All Chalets are named after local birds
Kahu – Australian Harrier Hawk
Kereru – NZ Native Wood Pigeon
Ruru – NZ Native Owl
Makomako – Bellbird

Daily Servicing
At check in, we will ask whether you would like your chalet serviced or simply clean linen delivered to you. Please leave towels at the door should you wish for them to be replaced (towels, tea towels, face clothes). We respect your privacy and will only do so as requested.

It is appreciated if outdoor shoes are removed outside – particularly during wet weather.

Breakfast
To kick start your first morning a complimentary continental breakfast including cereal, milk, muesli bar, juice and fruit will be provided with hot freshly baked croissants. These will be delivered at 9am during your stay.

TV, DVD, Free view and radio
There are clear instruction on the use of TV, DVD and Freeview within each Chalet. There is an extensive selection of recent DVD’s for you to choose from in the Conference Room of the Lodge.

Smoking
Outside only please!

Health and Safety
If you or your family and friends staying are feeling unwell or have any medical issues, please keep us informed if it is appropriate.

Emergencies can be attended to at:
Stratford Health Centre/Avon Medical Centre 8 Romeo Street Stratford – Ph 06 765 5454

Eco Friendly

We are environmentally aware and take care to reduce, re use and recycle. All rubbish is sorted appropriately using the containers provided in your chalet. We take all bottles, cans, plastic food containers, paper and cardboard to the Stratford recycling centre on a weekly basis.

We compost all food scraps – please dispose in compost canister provided (incl egg shells, tea bags etc). Milk left in chalets is sprayed on the rose garden as a prevention for black-spot.

We appreciate conservative use of towels as we rely on rain and spring water collection to fill the septic tanks. We only change towels left at the door at the time of daily servicing (if requested).

You will see that hot water and ovens are powered by LPG Gas; light bulbs are energy efficient and we have minimal electrical appliances throughout the chalets. Solar lights are outside We use minimal chemicals and only when necessary. The grounds and vegetable garden are organic, utilising compost resourced from the property.

We encourage Kayaking on Lake Rotorangi

Eco Wood Burners (Ruru and Makomako Chalets Only)

These chalets are equipped with Eco flues to reduce emissions. We recommend that you burn them on high setting only and you will not need to restock them more than once or twice for an entire winter evening. Leave the door unlatched for the first few minutes after lighting to allow adequate combustion. Do not close them down during overnight as this will create polluting smoke. Do not over feed the fire as this will heat the chalet VERY quickly. Supervise children around the fire please.

Eco Heaters (Kahu and Kereru Chalets only)
These are low energy consuming (400w) heaters and suitable for leaving on for long periods of time. They are mounted on the wall under the stairs.

Electric Heaters
All chalets have these for your additional comfort. Please remember to switch them off when they are not required.

Laundry
Upon request; the cost is $20 per load which includes your clothes being washed, dried and folded.

Spa Pool
Located beneath the Cedars behind the Makomako chalet, suitable for 2-3 adults only. The ozonised pool is set to auto so you will need to change it to manual when in use if you want to use the jets (Please return to auto after use. IE all 3 lights on control panel or top light only if temperature has not lowered by use).

Please take care not to splash as this will cause a malfunction – remember to take care when removing & replacing the cover after use.

Children must be supervised by an adult at all times. During busy periods it is recommended that you book the spa pool at a particular time by writing the date, time and your chalet on the whiteboard in the spa room.

Security
New Zealand is generally considered to be a safe destination for travellers. It is, however, recommended that you lock your chalet and vehicles when out.

Car park
Car parking is available for guests only and must be securely locked at all times. We are not liable for theft or damages to any vehicles parked in the car park.

Guests bringing boats are able to leave these parked in front of the gatehouse.

Check out/in time
Check out time is 10am while check in is after 2pm.

These times give our team the ability to ensure that the lodge rooms or chalets are serviced, inspected and adequately equipped for the next guest to enjoy.

Children
We want to ensure everyone enjoys the atmosphere, activities and facilities. We therefore ask that parents to ensure that children are supervised at all times and must be accompanied by an adult in or near the spa pool or lake side.

Communications
Telephone (landline) facilities are available in the lodge conference room. Local calls are free; national or international telephone calls will incur charge-back. Unfortunately, there is no cellphone reception available in the valley. Internet access is via Ariari Lodge satellite which is only available in the lodge conference room.

Complimentary
Complimentary tea, coffee, sugar, biscuits are available for you to brew a drink before unpacking. Bathing essentials such as shampoo, conditioner and soap are available in your bathroom.

Dinner
Upon request, we offer a dinner for two including pre-dinner nibbles of New Zealand wine, grapes, cheese and crackers, a slow cooked meal with rice or potatoes complimented with a slice of heavenly cheese cake, fresh fruit and whipped cream. This must be booked in advance and will be billed to your credit card.

Keys
Your chalet or room key has an additional key attached. This key is for the kayak shed and available for you to use at your leisure.

Smoking policy
It is illegal to smoke anywhere inside the lodge and chalets; these are equipped with smoke alarms. Ashtrays are provided outside the buildings. A fee of $250.00 for the cleaning of the lodge or chalets will be incurred if smoking is detected.

Rooms or Chalet Serviced (daily)
Your room or chalet will be serviced daily including the bathroom, bedrooms, lounge and kitchens will be cleaned when requested. Face cloths, bathing and hand towels are replaced upon request.

Laundry
Laundry facilities are made available at the lodge.

Pets
We do not allow pets, cats or dogs on the premises as we and our neighbours have our pets, cats, dogs, pig, horses and sheep.

Payment
Payments can be made with cash, major credit cards including Visa and Mastercard; as well as eftpos facilities available on-site

Activities

Aotea waka
Take a leisurely cruise on the lake with Jade or Steven and discover the lakes history. This is subject to staff availability and the weather.

Boats
Please provide notification at time of booking if you intend on bringing you own boat, launching it off the jetty and mooring it so that we can ensure that there is space available. We recommend that guests bring 4-wheel drive vehicles to access the ramp.

Hunting
Have you always wanted to be known as the hunter gather, well we can help you with that for the day?

Kayaks
We have six (6) single and one (1) double kayaks including life jackets available for your use.

Please ensure you have appropriate clothing, footwear, calm weather conditions and that you wear correctly fit the life jacket as displayed on the kayak risk assessment, when using the kayaks at all times.

We’d recommend that guests row up the lake as it is easier to float back down to Ariari Lodge boat ramp and jetty.

Stroll, walk or run
Feeling energetic, taking a walk to the lake. Descending to the lake is fun but remember coming back up will need some energy. A casual stroll around our gardens or brisk walk to the road may be more suitable if you feel the lake walk is to challenging. If feeling full of energy we suggest a walk up to the first cattle stop.

Reading a book or magazine
If reading is your desire then we have a selection of books, magazines or just download a book on your kobo or kibble in the Lodge conference room.

Local activities and attractions

Lake Rotokare
Take an (1) hour hike around Lake Rotokare – only 10 minutes drive from the Lodge

Maunga Taranaki
Take a walk up the mountain on a clear day and check out the view either by way of Dawson Falls or through Stratford to the Straftord Mountain House and ski fields

Dam dropping
Feel like something adventurous check out their website.

Golf
Take a hit at the local Eltham golf club

Places of interest

Pioneer Village
On the way to Stratford

Tawhiti Museum
Take a trip down to Tawhiti Museum, Hawera

Yesteryear
Eltham has a variety of shops that deal in second hand or yesteryear garments and items.