Be immersed in the mighty Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park at The Hermitage Hotel, a resort lying at the foot of the Southern Alps with views of Mt Cook and endless opportunities for fun outdoor expeditions.
Why you'll love it here
- The Hermitage is the closest hotel accommodation to Aoraki / Mt Cook
- Take in the mesmerizing mountain views while dining at the on-site Alpine Restaurant
- Home to the world's largest Gold Star Dark Sky Reserve, where resident astronomy guides take you on a tour through high powered telescopes
- Various adventures available for you discover Aoraki / Mt Cook by water, foot or by air plus home to Sir Edmund Hilary Alpine Museum
Louise
Travel Specialist
Included in your holiday
- Lounge passes and meet & greet service in UK airports
- Transfers to and from your hotel
- All flight luggage allowances
- Personal concierge service
- 24/7 assistance when travelling
- Full ATOL protection
Full accommodation information
Hotel information
You can’t beat the mountain views from The Hermitage Hotel, boasting an unrivalled position within the Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park, surrounded entirely by craggy peaks and wild forest.
It’s a sight that the resort cleverly frames from every angle, whether in the guestrooms with their floor-to-ceiling windows or in the Snowline Lounge where you can sit with a drink by the fireplace and marvel at the scenery beyond.
The Hermitage Hotel Mt Cook was established back in 1884, drawing wide-eyed visitors to this sublime corner of New Zealand ever since.
Due to its location in the national park and Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area, excursions and outdoor activities are a given, so you can look forward to heli-tours, glacier landings and stargazing, among many other exciting pastimes here.
The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre – right next to the hotel itself, is also easily explored, where exhibitions and artefacts on the Mt Cook area are on display in the museum, with events taking place at the digital dome planetarium and 3D theatre too.
Then, take your pick from feasting on the buffet at Alpine Restaurant, or choosing from the a la carte menu at The Panorama Room, before retreating for a restful night’s sleep in your guestroom. Step out onto your balcony or patio and look up to the stars; this region of New Zealand is famed for its fantastic night skies.
Room Options
There are 164 rooms across The Hermitage Hotel Mt Cook, divided into separate wings according to their category: Standard, Superior and Premium. It’s well worth upgrading to a room with views over Mt Cook, as to stay at such close proximity to this majestic peak is a real privilege! All of them also feature tea and coffee making facilities, binoculars, showers, satellite TVs and minifridges.
Standard Room
Available with a king/queen-size bed or two doubles, the Standard Room is a pared-back but comfortable abode, featuring a patio or balcony; some of which overlook Mt Cook.Superior Room
The Superior Room is equipped with two queen-size beds, plus a balcony or patio with views of Mt Cook.Premium Room
Housed in the Aoraki Wing, the Premium Rooms have some of the best views in the hotel, overlooking Mt Cook and hanging glaciers through oversized windows, and also feature in-room Wi-Fi. Choose between a room with a king-size or two queen-size beds.Premium Plus Room
Perching on the top floor of the hotel, these rooms have the most privileged vantage points for admiring Mt Cook. They also have higher-end perks including a Nespresso machine, flat-screen Smart TV, bathrobes, slippers, Koha Spa Aotearoa toiletries and complimentary bottled water. Choose between a super-king-size bed or two queen-size beds.Mt Cook View Suite
The cream of the crop, this suite is spacious and well-equipped, coming with a king-size bed, separate living room, kitchenette and Wi-Fi. The balcony is connected to the lounge and bedroom, with excellent views of Mt Cook.Facilities/Amenities
The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre can be found at The Hermitage Hotel, which provides fascinating insights into both the region and the great explorer, Sir Edmund Hillary, via its museum, digital dome planetarium and 3D theatre. There’s also a concierge service and an outdoor terrace at the resort.
Restaurants & Bars
Alpine Restaurant
This buffet restaurant at Hermitage Hotel Mt Cook features wide windows that frame the stunning Southern Alps, a rather special accompaniment to your hearty meal here. For breakfast, there are continental dishes alongside hot plates, including a selection of Asian cuisine. Then, for lunch and dinner, you can graze on salads, grilled meat, seafood and vegetarian fare followed by a range of sweet treats, helping yourself to as much as you please!
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
The Panorama Room
Reserve a table at The Panorama Room for a fine-dining evening meal in an elegant space, with the beautiful Southern Alps taking centre stage. The a la carte menu draws on local produce to create delicious New Zealand cuisine, such as grilled Aoraki salmon, Savannah ribeye on the bone, and Hapuka ceviche, followed by irresistible desserts or cheeses.
- Dinner
Snowline Lounge
Grab a drink and take a seat close to the roaring fire in Snowline Lounge, offering a mix of cocktails, wines and beers – well deserved after a day out in the mountains!
Sir Edmund Hillary Café
Pull up a chair in this laidback café and tuck into food and drink from the self-service stations. If sitting indoors, you can still gaze out over Mt Cook through the soaring windows, though there’s an outdoor terrace for when the sun is shining! There are also plenty of items that you can take with you for a picnic lunch while out and about.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Activities & Entertainment
The Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park dazzles each and every visitor with its dramatic mountains, coruscating rivers and hanging glaciers, all begging to be discovered. Glide alongside icebergs on the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake, embark on an off-road 4x4 adventure, hike the McNulty's Tarns Trek or enjoy a nature walk straight from the hotel. You can also explore the region on two wheels while journeying along the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail, go mountain biking or horse riding, and get a bird’s-eye-view of the staggering glaciers nearby on a helicopter or light aircraft flight.
New Zealand travel information
When to visit New Zealand
Jan
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Best time
Good time
Ok time
- Time zone: +13 GMT
- Flight time: 25 hours
- Recommended airlines: Air New Zealand, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airlines
- Currency: New Zealand Dollar
- Tipping guideline: Optional, but not expected
- Health considerations: No major health risks.
- Capital: Wellington
- Population: 5,269,938
- National languages: English, Maori
- Electricity and plugs: Type I (V), 230V
- Mobile phone coverage: Good coverage
- UK passport visa requirements: You need an ETA for New Zealand if you have a British passport - apply online
Want to know more?
Call our Travel Specialists for a chat with our New-zealand experts. They'll share their first-hand insights so you can find your perfect holiday.
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Louise
Travel Specialist
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