Name: Legacy Te Waonui Hotel Franz Josef, Franz Josef
Address: 3 Wallace Street, State Highway 6, Franz Josef, West Coast, 7856
Price range: US$589+
Rating: 8.3

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Legacy Te Waonui Hotel Franz Josef Exterior photo

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Key details

About the Hotel

3 Wallace Street, State Highway 6, Franz Josef, 7856

Near the Callery Gorge Walk

Great

8.3

9.3

/10

4.5

4.7

Loved by Legacy Te Waonui Hotel Franz Josef guests

Friendly staff

Spacious rooms

High-quality meal

Heated floors

"Located near the stunning Franz Josef Glacier, the Te Waonui Forest Retreat is a well-presented and maintained hotel surrounded by nature."

weluv2travelSydney from Australia

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"The location in the middle of the temperate rainforest and its access to the Franz-Joseph glacier is great."

Daniel from United States

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"My room was very comfortable and was surrounded by forest."

Robert

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5-star eco-designed luxury retreat in Franz Josef

Accommodation

Te Waonui Forest Retreat offers 97 guest rooms thoughtfully designed to harmonize with nature. Each room includes a private balcony overlooking lush rainforest, ensuring guests can connect with their surroundings. The en-suite bathrooms feature heated floors, mirror demisters, and luxury toiletries, enhancing the overall experience.

Dining

The Canopy Restaurant showcases a five-course degustation menu that highlights local New Zealand produce. The Frond Bar offers a selection of crafted cocktails, fine wines, and spirits in a serene rainforest setting. Guests can enjoy an exquisite dining experience paired with stunning views of the natural surroundings.

Location

Te Waonui Forest Retreat is situated in the heart of Franz Josef on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. The property provides direct access to the South West World Heritage Area, filled with mountains, glaciers, and rivers. This unique location offers an immersive experience in the area's untouched natural beauty.

Sustainability

The retreat emphasizes eco-friendly practices, utilizing sustainable building materials and energy-efficient design. Natural wool carpets and organic cotton bedspreads contribute to reducing the carbon footprint. Te Waonui proudly holds a Qualmark Enviro Gold award, underscoring its commitment to sustainable tourism.

Business Retreats

Te Waonui Forest Retreat is equipped for executive retreats, accommodating up to 40 guests for bespoke meetings. A designated team is available to customize itineraries that blend work with nature-based activities. The exclusive use option allows for private gatherings in a tranquil environment.

Highlights

Location: Situated in Franz Josef on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island

Rooms: 97 guest rooms with private balconies

Dining: Canopy Restaurant with a five-course degustation menu

Sustainability: Qualmark Enviro Gold award

Business: Accommodates up to 40 guests for meetings

“Legacy Te Waonui strikes me as a committed eco-luxury experience near Franz Josef Glacier, though the dining seems to have occasional service lapses that don't align with its five-star aspirations. The rainforest setting undeniably creates a special lodge-style ambiance, and the sustainable design is a genuine highlight, but ensure you clarify room views to avoid overlooking neighboring windows.”

Anna BlackEditor-in-Chief at Tohotel

Location: Perfect

9.2/10Review score

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Highlights from guests

DiningDegustation Heaven

Dinner was a five-course feast. The restaurant provided vegan options. Bread and hors d'oeuvres were complimentary.

Gordan Ramsay from United Kingdom

Review on

BathroomUnderfloor Bliss

The spacious bathroom featured underfloor heating. There was a demister mirror, plus a separate bath and shower.

Naomi Watts from Australia

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Room FeaturesForest Views

The room was spacious and well-appointed, with a balcony looking out into the lush greenery of the rainforest.

Greta Thunberg from Sweden

Review on

Guest ParkingEasy parking

There was lots of free parking on the hotel grounds. This made arrival and departure very simple.

Eddie Irvine from Northern Ireland

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Select your room type

Legacy Te Waonui Hotel Franz Josef offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Deluxe Twin Room

2 persons

33 sq. feet

2 Double beds

Air conditioning

Balcony

room details

Deluxe King Room

2 persons

33 sq. feet

1 King-size bed

Air conditioning

Balcony

room details

Price and Room Availability Calendar

Check availability and prices for your dates now!

September 2026 - September 2027

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Check-in/ Check-out

Facilities

Legacy Te Waonui Hotel Franz Josef offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Facilities: Great

8.3/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Express check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Lift
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Valet parking
Housekeeping
Laundry
Tours/Ticket assistance
Welcome drink

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Special diet menus

Business

Fax/Photocopying

Children

Board games
Children's menu

Spa & Leisure

Sun terrace
Garden area
Leisure/ TV room
Spa & wellness centre

Room features

Air conditioning
Sitting area
Patio
Terrace
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Dining Onsite

At Legacy Te Waonui Hotel Franz Josef, The Canopy Restaurant shines with a menu that captures the essence of local flavors and seasonal ingredients. Surrounded by lush trees, guests can indulge in extraordinary dining experiences that include everything from hearty breakfasts to exquisite degustation dinners.

The Canopy Restaurant
Local and seasonal cuisine
Ambiance
Dine among the trees in a serene and inviting setting, where nature envelops each meal, creating a warm and tranquil atmosphere.
Key Offerings
Savor a carefully crafted five-course degustation dinner that highlights the freshest locally sourced produce, alongside options that cater to vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets for an inclusive culinary experience.
Reservation
Reservations are recommended to secure your dining experience.
Open for breakfast from 07:00 to 10:00 and dinner from 18:00 to 20:30, seven days a week.

Legacy Te Waonui Hotel Franz Josef Location

3 Wallace Street, State Highway 6, Franz Josef, 7856

Explore Franz Josef

Explore the Best of Franz Josef

West Coast Wildlife Centre

15 minutes' walk

Wildlife sanctuary featuring native New Zealand species, with interactive exhibits and opportunities to see rare Kiwi up close.

Glacier Hot Pools

15 minutes' walk

Relaxing natural hot pools set in lush rainforest, perfect for unwinding after a day of adventure in Franz Josef.

Glacier Country Kayaks

10 minutes' walk

Kayaking tours on the stunning waters of the region, offering an up-close view of the surrounding glaciers and scenery.

Mountain Helicopters

15 minutes' walk

Helicopter tours providing thrilling aerial views of Franz Josef Glacier and the Southern Alps, available year-round.

The Canopy Restaurant

1 minute' walk

Beautifully designed restaurant serving local cuisine and seasonal ingredients, with a cozy atmosphere and farm-to-table focus.

Alice May

4 minutes' walk

Casual dining with a warm ambiance, known for its delicious lamb dishes and a good selection of local wines.

Monsoon Bar & Restaurant

2 minutes' walk

Lively bar with a vibrant atmosphere, featuring local beers, cocktails, and regular live music events on weekends.

Snake Bite Brewery

5 minutes' walk

Local brewery offering craft beers with community vibes, including tasting options and occasional food specials.

Getting around

City Centre
Franz Josef 3 min · 700 ft
Airports
Hokitika (HKK) 204 min · 84.3 mi

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-23:59

Check-out

from 06:00-11:00

Guest Parking

Public parking is possible on site for free.

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Breakfast

You can start your day with a full breakfast, which costs NZD 40.0 per person.

Children & extra beds

There are no cots provided in a room.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Number of rooms:

Former name

te waonui forest retreat

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about Legacy Te Waonui Hotel Franz Josef from previous guests about their experience.

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

Legacy Te Waonui Hotel offers a tranquil retreat with many guests appreciating the spacious, well-equipped rooms featuring balconies that open up to views of the surrounding rainforest, creating a serene atmosphere. The five-course degustation dinner receives frequent praise, and the diverse breakfast options are also a highlight for many, though some guests have found the restaurant service to be slow at times. Conveniently located for visiting Franz Josef Glacier, the hotel provides ample free parking and is within walking distance to local restaurants and attractions, making it a good value for exploring the area.

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Review score

Based on 480 verified reviews

8.6 /10

Great

85 %

Recommend

Location

9.2/10

Free WiFi

9.1/10

Value for money

7.3/10

Paid Wi-Fi

8.1/10

Pros

Spacious room

Great service

Comfortable bed

Delicious food

Cons

Missing amenities

No cocktails

James from United Kingdom

Couple

Deluxe King Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: February 09, 2026

8.5/10

forest serenity

spacious room comfortable bed shower thoughtful touch

the room was quite spacious (i had a beautiful king room). the bed was super comfortable and perfect. the bathroom included both a shower and a bathtub. i found the bottled water delivered each night a nice touch.

parking was slightly limited on one evening.

Service

9/10

the staff extended a warm welcome, beginning with a good drink upon check-in. attention to detail was apparent as they assisted with internet access. i greatly valued the attentive service during dinner in the restaurant.

Location

8/10

the hotel sits in a serene location bordering native forest. this proximity to the lush greenery offered a very peaceful ambience. i found it very convenient to explore local attractions despite its secluded feel.

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Aiden from United States

Single

Deluxe Twin Room

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: November 28, 2025

5/10

dirty bathroom unfinished cleaning

Our room WAS NOT cleaned properly after our first night. The bathroom only had a quick wipe. It was not finished. Dinner had to be sent back, REALLY annoying.

0 Helpful

john from united states

Family with children

deluxe twin room

3 nights in October 2025

Reviewed: November 07, 2025

6/10

underwhelming stay , not worth the price

impatient waiter slow service

the room was spacious enough , which was acceptable.

the restaurant service was slow , and i felt rushed during my meal. the waiter seemed impatient when i wasn't ready for the next course , it was quite off-putting.

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