Waitomo Caves Hotel

Grandeur and seclusion set the tone for this unique historical hotel situated on a hill overlooking the stunning Waitomo Village and the famous Waitomo Caves. Surrounded by natural bush and beautifully maintained gardens, this stunning country lodge style property is perfect for conferences, meetings and incentive travel.

Delegates will be entranced with its sweeping staircases, large open fireplaces, five star menu and unique architecture. Currently our restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week.

The hotel is within walking distance of the Waitomo Caves, Blackwater Rafting, Horse Riding, Angora Farm, Waitomo Museum, Information Centre and Village.

The Victorian Wing

This Building was completed in 1908 and was originally called the “Government Hostel at Waitomo”. The architecture is typically New Zealand Victorian but is based on an Eastern European mountain chalet. Victorian architect loved asymmetry and none of the hotel’s four walls or four corners are the same. There were only six bedrooms for guests; the other rooms were an office/reception, kitchen, dining room and staff rooms.

The Art Deco Wing

By the mid 1920’s the “Government Hostel” was too small for the growing number of visitors to the Waitomo caves. In 1928 the “concrete wing” was built. This was the Art Deco period, which took its architectural influences from many sources. The concrete pillars and facades are in the Cape Dutch style often seen in South Africa.

The use of thick concrete walls, decks and patios are an American influence and come from the Spanish missionary settlements in California. The new wing added another twenty-four bedrooms to the hostel: none of these rooms had bathroom and most were very small. A large kitchen and dinning room were also added.

General Information

In 1954 a liquor license was granted and the hostel became a Hotel. In 1955 the Hotel became a part of the government owned Hotel chain called the Tourist Hotel Corporation.

In 1990 the Government sold the hotel lease to Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation who then sold the lease to Tourism Holdings Limited in 1996.

In 1997 a family trust bought the Hotel lease from Tourism Holdings Limited and reclaimed the land from the Government. The hotel has since had numerous owners taking over the lease.