KoreanToday I’m sharing my review of Haka House Lake Tekapo, a guesthouse located right in front of Lake Tekapo on New Zealand’s South Island. Haka House offers both dormitory-style shared rooms and private rooms for up to two guests — this review is based on my stay in a private room. With a 4Square supermarket and solid restaurants all within walking distance, and Lake Tekapo literally at the doorstep, the location is simply unbeatable.
Exterior
The building has a typical New Zealand small-town feel — compact and tidy. There’s also parking available, which is convenient for those on a road trip with a rental car.
Check-in & Information
At check-in, staff hand out an information sheet covering house rules, nearby attractions, and checkout procedures. A helpful touch, especially for first-time visitors to Tekapo.
Private Room
After checking in, the private room is located on the 2nd floor. It’s compact but well-organised — there’s enough space for two, natural light comes through the window, and everything you need is in place.
One standout feature: the private room comes with its own en-suite bathroom and shower booth. For a guesthouse, having a private shower rather than a shared one is a significant plus.
2nd Floor Lounge
The second floor has a comfortable lounge area with sofas and tables. After a long day of sightseeing, this was a great spot to unwind. The vibe is relaxed and it’s a natural place to strike up a conversation with fellow travellers.
Nearby 4Square Supermarket
There’s a 4Square supermarket just a short walk from the property. It stocks a solid range of ready-made meals, fresh produce, snacks, and drinks. Given how expensive eating out in Tekapo can get, picking up groceries here is a smart move.
Shared Kitchen
The view from the shared kitchen window. Cooking with scenery like this is something only Tekapo can offer.
I picked up fresh lamb from 4Square and borrowed some seasoning from a neighbour in the next room to cook a lamb steak in the shared kitchen. Honestly, this was the best lamb I’ve ever eaten — no exaggeration. And the price was about half what you’d pay for lamb back in Korea. The shared kitchen is a huge bonus for travellers looking to save on food costs.
Nearby Restaurant — Kohan Restaurant
Kohan Restaurant, just a short walk from the property, is a Japanese restaurant with a stunning view of Lake Tekapo. The bento box was particularly good, and eating it with the lake right outside the window made the price feel completely worth it. Highly recommended during your Tekapo visit.
The View Right Outside
This is the view you get the moment you step outside the door. The turquoise water of Lake Tekapo stretches out in front of you, and seeing it for the first time is genuinely breathtaking. The location alone gives this property a strong case for being the top choice in Tekapo.
Overall Verdict
Haka House Lake Tekapo has an almost unfairly good location — sitting right in front of Lake Tekapo. The shared kitchen, 2nd floor lounge, and private en-suite make the facilities solid for a guesthouse, and everything was very clean throughout my stay.
That said, the price for a private room was quite high at around NZD 200 per night in mid-February peak season. If you have a rental car, an Airbnb a little further out could be the more practical choice. It’s worth weighing location convenience against cost before booking.
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