Kauawhi Lakefront Lodge is a luxurious three bedroom holiday home located on the shores of Lake Taupo. This well-appointed and welcoming home won first place in category 6 of the Registered Master Builders' Federation House of the Year competition in 1999, and makes for the ultimate retreat.
Kauawhi Lakefront Lodge is a gorgeous split-level lakefront lodge, with direct access to Lake Taupo via a path at the front of the house, leading to a secluded beach on the beautiful Lake Taupo.
Outdoor living is made easy at this Acacia Bay accommodation. Folding sliding doors on the lakefront side of the house ensure a seamless transition from inside to outside during the summer months and the seculded north facing courtyard and outdoor fireplace is a year round sun-trap.
On the lakefront terrace there's plenty of outdoor space to relax with deck chairs and an outdoor dining table and chairs to sit back, relax, and take in the exquisite views.
The beautifully decorated interior holds all the amenities you need for a relaxing getaway, both for couples or families, You’ll find a Jetmaster fire to enjoy in winter, and a smart TV with a DVD player and DVD library. There's a Jaimo sound system with speakers stretching into both living areas, meaning you never have to be away from your favourite tunes.
Sink back into the luxurious couches and take your pick of reading material from the extensive library. Open plan living allows you to enjoy cooking in the beautiful kitchen, while your loved ones relax in the lounge. Check out the hidden butler’s pantry with doors leading out on the back terrace.
Three elegant bedrooms, all with ensuites, make up the spacious living quarters. Upstairs enjoy the master suite, consisting of a super king bed, Bose CD player and walk-in wardrobe. Walk out onto the balcony offering an incredible vantage point and say good morning to those amazing lake views! Downstairs you’ll find two more bedrooms, one with a queen sized bed, and the other with two double beds.
If you're planning something special, we can assist with concierge services, such as a hunting/fishing guide or a guest chef for dinner.
Indulge in relaxation, style and serenity at Kauawhi Lakefront Lodge! The living area is multi-level with a drop of 60cm between the dining and living room. Guests should take care in this area.
There is a separate studio apartment rented on a permanent basis underneath the house. It is not visible from the house, as it is underneath the deck.
Parking for cars is available in the Battleaxe driveway. Do not enter or use next door's gate (795 Acacia Bay) for any purpose; it is not a part of the Kauawhi Lodge.
Boats need to be parked on the street as there is restricted space in the driveway.
Please note a bond may be charged at certain times of the year. One of our team members will contact you if this is required for your booking.
IMPORTANT: Please note there is a 24 hour notice requirement for all winter bookings at this property.
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Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Parking available
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
About the area
Taupō
Located near the beach, this cottage is in Acacia Bay, a neighbourhood in Taupō. A.C. Baths and Maori Carvings are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Taupō Marina and Boat Ramp and Golf Club Taupō. Spa Thermal Park and Waipahihi Botanical Gardens are also worth visiting. Take the opportunity to explore the area for water adventures such as fishing.
Taupō i-SITE Visitor Information Centre - 5 min drive - 5.7 km
Taupō Museum and Art Gallery - 5 min drive - 5.7 km
Spa Thermal Park - 7 min drive - 7.8 km
A.C. Baths - 8 min drive - 8.5 km
Getting around
Taupō Airport (TUO) - 23 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 8 min drive
Japan Deli - 7 min drive
Dixie Brown's Cafe - 8 min drive
Replete Food Company - 7 min drive
Cafe Baku - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Kauawhi Lodge - Acacia Bay Holiday Home pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Kauawhi Lodge - Acacia Bay Holiday Home?
As of 18 Apr, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Kauawhi Lodge - Acacia Bay Holiday Home on 1 Jun, 2026 start from S$242, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Kauawhi Lodge - Acacia Bay Holiday Home?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Kauawhi Lodge - Acacia Bay Holiday Home?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Kauawhi Lodge - Acacia Bay Holiday Home?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Kauawhi Lodge - Acacia Bay Holiday Home located?
Located in Acacia Bay, this cottage is within 6 miles (10 km) of Lake Taupō, Taupō i-SITE Visitor Information Centre and Taupō Marina and Boat Ramp. Taupō Museum and Art Gallery and Waikato River are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Beautiful spot for our holiday. House was clean and has so much character. Everything you need was avaliable. Far enough out of town to be out if the busy central but close enough to pop back and do things. We will be returning to this holiday home.
Kirsty A.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Mar, 2026
Hi there,
Thanks for the wonderful feedback. Great to hear you had such a beautiful holiday.
Fantastic to hear you’re planning to return. We’d love to host you again.
Best,
Bachcare Reputation and Resolutions Team
Lovely and interesting house. Excellent access to a good beach with safe swimming. Our labrador loved the location with lots swims. Everything we could ask for in this property. Everything worked just fine.
Lindsay W.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jan, 2026
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. It is wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the unique character of the house and the easy access to the beach for safe swimming. It sounds like your labrador had a fantastic holiday as well which is lovely to hear. We are pleased that everything met your expectations and that everything worked well during your stay. We would be delighted to welcome you back again.
Reputation and Resolutions Coordinators
Great weekend break with 3 couples and 1 dog. Highly recommended this house and location.
Richard S.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Jan, 2025
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a positive review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and we hope to have the pleasure of hosting you again in the future. Thanks again for choosing to stay with us!
Lovely open plan living areas with open fire in main lounge , large deck of living areas , bathrooms for every bedroom . Steps down to lake which is great . Wonderful time had by everyone , will definately stay there again . Recommend this home to anyone and everyonelooking for a relaxed, enchanting stay .
Paul B.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jul, 2025
Kia ora,
Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the open-plan living, cosy fireplace, and the spacious deck—such a great setup for a relaxing stay. It’s fantastic that the lake access and multiple bathrooms added to the comfort for everyone.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back for another enchanting getaway in the future!
Reputation & Resolutions Coordinators, Bachcare
Thank you for your lovely review Sharon. We're so pleased to hear your special catchup was just perfect. We hope to welcome you back again soon for another memorable stay.
Reputation & Resolutions Coordinators
From a partner site
8/10 Good
Laureline M.
4 Nov, 2018
The property is amazing with close access to the lake
The property is amazing with close access to the lake. very comfortable house
Laureline M.
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jun, 2023
We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed your stay with us! We really appreciate you taking the time to leave us a review, and we hope to see you back again soon! - Scotty
Im sure this house would be nice in summer, but as for a nice winter break it was miserable. Heating of the entire house is an open fire in the lounge. Which we had to get up every 2 hours in the night to stoak up and bring in more firewood. The underfloor heat was not working. We found some heaters in the cleaners room which we used. Stayed 1 night, then left. Would not recommend for a winter break.
Cat W.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 22 May, 2025
Catherine, we're truly sorry your winter stay fell short of expectations and appreciate you taking the time to share this feedback. It’s clear that the heating setup was inadequate for the colder months, and we’re looking into the underfloor heating functionality and reassessing the property's suitability as a year-round option. Your comments are valuable in helping us improve the experience for future guests.
Reputation & Resolutions Coordinators, Bachcare.
Verified
6/10 Okay
Andy F.
17 Sept, 2023
Liked: Check-in
Disliked: Communication, listing accuracy
Acacia Bay Road
We were unsure if we had the entire property or not, as we read after booking that the flat underneath was occupied.
We did not know if we were able to use the attached (empty) garage or not.
The WiFi did not work at all (the Deco WiFi expanders were flashing red and not connected) there was no Sky TV, we eventually managed to find TVNZ+ on the TV and only two live TV channels.
We did not know that there are multiple stairs/levels and stone floors which was difficult for an elderly guest. There were electric heaters in the bedrooms, but the only heat source for the rest of the large lounge, study, kitchen, seating area is a very large open fire, for which two bags of firewood and one bag of kindling were supplied. The firewood was all gone after one night and we had to go and buy more on the Saturday morning as it was very cold.
There is an old dial type thermostat for "underfloor heating" which we turned up but all the floors were cold to the touch throughout our stay.
The ensuite extractor fan upstairs is VERY loud, screeching and rattling when on. We made the most of our stay but expected better for what we paid for.
Very nice home just steps away from the lakeshore, views of the lake from the upper and lower level. Spacious, with plenty of comfortable areas to relax. Garage access. Will need a car to get to amenities. Nice town. Huka Falls is a must see.
Susan D.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Apr, 2026
We’re really glad to hear you enjoyed the lovely lakeside setting and found the home spacious and comfortable for relaxing. It’s great to know the views and layout worked well for your stay.
Thank you for choosing Bachcare, and we’d love to welcome you back again.
So much so we are coming back in a couple of weeks to share with other friends. 3 nights felt like a week away. This place is a home with everything you could possibly need. We felt quite privileged that we could book it for a weekend and didn’t go anywhere, I took plenty of great food and wine and we just enjoyed the space and the lake. Thank you x
Superb spot for r'n'r, restful, tasteful, very well equipped. Bonus is 🐕 allowed too (and inside) so this part of our family didn't get left out. Perfect for family catch up. Not for small children but as that was not applicable to us it was just perfect.
House was in a fantastic location and so lovely and warm with underfloor heating on for our arrival and the open fire for the nights. Absolutely everything you need to cook up a feast in the beautiful kitchen. Lovely furnishings and comfortable beds. Wish we could have stayed for longer. Appreciated house being pet friendly with even dog towels/blankets and bowls provided.
Maree S.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jun, 2023
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us such a lovely review Maree! Sounds like you all had an amazing time away at Kauawhi Lodge and we can’t wait to host you again sometime in the near future! - Scotty
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
jean s.
12 Mar, 2018
Beautiful home and fantastic lake view.
Beautiful home and fantastic lake view.
jean s.
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jun, 2023
Thanks for leaving a review! Glad to hear you enjoyed the property. - Jessie
Archival
10/10 Excellent
mandy p.
10 Nov, 2017
Beautiful house, clean and upmarket.
Beautiful house, clean and upmarket. A great location to stay right by the lake. We will be back
mandy p.
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jun, 2023
Glad to hear you enjoyed the house. We'll see you next time! Cheers, Phoebe
Archival
8/10 Good
Leon W.
14 Oct, 2017
Good place to spend with family, great view, has all accessories you need.
Good place to spend with family, great view, has all accessories you need.