Franz Josef Glacier hotellia

Plussat: Very nicely modernised interior. No problems heating it to a comfortable temperature. Lovely, welcoming staff/ owners

Miinukset: I wish we could have stayed for longer!

Plussat: Excellent welcoming host. Large warm well furnished room

Plussat: Everything was comfortable and the views were amazing

Miinukset: No one serviced our room the next day, we ended up having to ask for more milk and ran out of toilet paper

Plussat: Ihan ok hotelli ja huone. Huone tosin oli aika pieni ja kylpyhuone oli vanha.

Plussat: location was great, right in the centre of franz josef. Room was tidy and warm.

Plussat: Lovely room, a lot larger than we expected. Warm and clean. Host was very friendly and helpful regarding restaurants and the area. Nice toiletries and great location. Good value for money. Would recommend and we’ll be back!

Plussat: The room was absolutely pristine, every surface was clean. Especially the shower.

Miinukset: Nothing.

Plussat: We were unhappy with our original room, the main reason being how noisy it was with people and vehicles going past the cabin on the loose chip driveway. Also it kind of didn't meet our expectations of what a "treehut" would be like. The receptionist did an excellent job of making us happier by moving us to a new room which was well appointed and much quieter. We unfortunately did not get her name but greatly appreciate the fine job she did.

Miinukset: Our initial room.

Plussat: Everything’s

Miinukset: I love everything

Plussat: The room was super clean and modern. Bed very comfortable. Great value and located right next to the glacier.

Miinukset: Basic double rooms have an entire glass sliding for for a wall- which means you can hear everything outside. This is a spot for backpackers, so people are up late and loud.

Plussat: Friendly staff, great setting, comfy bed

Miinukset: Quite noisy (very little soundproofing and able to hear everyone walking or driving past the room)

Plussat: This is possibly the best place I have every stayed. Set in beautiful grounds the resort caters to motor homes, back packers all the way through to Deluxe tree houses. And it has a public spa pool (swim spa size). The restaurant was also great and the location is convenient.

Miinukset: Leaving!

Plussat: The location is good for seeing the Franz Josef glacier.

Miinukset: The key thing to know about Rainforest Retreat is that it's a sprawling complex-- one part serves backpackers and summer employees, and the other has higher end options. The higher end options--like the tree huts--aren't worth the money. We experienced the following challenges while there: - There was a major water shortage during our stay. This had happened before (google Franz Josef and water shortages and you'll see several hits), and the next town over (Fox Glacier) had running water. -The hotel staff blamed the water shortage on the city government (which was true), but did nothing for the guests during this time. Since they were shipping water in, the water wasn't potable/safe to drink, but we didn't find that out until we walked into reception. We had to buy our own bottled water to have drinking water. - The hotel staff also refused to do anything when our room had no running water-- they similarly blamed this on the city. However, that wasn't entirely true-- the backpackers had running water for their shower, and the maintenance people (who came 10 hours later) told us that a clogged water filter was why our particular hut had no water. The maintenance staff did eventually fix this so that we were able to shower once during our stay. - The walls between the units were paper thin. When our neighbors in the adjoining unit came home, we heard every movement they made, down to their lying down on the bed. - All of the furnishings were worn and had seen better days. In short, this was not worth $200 a night for a room. I would expect the hotel staff to ensure I have safe water to drink, that any maintenance issues are promptly dealt with (and that staff actually listened to their guests' concerns), and that the business tries to provide a good experience for their guests regardless of the external conditions. For somewhere nice, I would suggest you stay somewhere else, probably in the Fox Glacier township.

Plussat: Such a beautiful view

Miinukset: We stayed the weekend before was so Happy with our stay we came back. Our room was a lot tinyer and we had to use the bathroom sink to put water in our jug. And we ended up spending more at the place. Our bed was never made and we stayed 2 nights

Plussat: Free upgrade, beds were comfy, facilities were great, restaurant was awesome, great food and value.

Miinukset: The fridge was very noisy, especially when trying to sleep

Plussat: Fabulous huge hot tub under the stars, plus cute sauna. Excellent bedroom, comfortable bed and heater/blankets meant we were very cosy. Water in the fridge and good bathroom. Friendly helpful staff.

Miinukset: Could hear through walls a little - showers on and people snoring. Shared kitchen had mostly broken hobs, not as well stocked and little dirty, but was functional and plenty of space.

Plussat: Location was perfect, room was warm and comfortable

Plussat: Welcoming staff, very friendly! The location was great for Franz Josef and fox glacier only a 30 min drive away!

Plussat: The friendliness of the staff especially after covid shutdown

Plussat: Warm, comfortable and hospitable with spacious room; open fire in the bar/ dining area; well- priced menu with good food also available to outsiders as take-away. Trading in difficult times we were really pleased to find them open in mid winter and loved our two night stay. Standout staff.

Plussat: The breakfast was delicious. and the morning view was amazing.

Miinukset: N/A

Plussat: Large bed very comfortable with a excellent scenic view from room

Miinukset: Shower Water temperature fluctuations

Plussat: the view of glacier from bedroom window

Miinukset: No spa facilities,restaurant on site not open, reception on site not open, no internet on site - could be due to time of year of stay.

Plussat: Hotel situated in a great location near to the glacier with lots of good restaurants within metres. Hotel room very well equipped and very warm which was welcoming as it was freezing when we arrived. Hotel staff were so friendly and helpful too. Definitely stay there again when visiting the area.

Plussat: Probably biggest hotel in frank josef. Right in the centre of town. Comfertable rooms. Good view of Glacier from some rooms.

Plussat: Staff friendly, helpful and courteous. Location close to the glacier was excellent for views of beautiful scenery both at sunset and sunrise.

Plussat: IMHO, hotel is a very overpriced - i paid 170NZD for the room, while in Queenstown i paid just 250NZD for two bedroom/bathroom apartments at Oak Shores with lakeview! Here for company of three i had to book two rooms so i end up paying 340NZD. I would say that this hotel needs serious bathroom upgrade - everything is very old and outdated.

Miinukset: Overpriced and rooms need upgrade

Plussat: Staff were helpfull in agreeing that price quoted on line was unrealistic relative to the facilities in the hotel.

Miinukset: Hotel facilities and appearance are dated and badly need refurbishment.

Plussat: localization

Miinukset: Bathroom. Bad shower, the bathroom was flooded.

Plussat: Great location and mountain views.

Miinukset: Bathroom was a bit small and could do with upgrading.

Plussat: Inexpensive and fine for a night. Staff were great and the free soup was delicious and a much-appreciated bonus!

Plussat: Huone tosi hyvä. Sijainti hyvä.

Miinukset: Keittiö ja yhteiset tilat kulahtaneet ja epäsiistit.

Plussat: I liked that the manager helped me find somewhere else to stay when he had to close down due to low number cause of weather and the virus outbreak. He got me a room across the street and payed the difference himself.

Plussat: The room and bathroom were GREAT for a 3 night's stay AMAZING (seriously) mattress. I've never slept on a more comfortable mattress in the past year of traveling as a digital nomad. Excellent desk to get some computer work done (!) Free soup every evening Hot tub

Miinukset: There were some raccoons or possums rapping on the ceiling, an odd but harmless experience, and nothing the staff can really do much about :) Can openers didn't really work.

Plussat: Everything was perfect! Really nice staff! Thank you!

Plussat: The receptionist was pleasant

Miinukset: The base of the bed was almost on the floor but surprisingly enough, the bed was quite comfortable. The whole place is run down and passed shabby. I was glad to leVe.

Plussat: I stayed at the dorms and everyone were super sociable. Great location in town. Great social area to meet other travelers from different countries. The free soup every evening was delicious. I will definitely consider coming back there on my next visit to Franz Joseph

Miinukset: The room is small and the bed was a bit uncomfortable, but the overall experience was great!