Baillie Lodges snaps up New Zealand luxury retreat Huka Lodge

Huka Lodge, one of the world’s first luxury retreats, which hosted guests such as Queen Elizabeth, is sold for nearly $47m.

Plans are afoot for a significant upgrade and enhancement of Huka Lodge.

Australia’s Baillie Lodges has snared New Zealand government approval to purchase the world famous luxury retreat, Huka Lodge, buying it with its Colorado-based private equity partner KSL Capital Partners in tow.

The purchase of the ultra luxury retreat in Taupo on New Zealand’s North Island is the second international lodge acquisition for the Baillie Lodges group which also recently snapped up Vancouver Island’s Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge.

The purchase of Huka Lodge, believed to have been negotiated at a price of more than $NZ50m ($46.7m), took more than one year to complete due to issues including winning New Zealand government approval through its Overseas Investment Office, which is similar to Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board.

Past Huka Lodge guests include Queen Elizabeth II, Bill Gates, Joan Collins, the Spice Girls, Miuccia Prada and Dick Cheney.

Last night, Baillie Lodges co-founder James Baillie said he expected to spend more than $NZ5m upgrading Huka Lodge, which he said held an “incredible pedigree as the birthplace of luxury lodges.”

Mr Baillie said plans are afoot for a significant upgrade and enhancement of the 19-suite Huka Lodge’s main lodge, coupled with increasing the size of its dining and public spaces and creating a signature day spa and fitness facility.

“We will inject some of Baillie Lodges style of hospitality which is more contemporary and based around what we call relaxed luxury ... Baillie Lodges will look to also introduce a more inclusive rate structure at Huka,” he said.

“New Zealand was the birthplace of luxury lodges which have been replicated in Australia,” said Mr Baillie who together with KSL controls a growing portfolio of upscale lodges including Longitude 131 at Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island and Sily Oaks Lodge in Queensland’s Daintree.

The company’s flagship property, Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, was destroyed in bushfires in 2020 with its rebuild now in planning.

In a statement, KSL Principal Kirk Adamson said we view the acquisition of Huka Lodge as an important next step in the evolution of Baillie Lodges.

“We are excited to continue building our portfolio of exceptional boutique luxury lodges both within Australia and New Zealand, and also being selective and thoughtful in pursuing additional opportunities on a more global basis. For our guests, the continued expansion of Baillie Lodges opens up new, exciting itinerary options across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.”

Billed as the pioneer of the world’s first super lodges, South African businessman Alexander van Heeren purchased Huka Lodge, which extends over 7 hectares, in 1984.

Past Huka Lodge guests have included Queen Elizabeth II and Bill Gates. Picture: Huka Lodge