Frequently Asked Questions.........

and Answers.

Winterwood Lodge is a holiday house, managed and cared for by the on-site owners who reside descretely in the front cottage, close enough to provide assistance if you require it and far enough away to give you privacy. The Lodge is self-housekeeping and guests must keep the Lodge in a clean and tidy condition during their stay. The Lodge accommodation is provided for a specified number of people at a pre-determined price. The arrival of extra unexpected guests will incur an added rate on top of the quoted price, with a strict maximum of 6 guests in total allowed in the Lodge, including visitors. We restrict numbers to 6 to prevent overcrowding of the facilities. No tents are allowed in the garden and friends staying elsewhere are not permitted to make use of our Lodge facilities on a daily basis.

We endeavour to provide a comfortable, pleasant and affordable environment for your holiday. If you would like a few suggestions and ideas for places to visit we are only too pleased to share some of our favourite secluded spots with you. We hope you enjoy your stay at Winterwood and please remember to sign our Visitor Book before you leave.

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Q. How long before I get a reply?

A. We check our emails regularly, so if you have not received a reply you may have provided us with an incorrect email address or exceeded your Inbox limit, and please check that your Inbox settings will accept our reply, as we are not Spam.

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Q. How do I confirm my stay?

A. Please appreciate and understand that we need your full contact details when you book the cottage, we're sure you would not rent your house out with nothing more than a name and mobile phone number. We also require full payment to secure your booking. Although we are unable to hold unpaid bookings, we do allow enough time for your prompt payment to reach us by mail, usually 2 to 3 days. Upon receipt of your payment, we will email or phone you with confirmation, directions and key arrangements. Overseas guests make special arrangements to provide payment. Upon receipt of your confirmed booking, we reserve the Lodge exclusively for your use and turn away all other interested inquiries and potential bookings for the period of your stay (see cancellation policy below).

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Q. What is your Cancellation Policy?

A. Winterwood Lodge is a private holiday cottage, not a motel with several units. When you book our holiday cottage we hold the Lodge exclusively for you and are unable to rearrange guest bookings if you change your mind. Very often, in the meantime, we will have turned other people away. Refunds are therefore only negotiable if we can find a replacement booking in the time left available. Last minute cancellations, especially during the Ski Season and School Holidays, may not be refundable. In winter the region is sometimes subject to Road Closures at night with ice and snow, you may need to travel earlier in the day and also allow time to travel via an alternative route around the mountains.

IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE: The house must be occuppied by the persons who booked it, and the house must not be re-let to persons unknown to us without our written permission and approval.

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Q. The weather looks like rain, can we cancel at the last minute and expect a refund?

A. Unfortunately no, because we have probably turned someone else away in the meantime. This is a mountain region and there is every chance there will be some rain during your stay. A visit to the mountains can be a wonderful experience in the falling snow! There are other alternative activities to enjoy if the weather turns bad, rafting in the rain is fun followed by a soak in the local hot thermal pools, and we have a new Indoor climbing wall in Turangi. Usually any bad weather passes through very quickly, often overnight, and very often we miss it altogether as we are sheltered between the western and eastern ranges in a small micro-climate of our own. The weather forecasts are not always accurate as the black clouds tend to stop over Mt Pihanga or pass around us over the Ranges while we still enjoy sunshine and blue skies. Be prepared for Road Closures in winter (see above).

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Q. Do we need to bring our sheets, towels etc?

A. No, we provide all linen and bedding, electric blankets and fur rugs, and bathroom towels and kitchen linen. You need only bring your personal items, toiletries, clothes and food. The house is completely set up as a "home away from home".

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Q. Who does the cleaning/housekeeping?

A. You do it. The Lodge is self-housekeeping. Guests must keep the house clean and tidy during their stay. We also expect guests to leave it clean and tidy on departure. This is our family holiday home and we ask guests to respect our house and look after it. Carpet spills and other damage must be paid for. We have had to introduce a Cleaning Bond of $100 refundable only if the house is left in the same condition as when you arrived. Any damages or carpet cleaning costs are extra.

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Q. Are children allowed?

A. No. Regretfully we have been forced to change our policy due to a few inconsiderate guests who have left our house looking like a pig sty. The Lodge is now only available for Senior Stays, mature adults only.

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Q. Can I bring the dog?

A. No. We do not allow dogs on the property.

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Q. Is there off-street parking?

A. Yes, we have limited space but there is room for 2 vehicles to park beside the Lodge. Visitors please park on the street.

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Q. Is there room to park a boat?

A. If you have a small boat and are confident in reversing, you can back it along the driveway and still have room to park your car. A large boat would have to park on the street.

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Q. Can I go fishing and catch a trout?

A. A local trout licence is required and can be purchased from the tackle shops near the Lodge. The Tongariro River is fly fishing only, but there are other places that you can spin fish. Rods and waders can be hired from local sport shops and Fishing Guides are available for hire. Winter is our best fishing time, but fish are caught all year round. The Lodge is a short walk to the famous Hydro Pool on the Tongariro River, at the end of our street.

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Q. Does it snow at the Lodge?

A. Occasionally, on cold mornings, we see a dusting of snow on Mt Pihanga behind the Lodge. The rugged Kaimanawa Ranges, visible from the Lodge, are often snowcapped. In 1993 it actually snowed in Turangi. We live in hope that it will happen again! Morning frosts on crunchy lawns and frozen water in the birdbath keep the children fascinated. In winter there is plenty of snow on the mountains in the Tongariro National Park and skiing on Mt. Ruapehu, a scenic 35 minute drive away. You will need to keep an eye on Road Reports in winter and travel early to avoid any closures on the Desert Road at night due to ice or snow.

News Flash.....Our dreams came true! It snowed again in Turangi during the big storm, 7th July 2003. And since then, we have seen light snowflakes drifting through the air when the snow levels are low on Mt Pihanga. More snow falls in July 2008.

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Q. Do we need to bring food with us? Can we eat out, or buy takeaway food?

A. We have local shops and a large new New World Supermarket within a short drive. There is a good selection of Restaurants and TakeAway Food shops in Turangi if you wish to avoid cooking chores during your holiday.

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Q. Are we able to do our own cooking?

A. Yes, the Lodge does have full kitchen facilities for your use, however we do restrict the use of heavily spiced and odorous cooking as it leaves unpleasant smells throughout the house which are difficult to remove in the limited time available before our next guests arrive. Please open windows when cooking. If extra cleaning is required due to heavy cooking odours you may be asked to pay a cleaning fee.

If you have any further questions please email us.

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