Peter and Melanie are excellent hosts, communicating swiftly right from the start and always making sure their guests have everything they need. Check-in was effortless, with Peter welcoming us, showing us around the apartment and providing us with dozens of recommendations for things to do, places to go and to eat and even a local newspaper for the latest updates; no need to carry around leaflets, everything you may need is already there :)
Peter's and Melanie's house is a jewel on top of a hill in a quiet residential neighbourhood overlooking parts of Taupo and the lake. The place is ideal for a couple, or for a small group of friends (incl. the sofa bed) like us and it was very clean and tidy, with lots of attention to detail. We had breakfast (coffee, milk and cereals are provided) and dinner (incl. use of the BBQ; there's no oven) on the back terrace every day, listening to the funny calls of some crazy birds and admiring the well-kept, colourful garden, which made for a supremely relaxing atmosphere. Also, you'll love the power-shower, especially after a long day of hiking or after having bath in the hot pools in and around Taupo.
As the lodge is in a residential area, it's best to have a car to get around, but Peter and Melanie also offer a pair of bikes, including helmets. We even got a chance to briefly meet Coco and Colby, who won't intrude at all if you prefer a pet-free holiday.
All in all, we tremendously enjoyed our stay at the Lodge and would recommend it to anyone looking for a nice relaxing place to set up base at the heart of the North Island!