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  5. Reviews of Rustic, Basic Cosy Alpine Hut, in the middle of the Mountains

Reviews of Rustic, Basic Cosy Alpine Hut, in the middle of the Mountains

6559 State Highway 73 Highway Unit 1, 7875 Otira, New Zealand

#4 of 5 hotels in Otira

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 47 hotel reviews

7.8

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.0

  • Comfort

    7.8

  • Location

    8.5

  • Facilities

    7.9

  • Staff

    8.7

  • Value for money

    8.0

  • Free Wifi

    7.5

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Showing 1 - 25

  • Reviewed: March 31, 2025

    8.0
    Exactly how described
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Fun little basic hut in Arthur’s pass. Had a great night cooking dinner and listening to old records on the record player. Had a nice fire in the pot belly stove in the morning.It’s exactly as the host describes. Very basic

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: March 13, 2025

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I really like the instructions that the host gave us before our stay. So nothing was unexpected. We also liked the place because it has a good vibe and felt quite cozy.. the batch itself was quite old fashioned but that part we liked also. It was a good rest for one night! You could say that it is not the most convenient place to stay, but the atmosphere was really good. Also the place felt clean

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: March 7, 2025

    8.0
    A real adventure.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night

    The outside toilet would have been a pain in the rain at night.

    All of the facilities were fully functional. The cooker, water, toilet, and fridge all worked well. Staying overnight had a camping feel about it.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: February 25, 2025

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    We are railways kids, so freaking loved the trains going past. Road noise was minimal. Lovely comfy beds. Beautiful environment. We went out for dinner, so can't rate the cooking facilities aside from snacks and tea and coffee. Both my brother and I will come back. The dog had a lovely time too.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: February 21, 2025

    7.0
    Very basic but adequate for a night.
    • Leisure trip
    • Travelers with friends
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Very basic but clean and cosy

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: January 30, 2025

    8.0
    Does exactly what it says on the tin
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    We knew it was outside bathroom. The sand flies were pretty bad even with repellent and I got badly bitten. Not the hosts fault.

    Exactly as described. This is basic but everything you need. The train is loud but brief. Doesn't run at night. Otherwise very secluded. What an awesome privilege to be in this special place.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: January 5, 2025

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night

    Just a suggestion -the message about turning the hot water on is great if it isn't already on - instead it must have already been on, so we turned it off and the water went cold. Better to have a clear indication on the switch to identify what is "on" for your international visitors. Also might be time to tidy up the electrics.

    The property was as described - a rustic hut with reasonable facilities, fine for an overnight on Highway 73. Very helpful information provided to ensure guests can find the place, and also information of nearest location for supplies.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: December 29, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Rat poison

    Honest host and the stay is a bit of an adventure

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: December 15, 2024

    8.0
    Perfect little cabin in the wilds.....
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night

    Nothing.....we were prepared for a rustic cabin stay as advertised.

    Loved a wood stove to warm the tiny cabin on a cool, drizzly day..... Air fryer is a perfect replacement for an oven.

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: December 1, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Warm clean and cosy.

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: November 29, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Was happy with our stay

    All we needed good shower plenty of hot water great fire comfy beds.So tired after busy days hardly heard the trains. Would stay again

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: November 16, 2024

    9.0
    Great experience - really rustic - just as we expected
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Floor covering was wet inside and bedding was very tired - haven’t slept in flannelette sheets for decades.

    Amazing location and unique experience. Wood burning stove was fabulous as the temperature dropped at night. Really fantastic base in the middle of the mountains with basic facilities. We loved it- even the train noises.

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: October 24, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Very Remote and calming

    Stayed in September 2024

  • Reviewed: September 17, 2024

    8.0
    We really enjoyed playing all the old records. The shower was super hot and quick to heat up.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Close to the start of our tramp the next day.

    Stayed in September 2024

  • Reviewed: February 29, 2024

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Directions all correct, but still tricky to spot from one direction. Cone accurately placed but there are so many about!

    Neutral ratings because it was, as advertised, very basic, , but with unexpected mod. cons.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: February 28, 2025

    3.0
    Basic rustic cabin uhuh. Well. it's more a RUSTY mess...
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night

    Beware that the description of this place doesn't match the place. After we booked the owner warned us that the toilet was outside. Okay, am not fuzzy but upon arrival it turned out the shower is also outside. It's a covered crappy built expanded part next to the shed, immediately behind the entrance. Even that is fine, though when we opened the entrance door it fell out of the hinges, because the wood underneath had been visible rotten away. When we contacted the owner he lackluster told us the previous host had broken the door that morning and he had forgotten to tell us. Right. He was very accusatory that the former guest hadn't opened the door properly to the inside, while it was clear the wood had expanded and that would have been impossible to do. Because it was blazenly cold and it was superwindy outside, we couldn't take a shower without everything would have blown away, and already been frozen to the bone because of the weather. Also for the stove the firelighters where nowhere to be found. And the lockbox where the key was stored in was so old and stuck I had to cram it open with a rock. What was more disappointing is that when I asked the owner for some compensation, he said he would think about it and then just ignored me, as he also ignored Booking.com when I complained with them that his description of the place isn't correct. The location is nice but I was disappointed by the lack of hospitality and unresponsiveness of the owner.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: February 26, 2025

    6.0
    Fit for purpose of our one night stay.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nil

    Excellent communication from host.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: February 25, 2025

    5.0
    Ok but over priced for what it was.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I lit the wood stove but as there didn’t seem to be any fire starters most people would struggle to do this. Once the stove was lit it set off the smoke alarm which didn’t seem to have a cancel button.

    Nice location

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: February 22, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The area nice and relaxing

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: February 19, 2025

    10
    Simple cozy cabin
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The train is loud but it only came by one time in the night. It just adds to the uniqueness of this place.

    We needed a shelter close to Arthur’s pass and this was a perfect simple option for us. Super cozy beds and bedding. Perfect little kitchen with everything we needed.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: February 12, 2025

    10
    Very good and warm. I recommend!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The train is very noisy but again, it wasn't a surprise as it was mentioned in the description

    Great rustic and cosy chalet in the mountains. Nothing much to say as everything is written in the description and corresponds to the reality

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: February 4, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night

    The address did not show up on Google Maps, however the host gave very clear instructions which made it quite easy to navigate to and we did not get lost. The airfryer seemed a bit dirty from previous use, so we were unable to use it.

    Very unique stay in the middle of the mountains. It was certainly a small hut, which made for a fun experience as a part of our travels. The toilet is outside, but it was very clean and modern so it was not an issue for us. Check in instructions were very clear. It was interesting to be able to use the record player and the wood stove. We were lucky to have a relatively clear night which allowed us to have a great view of the stars

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: January 6, 2025

    10
    Great location and cozy hut
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Great location in Arthur’s pass, saw aurora in night!

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: January 2, 2025

    10
    Cozy, comfortable and idealic surrounds make it a charming peaceful place in the heart of the pass
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • One-Bedroom House
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Although the toilet was advertised as outside, it was fairly cold trying to visit it in the night. The toilet sinks drain leaked when used and needs plumbing repairs.

    Great peaceful location, with just the right amenities for a good stay. Everything was as advertised. The place was a perfect getaway for us. We're even lucky enough to catch a clear cloudless sky on New Years to see the stars twinkling

    Stayed in January 2025

Showing 1 - 25

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