Manapouri Holiday Park ★★★

"This would have to be our favourite camping ground in the South Island. Both powered and non powered sites have great views and beautiful trees. Cool wee cabins dotted about. The owner was brilliant. The amenities were great. Just a lovely, relaxing spot!"

Te Anau Manapouri Lake Hotel ★★★

"The room is clean and comfortable, the environment is particularly beautiful, the room faces the lake, the scenery is pleasant and beautiful. The parking lot is large and there is a kitchen for cooking"

Possum Lodge ★★

"The site was pretty, small with welcoming staff. We travelled as 2 people in a Campervan and stayed 2 nights at Possum lodge. The following day we went to Milford Sound. We were very disappointed with the Campsite. More effort must be made to maintain the services to a suitable standard. The showers were tiny, not particularly clean and in the women's the shower had really low power so the water was almost a trickle and the water did not drain on another shower. The WiFi only worked at reception, our powered site was too small and was on the end and shouldn't have been offered, the BBQ was dirty and hadn't been cleaned and the gas was so low there was no heat. We have stayed at many sites where the standards are so much higher so I would not recommend staying there."

Cabot Lodge ★★★★★

"I first saw this magnificent lodge on a listing when researching last May prior to our trip to New Zealand towards the end of January this year. It showed the lodge from behind up the hill looking across Lake Manapouri to the snow-capped mountains beyond. It took my breath away, such was its impact that I resolved that we MUST incorporate a stay into our South Island travel plan ...and we did! We've arrived early afternoon to be greeted by the joint owner, Breidi, and escorted to our beautiful suites with a patio looking onto that view I'd seen online. After explaining how everything worked, answering any questions we had, Breidi left us some newly baked cookies, and I went for an introductory walk round this working sheep farm. Stunning! The prices charged include aperitifs, dinner, and a wonderful full breakfast incorporating home grown vegeatbles, lamb, beef, etc, and the best Stewart Island salmon. All the food was cooked expertly and beautifully presented by Chef Rod. The waiting staff were so friendly, knowledgeable and welcoming as was Breidi's husband Brad who was there to welcome us for aperitifs and gave us three history of the farm started by the parents who have "retired" but live on a house just down from the Lodge. So many sheep graze in the fields but also cattle and deer to make it sustainable given it costs more to shear a sheep than farmers get for the fleece nowadays! We've stayed two nights relaxing and being indulged totally by the owners and staff. Nothing was too much trouble. I'd heard about the "Bookshop at the end of the world" run by Ruth Shaw but thought we wouldn't manage a visit given we were on the 10am Doubtful Sound Cruise but Breidi said to get there by 09:15 and indeed Ruth, alerted by Breidi, had opened early to show us around and allow us to buy some books for our granddaughters in Singapore, whom wed see on a brief transfer at Changi on the way back. What an inspiration Ruth is and an amazing life - really pleasure to meet her. Manapouri is a delightful small village where everyone knows and helps each other which a joy to experience. I really can't talk highly enough about this little piece of paradise on earth. Suffice to say it's probably the "best" place we've ever been for peace and quiet, subdued luxury, great local food, and professional but unassuming service. The scenery is out of this world, and you don't need to be doing anything at all to enjoy the lodge and its surroundings. Just enjoy the sounds of silence (and the odd sheep noise!!) My last night, I relaxed late into the evening on our patio, sustained by Central Otago full-bodied Pinot Noir gazing out towards these gorgeous mountains as the sun dipped behind them and vowed to return one day. If there's a better place, I've yet to see it! Breidi, Brad, and all staff, thank you so much for your hospitality and extending such a warm welcome to us that went far and beyond our already high expectations."

Murrells Grand View House ★★★★

"The breakfast is delicious, the owner is very kind, the environment is elegant, the transportation is convenient, you can see the lake from the window, the stay experience is very good!"

Fiordland Escape ★★★

Welcome Home Cottage, Manapouri, Fiordland ★★★★