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River Valley Lodge

3.0 star property
Travelers find a peaceful riverside retreat where garden terraces invite relaxation and local cuisine delights, with horseback riding and rafting nearby

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River Valley Lodge sits by flowing waters where guests unwind on the garden terrace or book a rejuvenating sports massage at the spa. The River Valley Kitchen serves local flavors, while horseback riding and rafting are steps away. In-room WiFi keeps everyone connected.

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Spa
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Breakfast available

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 1 of 1 room

View all photos for Standard Double or Twin Room, Valley View, Garden Area

Premium bedding, individually decorated, individually furnished

Standard Double or Twin Room, Valley View, Garden Area

Highlights

Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Heating
Full-sized refrigerator/freezer
Premium bedding
Heated bathroom floor
Private bathroom
Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

About the neighborhood

Located in Pukeokahu, River Valley Lodge is in a rural area and on a river. Taihape Gumboot is a local landmark, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Mt Stewart Reserve and Mangaweka Adventure Co -. Take an opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like horse riding. Visit our Pukeokahu travel guide
View more Lodges in Pukeokahu
Map
266 Mangahoata Road RD2, Pukeokahu, 4792

What's nearby

  • Mt Stewart Reserve
    57 min drive - 30.8 km
  • Taihape Gumboot
    57 min drive - 31.5 km
  • Taihape Town Hall
    57 min drive - 31.6 km

About this property

River Valley Lodge

Lodge by the river
A terrace, a coffee shop/cafe, and a garden are just a few of the amenities provided at River Valley Lodge. Active travelers can enjoy fishing, rafting, and mountain biking at this lodge. For some rest and relaxation, visit the sauna or hot tub, and indulge in a massage. The on-site local cuisine restaurant, The River Valley Kitchen, offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In addition to laundry facilities and a fireplace in the lobby, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
You'll also enjoy perks such as:
  • Free self parking
  • Cooked-to-order breakfast (surcharge), bike rentals, and an area shuttle
  • 2 meeting rooms, a banquet hall, and coffee/tea in the lobby
Room features
All guestrooms are individually furnished, and boast comforts such as premium bedding, in addition to amenities like free WiFi.
Extra conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Free tea bags/instant coffee and electric kettles
  • Bathrooms with heated floors and eco-friendly toiletries
  • Communal kitchens, full-sized refrigerators/freezers, and microwaves

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Area shuttle (surcharge) up to 30 km
  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily cooked-to-order breakfast available 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee: NZD 26 for adults and NZD 13 for children
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Restaurants on site

  • The River Valley Kitchen

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals
  • Fishing
  • Horseback riding/rentals
  • Hot tub
  • Mountain biking
  • Rafting
  • Sauna

Family friendly

  • Children's games
  • Children's toys
  • In-room full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • In-room microwave
  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Shared microwave
  • Shared refrigerator

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • 2 meeting rooms
  • 75 square feet of conference space
  • Business center

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • On a river
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Spa

  • Massage
  • Spa services

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator (single-level property)
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible public washroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
  • Wheelchair-accessible spa
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking

More

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • At least 80% of food locally-sourced
  • Banquet hall
  • Communal living room
  • Comprehensive food waste policy
  • Comprehensive recycling policy
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • Local culture and ecosystem education
  • Locally-owned and organized tours and activities
  • No plastic coffee stirrers
  • No plastic drinking straws
  • No plastic soft drink bottles
  • No plastic water bottles
  • Reusable cups
  • Reusable tableware
  • Vegan dining options
  • Vegetarian dining options

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Heated bathroom floor
  • Private bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • Griddle
  • Microwave
  • Shared kitchen access
  • Stovetop
  • Tea bags/instant coffee
  • Toaster

More

  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Heating
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Water-efficient toilets

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you arrive at the property after hours, you'll need to check in at an alternate location: [Bar]
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Renovations and closures

The property is closed between July 12 and July 28.

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for NZD 25.0 per day

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: approximately NZD 26 for adults and NZD 13 for children
  • Rollaway bed fee: NZD 25.0 per day

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
This property uses a grey water recycling system and eco-friendly cleaning products
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Reservations are required for massage services; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

National rating

Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities, and services.

Property is also known as

River Valley Lodge Taihape
River Valley Taihape
River Valley Lodge Lodge
River Valley Lodge Pukeokahu
River Valley Lodge Lodge Pukeokahu

Frequently asked questions

Is River Valley Lodge pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at River Valley Lodge?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at River Valley Lodge?

Check-out is at 10 AM.

Where is River Valley Lodge located?

Situated on a river, this lodge is within 20 mi (32 km) of Mt Stewart Reserve, Taihape Town Hall, and Taihape Gumboot. Mangaweka Adventure Co - and National Army Museum Te Mata Toa are also within 32 mi (52 km).

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Reviews

River Valley Lodge Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

8.8

Cleanliness

7.6

Location

8.8

Staff & service

8.6

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 15 out of 23 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 23 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 23 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Karsten

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was so friendly and the room was so cozy and smelled amazing! I will definitely be planning a longer stay in the future to enjoy more of the lodge and river!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Charles

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It simply surpassed my expectations in every way - very friendly staff and it’s in a simply stunning location. I plan to go back - frequently!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Helen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic stay, beautiful surrounds & great staff. The food was phenominal
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bo

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A piece of paradise - very good for the soul. The food is absolutely amazing, the scenery is out of this world and all the staff is very welcoming and accommodating. Highly recommended.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021

8/10 Good

CorrieandZettie, Marton, New Zealand

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location. Wonderful staff. No tv in bedroom which was FANTASTIC!! Stone throw away from river. Had a noisy, but friendly stag party. Thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Met nice people.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Fiona

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Wonderful

This was a lovely place to stay, lovely staff, nestled in nature, with the bush and river. Well off the beaten track! The food was great, the service was excellent.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

KS, Vancouver, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A bit of a trek but a great location! I would come back.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Thabani

Amazing location

Amazing location: in beautiful lush forest, next to a river!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2018

8/10 Good

Lisa, Auckalnd

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Lovely spot on the river

We booked the family room for a night. It was good value for a room which easily fit our whole family and had a private bathroom. There was a bus load of backpackers in at the same time and we enjoyed the lively atmosphere that they created in the shared areas while we played board games and cards. The food was awesome, Roast for dinner with chocolate brownies for desert and a cooked breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

舒適雙人床

空間大、乾淨、但不夠暖氣
Stayed 1 night in May 2018

8/10 Good

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Perfect stay for wonderful white water rafting

My wife and I booked white water rafting trip starting at 8:15. We stayed overnight as there aren't many other hotels in the area. First, the road to get there is winding and goes around lots of hills. We trekked it during nighttime and I would try to avoid that if possible - it was a bit scary and rabbits popped up multiple times to try and run to their death. The final stretch of road to get to the hotel is a one lane gravel road. We arrived fairly late, the front desk was closed so we checked in at the bar area - great room to have some beers and talk to fellow travelers. The guy walked us to our room and the check in process was nice and easy. The room was excellent - river views, bit on the small side but the bathroom floors are heated and the bed was comfortable. We did white water rafting the next morning and it was awesome. Highly recommend it. The rapids were intense and the guide was phenomenal. All in all it was a great experience!

8/10 Good

Vivienne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

Good base for rafting

This is a base for river rafting which is excellent, rooms are small but clean, WiFi doesn’t work and not TV so bring your own entertainment. It’s a good 40-45mins to the nearest restaurant so make sure you book ahead for meals at the hotel as in advance booking is required. Area is really only the hotels site itself so if you don’t have activity’s booked with the hotel don’t stay here, the restaurant area serves alcohol and if there is a good group staying it can be lively

10/10 Excellent

Karen, Wellington, NZ

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great location

We needed a 1 night stopover between Napier and Wellington and found River Valley Lodge which looked lovely. However we didn't realise that this accommodation is more of a backpackers hostel and not a hotel as we initially thought. (Probably should have read the description properly). The location is amazing. We booked the deluxe chalet which was small but quaint and comfortable and had a river view. It was lovely listening to the sound of the river so close by. The bed was super comfy and had a great shower. No fridge though, storage for clothing or hairdryer. The main building (lodge) has dormitories on the first floor above the communal dining room and there seems to be a separate backpackers area with a kitchen. We pre-ordered dinner- it was beef night - so there are no other meal options but it was well cooked and lots of it. The staff were lovely and very attentive. There is a sauna and spa on site.(extra charge to use the spa) We enjoyed a moonlit spa under the trees. We really enjoyed our stay, and we plan on going back to do the 8 hour rafting trip (level 2) sometime.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Piece of paradise (if you know what to expect)

The lodge is a little oasis by the river. Given it’s location, you have to expect it to be a little isolated and for it to have a woodsy vibe (bugs included). If you know what you’re getting into, it’s awesome. The food is homey, locally sourced, and super yummy. The food is is great if you’re traveling for a good while and miss home cooked meals. Prices are super reasonable too. Beds are comfy, and the spa tub looking over the river was a special treat. The lodge does cater to a younger backpacking crowd (good to know, in case that’s not a fit for you), but we stayed in a private room so it didn’t bother us. Tad were super awesome and you can tell that they care about the guests and their bussiness. Wish we could have stayed longer!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2018

8/10 Good

Wilhelm

Liked: Room comfort

Young & Energetic

Good if you are young and energetic. It is the place of youth with energy which remind me the good time durign my mid 20's. If you purpose is purely for Grade 5 water rafting, staying is not a requirement.

2/10 Terrible

Ella

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Abusive staff ruined stay

Whilst our private double room was adequate, our stay was ruined by the rafting staff who repeatedly swore at us and threw drink over us. Despite being called c**ts, the complaint was barely dealt with by managerials and I hope this behaviour never happens again to future guests.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

Glenn

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Håkan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Åk hit! Familj, kompisar, par, åk hit!!

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019

8/10 Good

Chadwick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018