Pipers Ski Lodge

The hospitality was great. Aku was friendly and courteous and made sure all the guest's were made welcome. We'd come again. We celebrated Fijian Independence day with seafood and Fijian songs. Absolutely beautiful. My granddaughter enjoyed the games room the most.

Service very poor, tv remote didn’t work, when asked was told Tv only had one channel, woke up with sore back as could feel springs in bed, when advised was told sleep on bunk, none of the staff were friendly and was treated like a second class citizen. Was given wrong key to room, Been travelling around NZ for over 2 years and this by far is the worst service/ food ever, will never go back.

All those who experienced Pipers Ski Lodge under the capable and loving hands of Bruce and Di would be appalled and disappointed at the changes the new owners have implemented. Yes, there have been some upgrades/renovations to the ensuite rooms, but even here the choices made are questionable. The ensuite bathrooms have been updated, but unless you have a family used to seeing each other naked, the frosted glass wall between the room and the bathroom really doesn't provide any privacy for toileting processes without anyone still in the room getting an eyefull. The pool table, gone. The table-tennis table, gone. The bar, closed. The drinks vending machine, gone. The spa pools, gone. The seperate kids tv lounge, gone. In their place is a gaming room that could put Time-Out to shame. Lots of flashing lights, thumping music and whining children wanting another $2 per game. The lounge has a TV, but the remote is a free-for-all, so while we were there, an animated Spiderman played twice in a row and then a Korean animae. The selector holding tight to the remote. Children allowed to run in the hallways, no respect given for those trying to put little ones down by 8.00pm. From our room (a bunk room several rooms away from the gaming space) we could still hear the thumping music from the games, this definately also drowns out the noise on the TV (maybe this was a blessing after-all). Clothes left to dry around the fireplace really turns this once bold and beautiful Ski Lodge into a backpackers. Our room temp was set so high it was hotter in there than in the drying room, with no way to turn it down. The bunk beds squeeked every movement that was made, add that to the heat of the room and it was the most uncomfortable night with the worst sleep I think I have ever had. The garish fluro wings that light up the lounge really show the changes that the new owners have put in place. We have been regular customers of Pipers Ski Lodge for over 15 years, we have had family reunions there, stayed for full weeks during the ski season and the occassional night or two where we could skip out on work to get some skiing in. What is sad I think is that all the newbies to Pipers do not even realise whats missing from their Ski Lodge experience. They do not know how great it was, to even know that what they have experienced is subpar. We will not be back.

We were looking for a place to stay overnight on a weekend during the winter season and was able to get a room here. The lodge is located in National Park village, about 15 minutes away from Whakapapa. They did have a bit of parking on site but it was full so we ended up on the road. Check in was easy enough as we arrived before reception closed at 2100. You book room in the lodge so there wasn't a way to book single beds like a backpackers. They had other facilities like a hot drink station and drying rooms. There were also a bathroom with plenty of stalls so there wasn't any waiting involved. The place did look a little dated but it was quite comfortable. The rooms had beds and shelving for items. The lounge was quite large and they had an arcade room in the back. There was an in house restaurant in the dining room which was good to know since dining options in National Park is quite limited. The room booking also came with continental breakfast. It was quite a nice place to stay and would be keen to stay again in the future. Great value for money particularly with breakfast included.

Thank you Akuila for all that you did while our stay at Pipers. You were just too awesome. This is one trip that our kids will always remember. By they way, they loved the food. You guys are Highly Recommended!!

The games area was noisy (loud) and unsuitable for a Ski Lodge. Students even did not like it overall. However, other upgrades to the rooms are great, and the provision of towels was excellent (as we forgot them last year!!). The food was good, no complaints or half-finished plates from students. The staff is wonderful - fully recommend this lodge.