a swimming pool or gym, overall guests fondly remember their stays at this fabulous retreat in Franz Josef.Review score
4.7out of 5
5 stars
392
4 stars
64
3 stars
19
2 stars
8
1 star
6
I stayed for two nights and had an absolutely exceptional experience. The room was superb – spacious, beautifully appointed, and the bed was incredibly comfortable. After a long day of hiking, the bath was a real luxury and much appreciated.
From the moment I arrived, everything ran seamlessly. Check-in was smooth, parking was easy, and every interaction with staff was warm and professional. I want to give special recognition to the young gentleman who checked me in – not only was he welcoming and informative, but he also went above and beyond during my stay.
I had a dinner package included with my booking, but arrived late and wasn’t feeling well enough to dine at the restaurant. He kindly arranged for my meal to be brought to my room later in the evening, which I truly appreciated. That level of thoughtfulness really stood out.
Every aspect of the hotel felt thoughtful and well-executed. Honestly, there’s nothing I can fault. It’s a top-notch stay in Franz Josef and I’d gladly return.
(Separate review for Canopy Restaurant coming – unfortunately, the dining experience didn’t quite match the hotel’s high standard.)
I really want to love this place, but it just falls short. The service is good. All of the staff are very young and inexperienced in life, they make up for that in their enthusiasm. And all the employees seem to be from somewhere else (Romania, India, Germany). It feels a bit like a cruise ship. We didn't find one kiwi on the staff at all.
Anyway, here's the reason for the 3-star review. The value is just not there. We paid roughly about $1100 NZ dollars per night for our room which included breakfast and dinner, which were decent. However, this property is essentially a slightly upgraded roadside motel. To be fair, the rooms look out into a beautiful greenspace and are relatively well-maintained, but the walls are paper thin and you can hear everything your neighbors are doing. We could hear every word of their conversations and their coffee maker at 5.30am. I just expected way more for the price we paid. We have stayed at lots of places in NZ around this price point and you get a more luxurious experience than this.
Stayed two nights in November 2025, very good experience, five stars when compared to other options, clearly the nicest place to stay in the area. Staff is very good, surprisingly so in such a touristed and remote area. Included breakfast is fine. Five-course degustation dinner was surprisingly good with lots of options and the chef's choice chocolate dessert is one of the best desserts I have had anywhere. Rooms are nice and hotel goes the extra mile with the little touches to set itself apart. Rooms are also wonderfully private even with blinds open due to lush central area. Once parked here you can walk to pretty much anywhere in the village, very convenient.
Loved our stay at Legacy Te Waonui. The rooms were set in a bush setting so you felt like you were there by yourself, so private. The staff were amazing & very friendly & helpful. The rooms were lovely & clean.
We stayed here for four nights, and could not have had a better experience.
We had a room on the first floor with a balcony. Immaculately clean, with very comfortable beds.
Staff outstanding, very friendly and very helpful. Service was brilliant. Breakfast was lovely, with lots to choose from.
Location is fabulous, and as we were celebrating my mother's birthday, the staff went out of their way to make the stay incredibly special.
If you stay in Franz Josef, be sure to stay here.
Absolutely brilliant experience.
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