Looking for where to stay in Franz Josef? Spend the night at Rainforest Retreat!
At the base of the Franz Josef Glacier lies a tranquil oasis to relax and rejuvenate between your hours of exploring New Zealand’s South Island. After a lengthy day of driving the Haast Pass between Wanaka and Franz Josef, Justin and I were ready to rest our tired bodies. Rainforest Retreat in Franz Josef is the perfect place to release any tension pent up from a day of adventuring. Nestled in the lush jungle and beneath the wondrous mountains, we admired this stunning location from our own luxurious tree hut.
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If you’re seeking a unique and luxurious getaway, Rainforest Retreat is the best Franz Josef accommodation for you. However, if you’re a backpacker, traveling with a family, or trekking around the country in a camper van, Rainforest Retreat has a range of rooms for every budget. There are flashpacker dormitories, motel rooms, and powered sites for campers. With that said, I’m going to focus strictly on the luxury retreat accommodations of the Rainforest Retreat because that’s where we spent the night.
Rainforest Retreat: Deluxe Tree Lodge
Justin and I stayed at one of the Deluxe Tree Lodges at Rainforest Retreat, which were brand new at the time we visited. This premium suite is not your typical hotel room. Spacious and stylish, the Deluxe Tree Lodge is a standalone house, rising above the forest. The house is high above the ground with a car park beneath it. Each tree lodge or tree hut is self contained, meaning that your neighbors are a great distance away. As you can imagine, you won’t hear a sound at night, unless you leave the windows open to listen to the gentle ambiance of nature.
Immediately, we noticed the large deck at the entrance to our room. There are some chairs and a table out there for enjoying a meal or a drink. It’s a great place to enjoy your first cup of coffee in the morning, and one of the things I loved most about this Franz Josef accommodation.
Posh Living Space
Our Deluxe Tree Lodge at Rainforest Retreat was one of the most well-stocked, thoughtful places we’ve ever spent the night. Once arriving at this hotel, we didn’t need to leave. Everything we needed was right there in our room.
There was one king bed and one single bed, perfect if you’re traveling as a couple, with friends, or a small family. We didn’t end up using the extra bed, but it was a great extra spot to store our belongings. The couch in the middle of the room faced the scenic view. On the coffee table, cut flowers, fresh fruit, and chocolates made us feel right at home. There was even a wooden tic-tac-toe game should you find yourself in the mood for a quick match or two.
It’s your home away from home with every modern comfort, including SkyTV and high speed Wi-Fi. The kitchenette has a fridge, sink, microwave, kettle, toaster, a Nespresso machine, and complimentary tea and coffee. There’s even a bottle of red wine, a bottle of white wine, and beer in the fridge – help yourself! The Rainforest Retreat Franz Josef reminded me of a luxury, all-inclusive resort more than a hotel!
Thinking about breakfast? There was a basket of food and drinks in the room upon our arrival. There was fresh bread, juice, and preserves that suited our vegan diets.
Designer Bathroom
This bathroom was one that we raved about for a while after our stay. This massive, en-suite bathroom had a large shower with a rain shower head. Not only that, but there was underfloor heating if we felt chilly after stepping out of the shower. We also thought the blue lighting beneath the sink was a neat and unique addition. Overall, we felt very spoiled by the luxuries offered throughout the bathroom and the entire modern apartment.
The Location
The location of the Rainforest Retreat can’t be beat. It’s right in the middle of Franz Josef, acting as the perfect home base for countless day trips or expeditions in the area. All excursion offices are right on the main street in town, and Rainforest Retreat is practically around the corner. We were minutes from the meeting place for our helicopter tour in the morning. Furthermore, you can go on numerous nearby outdoor adventures, like hiking, biking, kayaking, ice climbing, and so much more. Rainforest Retreat is one of the best Franz Josef hotels in terms of location.
Dining Options On Site
Like I mentioned before, once you arrive at Rainforest Retreat, you won’t have to travel very far. We decided to dine on site at the Monsoon Restaurant & Bar that was a short walk from our tree lodge. We ordered veggie burgers (the Hippie Burger) and a pizza from the main menu, which were easily made vegan. Everything is clearly marked as vegetarian, so be sure to inquire with your server about vegan options. Justin and I also happened to be there during their happy hour, so we ordered some cheap and yummy cocktails (the Purple Rain is delicious!).
Vegan pizza from the Monsoon Restaurant at Rainforest Retreat
The Verdict
You absolutely need to book your stay at the Rainforest Retreat Franz Josef. There are a range of accommodations for every budget, although I recommend splurging to stay in one of the Deluxe Tree Lodges. It’s such a dreamy hotel and we wouldn’t hesitate to return. In fact, it’s one of the best places we stayed in the entire country. With a modern and spacious living space, the ideal location, and every little detail looked after, it’s truly a vacation spot to rest and relax between your adventures. Soak up the natural surroundings in utmost comfort at Rainforest Retreat.
Book your stay here and click here to read reviews from fellow trusted travelers from around the globe.
Thank you so much to Rainforest Retreat for providing us with a complimentary stay in exchange for our review. We are always completely honest in our reviews, and we thoroughly fell in love with this accommodation in Franz Josef. It truly is the hotel of our dreams!
Rainforest Retreat
6 Cron St,
Franz Josef Glacier 7886,
New Zealand
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Have you ever slept in a rainforest or in a tree house before? Tell us about your experiences!
Lauren is the full-time travel blogger and content creator behind Justin Plus Lauren. She started Justin Plus Lauren in 2013 and has travelled to 50+ countries around the world. Lauren is an expert on vegan travel as one of the very first vegan travel bloggers. She also focuses on outdoor adventure travel, eco and sustainable travel, and creating amazing travel itineraries for cities and small towns.