Howards Mountain Lodge

The light is quite dark in entire area, lounge, room and kitchen.

Close to Tongariro crossing and big share kitchen. But the bed is too soft

Super friendly staff and Owner, clean rooms, comfy bed with an awesome shared kitchen set up… I’ll be back Found the rooms to be cosy and quiet with a good shower ( a nice bonus) Walking distance to most amenities Thanks for your amazing hospitality ❤️

This was the worst reception I have ever encountered at any accommodation. We arrived just before 7pm on Friday evening. There wasn't any parking available. Right in front of the reception area was parking with cones. We removed a cone just to check in and ask where we had to go. As I have an injury and have crutches. We just wanted to check in. The owner/manager came out not saying please remove your car but just super rude saying back out, back out. We tried to explain that we just wanted to check in but he was just ignoring us constantly saying back out. My husband double parked to unload our stuff asking the man if it was his car that he is blocking in. He flat out ignored my husband. After my husband asked him for the 3rd time he shouted why do you want to know if its my car. He then said do you want your money back.....where would we go at 7pm on a Friday evening? Believe me we would if we could. He also said we arrived like we owned the place. Which definitely wasn't true. We juat didn't know where to go. Eventually we parked in the road me struggling with my crutches. The accommodation itself was ok. Still had open soap etc in bathrooms from previous people. The owner made that we will definitely NOT recommend this place to anyone. Wish I saw all the previous reviews about him, but it obviously doesn't bother him that people won't book again.

Overall a good place to visit, clean and tidy. We had 4 adults and shared a room. Pretty comfortable. Lovely lounge rooms which would be cosy in winter. Few easily fixed issues. Kitchen is rather cluttered with stuff. One of the only three tables was covered in empty wine bottles and old floral arrangements. Ensure bathroom there was 4 of us but only really one usable hook. Also weird handle above sink that you hit your head on when brushing teeth. Lots of random pieces of firewood around and old floral and tree pieces. And kitchen was quite dark and cramped as visitors could only use one side But overall was perfectly fine for our 2 night stay.

We booked the family room. Got very little sleep as it’s right above the kitchen which was busy and noisy with inconsiderate people to god knows what time. The noise started up again at 5am. The room itself was fine, decent shower. Tv only had 3 channels when it worked properly. Parking was ok but pretty close together. We wouldn’t stay again.