The Headwaters Eco Lodge
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The Headwaters Eco Lodge
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Located 28 mi from Queenstown, The Headwaters Eco Lodge offers accommodations in Glenorchy, surrounded by mountain views. All rooms feature free Wi-Fi and heated floors. A continental or a hot breakfast is included with the option of a 3 course dinner with all accommodations types. Outdoor adventures such as skiing, cycling, tramping and horse-riding can all be enjoyed within close proximity of The Headwaters Eco Lodge. Routeburn Track is 12 mi from the accommodations. The nearest airport is Queenstown Airport, 31 mi from the property.
Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 9.2 for a two-person trip.
Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap
Most popular amenities
- Free parking
- Non-smoking rooms
- Restaurant
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
Guest reviews
Categories:
Staff
9.6
Facilities
9.1
Cleanliness
9.4
Comfort
9.5
Value for money
7.5
Location
9.3
Free Wifi
10
High score for Glenorchy
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Guests who stayed here loved
Erin
United States“It is an Eco lodge so toilets are composting and showers are timed. Some travelers might not care for this but it was fine - plus lots of educational posters explaining the process along with their solar panels. The add on dinner was superb. ...”
Anne United States“We were so impressed with the effort the lodge makes to run a sustainable operation and reduce their environmental impacts. It's also in a beautiful location.”
Kate
New Zealand“Loved everything the staff were great , the lodge & all the eco sustainable initiatives , the landscaping”
John United States“Eclectic in ambiance….very comfortable lodging The staff were warm and gracious. The chef(s) at the top of their craft. Their attention to the environmental concerns of our planet were way ahead of the curve. Too be applauded.”- James United States“Best stay of our 2 week NZ holiday. Staff, facilities, food (!) all unparalleled. Attention to sustainability in a sleek, efficient property was very intriguing and a major highlight.”
- James United States“Eco-friendly in so many different inventive ways! amazing smelling shampoo and conditioner. great tea. lovely breakfast. great location. cool decor. nice staff. super tasty strong barista coffee included at breakfast.”
Isabelle United States“The Eco Lodge is a very comfortable accommodation in an amazing location. The rooms and common spaces are all very well maintained. Staff were very kind and helpful; we especially liked the free morning yoga. Breakfast and dinner were very solid,...”
Mary-anne New Zealand“Stunning architectural detail and use of sustainable design. Friendly staff who made our stay memorable.”- Jacqueline
United Kingdom“Beautiful setting, very friendly staff, loved the compost toilet and very well designed ecolodge.” - Therese
Ireland“Lovely place to stay, restful and peaceful, gorgeous setting. Chalet spotless, very comfortable. So enjoyed our stay, and the food was amazing. Especially loved sitting by the big fire in the evening.”
Managed by The Headwaters Eco Lodge
Company review score: 9.6Based on 60 reviews from 1 property
1 managed property
Company info
The Headwaters Eco Lodge opened in March 2018, it has been created from the ground up using regenerative design philosophies and is the first ever guest accommodation designed according to the Living Building Challenge - the most rigorous sustainability standards in the world.
The Living Building Challenge (LBC) suggests buildings should function as cleanly and efficiently as a flower, using this metaphor to guide performance across seven ‘petals’ of sustainability: Health & Happiness, Energy, Water, Materials, Place, Beauty and Equity. To achieve LBC’s imperatives, The Headwaters Eco Lodge has been created through a process of collaboration; in contrast to typical building projects which involve architects, designers, engineers and tradespeople working in silos, The Headwater’s approach also included local artists, craftspeople, and energy management specialists.
The Headwaters Eco Lodge is the vision and collaborative creation of Paul and Debbi Brainerd, philanthropists who have previously established environmentally-sensitive, community-based education projects in North America. The Lodge seeks to in inspire and share learnings about new standards in sustainable tourism.
Property info
The Headwaters Eco Lodge sits in the heart of the beautiful scenic village of Glenorchy. It encompasses a stunning Lodge and 14 individual chalets nestled in the native gardens of the property. Each chalet is unique and has been designed with comfort and style in mind. It is perfect for couples, families and groups alike.
The Headwaters Eco Lodge is New Zealand’s first Net Positive energy visitor destination. The Lodge is New Zealand and the world’s first visitor accommodation built and operating under the framework of the Living Building Challenge (LBC). Recognized globally as the most stringent design principles for creating a healthy future where our planet and humanity are thriving, it's certified by the International Living Future Institute for its inspiring and regenerative approach to energy, water, materials and beauty.
Fourteen eco-chalets, gathering spaces, dining room, event spaces and covered outdoor fireplace area provide guests with a comfortable, rustic aesthetic experience while using passive design and state-of-the-art technology to reduce water and energy use.
The Lodge uses 50% less power and 50% less water than similar facilities, generating its own energy onsite via 589 solar photovoltaic panels, one of the South Island’s largest solar gardens.
All profits from The Headwaters Eco Lodge benefit the Glenorchy Community Trust, directed by local community members.
TIME Magazine has named The Headwaters Eco Lodge in the World’s 100 Greatest Places of 2019. Featured in its September 2019 issue, The Headwaters Eco Lodge is the only New Zealand accommodation chosen to make this list, and one of only 44 of TIME Magazine’s “must go” accommodation destinations in the world.
Outdoor adventures such as guided walks, skiing, cycling, skydiving, tramping and horse-riding, mountain biking, jet boating, can all be enjoyed within close proximity of the Lodge.
Neighborhood info
Blessed with a remarkable array of natural beauty and terrain, Glenorchy offers something for everyone, from the peaceful to the exhilarating to the sublime. We help our guests at The Headwaters Eco Lodge to explore the area on foot, on bikes and horseback; by jet boat, canyoning or funyak; via 4WD all-terrain vehicles, heli or plane - with or without an expert tramping, photography, birding or movie set location guide.
There are a multitude of options for immersing yourself in Glenorchy's natural beauty, from a 30-minute wander around our historic township, to a 45-minute boardwalk through a pristine lagoon at the edge of town to your choice of gorgeous hikes of varying lengths all less than an hour away.
If you would like to revitalise the spirit, we offer on-site morning yoga classes three times a week at The Headwaters Lodge. All guests and the community are welcome to join by koha donation.
Languages Spoken
German,English,SpanishArea info
Restaurants1 Restaurant On Site
- Restaurant #1
- Open forDinner
- AmbienceFamily-friendly
- Dietary optionsVegetarian • Vegan • Gluten-free • Dairy-free
Amenities of The Headwaters Eco LodgeGreat facilities! Review score, 9.2
Most popular amenities
- Free parking
- Non-smoking rooms
- Restaurant
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
Bathroom
Bathroom
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
- Free toiletries
- Shower
Bedroom
Bedroom
- Linens
View
View
- Inner courtyard view
- Mountain view
- Garden view
- View
Outdoors
Outdoors
- Outdoor fireplace
- Picnic area
- Outdoor furniture
- Sun deck
- Patio
- Terrace
- Garden
Kitchen
Kitchen
- Electric kettle
Room Amenities
Room Amenities
- Socket near the bed
PetsPets are allowed on request. Charges may apply.
Pets
Activities
Activities
- Bicycle rentalAdditional charge
- Cooking classAdditional charge
- Tour or class about local culture
- Themed dinners
- Bike toursAdditional charge
- Walking toursAdditional charge
- Movie nightsAdditional charge
- Horseback ridingAdditional chargeOff-site
- HikingAdditional chargeOff-site
- CanoeingAdditional chargeOff-site
- SkiingOff-site
- FishingAdditional chargeOff-site
- Golf course (within 2 miles)Additional charge
Living Area
Living Area
- Sitting area
- Desk
Food & Drink
Food & Drink
- Coffee house on site
- Wine/ChampagneAdditional charge
- Kids' meals
- Special diet meals (on request)
- Restaurant
- Tea/Coffee maker
InternetWifi is available in public areas and is free of charge.
Internet
ParkingFree public parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).
Parking
- Street parking
- Electric vehicle charging station
- Accessible parking
Front Desk Services
Front Desk Services
- Invoice provided
- Lockers
- Private check-in/out
- Concierge
- Baggage storageAdditional charge
- Tour desk
Entertainment & Family Services
Entertainment & Family Services
- Board games/Puzzles
Cleaning Services
Cleaning Services
- Laundry
Business Facilities
Business Facilities
- Fax/PhotocopyingAdditional charge
- Meeting/Banquet facilitiesAdditional charge
Safety & security
Safety & security
- Fire extinguishers
- CCTV outside property
- CCTV in common areas
- Smoke alarms
- Key card access
General
General
- Shuttle serviceAdditional charge
- Pet bowls
- Pet basket
- Shared lounge/TV area
- Smoke-free property
- Mosquito net
- Heating
- Soundproof
- Private entrance
- Interconnecting room(s) available
- Soundproof rooms
- Fan
- Family rooms
- Ironing facilities
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Non-smoking rooms
Accessibility
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Entire unit located on ground floor
Spa
Spa
- Yoga classes
- Full-body massage
- MassageAdditional charge
Languages Spoken
Languages Spoken
- German
- English
- Spanish
House rulesThe Headwaters Eco Lodge takes special requests – add in the next step!
Check-in
From 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card at check-in.
You need to let the property know what time you'll be arriving in advance.
Check-out
From 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Cancellation/ prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Enter your stay dates and check the conditions of your selected option.
Children & Beds
Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome.
To see correct prices and occupancy info, add the number and ages of children in your group to your search.
Crib and extra bed policies
0 - 3 years
Crib upon request
Free
The number of cribs allowed depends on the option you choose. Check your selected option for more info.
There are no extra beds available at this property.
All cribs are subject to availability.
Age restriction
The minimum age for check-in is 18
Pets
Pets are allowed on request. Charges may apply.
Accepted payment methods
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed.
Quiet hours
Guests need be quiet between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
The fine printMust-know information for guests at this property
Please note that there is a 2.5% charge when you pay with a credit card.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Please inform The Headwaters Eco Lodge of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Quiet hours are between 22:00:00 and 06:00:00.
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19), additional safety and sanitation measures are in effect at this property.
In accordance with government guidelines to minimize transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19), this property may request additional documentation from guests to validate identity, travel itinerary, and other relevant info on dates where such guidelines exist.
