Nestled amongst the mountains in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is the iconic Hermitage Hotel. It is perfectly located for exploring the impressive natural surroundings and if you’re lucky enough to stay at the Hermitage Hotel, it’s truly an experience in itself!

The hotel began life way back in 1884, but due to customer demand over the years and a devastating fire in 1957, it has been rebuilt twice more to bring us the present-day hotel. Stepping inside, the Hermitage Hotel will impress you with it’s grandeur and old world charm – you can easily imagine legendary explorers like Sir Edmund Hilary setting off from the hotel to conquer Mt Cook (fun fact: he did this to train for Mt Everest).

While the hotel might be impressive, the real reason we’re all here is to catch a glimpse of Mount Cook, and seeing it seemly burst from the ground as you drive into the village is unlike anything else.  We arrived at sunset, and it was beyond stunning. Mount Cook village might not be what you expect for a such a tourist hotspot – consisting of about 4 hotels/lodges, one small airport, a couple of restaurants and housing for local staff. Really, that’s about it.

If you’re planning a trip and wondering where to stay in Mount Cook, or just want some travel inspiration, read on for my Hermitage Hotel review.

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Where to stay in Mount Cook Village

Hermitage Hotel Review

The Rooms

The rooms, or should I say the view from the rooms, are really the shining star of this hotel.

We had booked a standard room but were lucky enough to be upgraded to a premium room with a view. As far as I’m aware the rooms themselves are pretty much the same, but the superior and premium rooms are located on higher floor levels and therefore have a ‘better’ view. You can also book rooms without a view, but if possible I would recommend trying to book the rooms with a view – as the outlook over the mountains really is something else.

Food

We weren’t quite sure what to expect when it came to food in the village. In the hotel there are usually two dining options – The Sir Edmund Hillary Cafe & Bar, and The Alpine Restaurant. Plus there is also The Snowline Lounge for drinks.

During our time The Alpine Restaurant was closed for renovation so all dining took place in The Sir Edmund Hillary Cafe & Bar. As well as your typical cafe foods (sandwiches, paninis, pies, salads etc,) there is also buffet style breakfast, lunch and dinner available – plus an A la carte menu for dinner in the evenings.

The buffets and A la carte menu are quite expensive, during out stay we only ate at the hotel once which was the breakfast buffet. It had breakfast options to suit everyone, and you could eat as much as you liked. It wasn’t the best breakfast I’ve ever had but certainly not the worst either. While we didn’t eat at the cafe, it looked to have a few different good options at a much better price.

If you looking for a cheaper dinner option I would recommend heading to The Chamois Bar and Grill, located a 5 minutes drive away at the nearby Mt Cook Lodge and Motel (also owned by The Hermitage). You can even catch one of the regular shuttles from the lobby if you don’t want to drive. Here you will be able to order from a pub style menu, with options like pizza, burgers, steak and more. If you eat between 3pm and 5.30pm, or after 9pm there is a great Bar Snacks menu, which is even cheaper if you’re travelling on a tight budget.

There aren’t any grocery stores in the village, so I would recommend stocking up on any supplies you might need as you pass through Tekapo or Twizel.

Activities

There are tons of activities to keep you busy during your time in Mount Cook. With stunning hiking routes, stargazing (the area is a Dark Sky Reserve), scenic flights and epic glaciers to check out there is something for everyone. The Hermitage Hotel actually run tours, which you can book directly through their website or at reception after arrival.

We kept it simple and spent our main free day hiking through the Hooker Valley – it was free and absolutely stunning! The walk takes about 4 hours return, and I would say suitable for most as it isn’t too strenuous with a mostly flat trail. In saying that, make sure you’re prepared; wear the right clothing (it can get quite chilly when you reach the lake) and also be sure to set off with ample time to reach the lake and get back in time – we saw so many people heading up the track as we were returning and daylight was fading quickly.

There are plenty of other hikes in the area, including day walks and longer multi-day treks. Check out the DOC website for more on this.

Nearby you have Lake Tekapo and Pukaki, Church of the Good Shepherd, Twizel and much more.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I really enjoyed my stay at The Hermitage Hotel and would recommend it as a great option if you’re looking to stay in Mount Cook.

The hotel is impressive but also slightly well-worn and possibly due an upgrade – which they seem to currently be in the process of doing in the reception area and main restaurant. In saying that it was very clean, inviting and provides everything you need for a fantastic stay. Plus, the ridiculously impressive views more than make up for the some of the tired features.

As I mentioned at the start of this review, it’s an experience unlike any other staying in Mount Cook and the Hermitage Hotel makes this experience ever better!

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Have you been to Mount Cook?

Perhaps it’s somewhere on your travel wish-list!

Let me know in the comments below! 

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