Franz Alpine Retreat

4.0 star property

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Franz Alpine Retreat

Unit, 1 Queen Bed, Accessible, Mountain View | View from room
21-inch flat-screen TV with satellite channels, TV
1 bedroom, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
1 bedroom, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Courtyard view

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast available
  • Room service
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
2 Donovan Drive, Sh 6, Franz Josef Glacier, 7886
  • Westcoast Wildlife Centre
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Glacier Hot Pools
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Waiho Hot Tubs
    ‪4 min drive‬

Room options

Unit, 1 Queen Bed, Accessible, Mountain View

  • 35 sq m
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Chalet 2 Bedrooms Disabled Access

  • 69 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

Unit, 1 Queen bed

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • 35 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Chalet, 2 Bedrooms

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(3 reviews)
  • 69 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 King Bed

Chalet, 2 Bedrooms, Courtyard Area

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 69 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 2 Single Beds

Cottage, 1 Queen Bed, Kitchen, Courtyard Area

  • 40 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Chalet, 1 Bedroom

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • 69 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed OR 2 Single Beds

2 Bedroom Cottage

  • 80 sq m
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Single Beds

Chalet, 2 Bedrooms, Garden View

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(3 reviews)
  • 69 sq m
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Double Bed and 3 Single Beds

Similar properties

About this property

Franz Alpine Retreat

Motel with free parking, near Glacier Hot Pools
Tour/ticket assistance, a garden and a front desk safe are available at this motel. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Housekeeping is available on request.
Franz Alpine Retreat offers 17 accommodations with coffee/tea makers and a hairdryer. Rooms open to balconies or patios. Fridges and microwaves are provided. Bathrooms include a shower with a hydromassage showerhead, and complimentary toiletries.

Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. 21-inch flat-screen televisions come with satellite channels. An iron/ironing board and change of towels can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on request.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or nearby; fees may apply.
During your stay at Franz Alpine Retreat, you'll be within walking distance of Te Wahipounamu. You'll find features such as free WiFi in public areas and free self-parking, plus breakfast (surcharge).
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self-parking
  • Continental breakfast served daily for a fee
  • Amenities include a front desk safe and a terrace
  • On-site recreation includes helicopter/aeroplane tours
  • Just a 4-minute drive from Westcoast Wildlife Centre and a few minutes from Glacier Hot Pools
Franz Alpine Retreat offers its guests a terrace, tour/ticket assistance, and a garden. WiFi is free in public spaces. Self parking is free.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this 4-star Franz Josef Glacier motel.

For a fee, guests can enjoy a continental breakfast daily from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Room service is available.

Languages

Chinese (Mandarin), English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily continental breakfast available 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee: NZD 15 for adults and NZD 15 for children

Things to do

  • Helicopter/aeroplane tours

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Change of towels on request
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • In the mountains
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Grab bar near toilet
  • No lift
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking

More

  • Built in 2008
  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Hydromassage showerhead
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 21-inch flat-screen TV with satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Room service
  • Toaster

More

  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Portable fan

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 7:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

The property charges 2.5 per cent for credit card payments
The front desk is open daily from 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Guests planning to arrive outside normal check-in hours will receive an email within 7 days before arrival with check-in instructions and key retrieval information; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 7:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours), key retrieval

Pets

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for NZD 45.0 per night.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • Deposit: NZD 50 per day
  • Breakage deposit: NZD 50 per day

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for continental breakfast: from approximately NZD 15 for adults and from NZD 15 for children
  • Rollaway bed fee: NZD 45.0 per night
  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 2.5 per cent

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts major credit cards, debit cards and cash
Safety features at this property include a smoke detector
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
The front desk at this property is open daily from 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM.
To arrange for check-in, guests must contact the property at least 24 hours prior to arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests arriving after 7:00 PM must make advance arrangements by contacting the property using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours must contact the property in advance for check-in information and key retrieval information. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.

We should mention

  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.
  • Guests may experience noise disturbance due to nearby construction work.

National rating

For the benefit of our customers, we have provided a rating based on our ratings system.

Property is also known as

Franz Alpine Retreat Cabin
Franz Alpine Retreat Cabin Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Alpine Retreat Franz Josef Glacier
Jag Escape Franz Alpine Retreat Cabin Franz Josef Glacier
Jag Escape Franz Alpine Retreat Cabin
Jag Escape Franz Alpine Retreat Franz Josef Glacier
Jag Escape Franz Alpine Retreat
Franz Alpine Retreat Motel
Jag Escape Franz Alpine Retreat
Franz Alpine Retreat Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Alpine Retreat Motel Franz Josef Glacier

Franz Alpine Retreat Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 252 out of 468 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 150 out of 468 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 45 out of 468 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 13 out of 468 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 8 out of 468 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jeff

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A good place to stay that is away from the city center but close enough. Great ability to see stars at night.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Liz

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Spent a fabulous night here while waiting to go on the helicopter the next morning to visit the glacier. Greeted very wamly at reception and our accommodation was huge!! Two bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, dining and lounge areas. Was about a 5 min drive on the edge of town - we went to town to see the kiwis and have dinner. Would stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Haisam

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Someonestarted
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

2/10 Terrible

Alexandra

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

Chetan

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice hotel. Clean and modern. Fresh milk for coffee was a nice touch.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Carol

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Property was clean and in a good location for Franz Josef activities. It would have been useful to have a sink in the kitchen area, so you didn’t have to wash up in the tiny sink in the bathroom. There was an error when we checked in and we were chased for payment. The maid did not make our bed the next day and forgot to leave milk and a tea towel. When we mentioned these mistakes, they were quickly remedied.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carrie

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Large nice new facility. Loved it!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jay

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent choice. 7 minutes drive from Main Street, but great location. Quiet. Modern and fresh. Multiple choices of unit size, so look for the one that is right for you. I recommend this accommodation. Parking right at your individual unit, which I prefer.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

nevet

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katherine

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved our stay. Very quiet and close to Franz Josef shops although need a car to get there. Parking was excellent (next to the unit). Facilities were excellent - we made use of the washing machine and drying racks. Lots of info available at reception for things to do in the area. Comfortable beds and everything you could need in terms of cooking and entertainment/tv.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Clean and spacious

Large 2 bed unit with beautiful views. A few min drive into town so would need a car.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Steven

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sung Eun

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

david

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

A quiet and comfortable getaway

Quiet spot. It rained in the evening; electricity power was cut and restored about an hour. The only sink was inside the toilet and was rather small. TV was a mini 24 inch.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Louvain, Fig Tree Pocket

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Clean, comfortable, quiet and well-appointed chalets. About 4km from town so no hustle and bustle. Basic but not 'budget' as it felt quite luxurious for what it was. Stayed in the 2 bed one bath bracken chalet - can't fault it.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Connie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful mountain view. No nonsense room with just what you need at a great price.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

D. Eliana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very nice room, clean, comfortable, warm plenty of hot water, convenient for our plans. Although our accommodation was small we love the small details very nice.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Julie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The accommodation was okay for the time we were there. It's a short drive from Franz Josef. Facilities limited. Only microwave, kettle and toaster. No decent sink to wash up in, only the one in the bathroom and did not like the rules imposed. No strong food smells (although we didn't cook anything strong, not to wipe make-up on the towels, flannels). Heating wasn't on nor was the fridge when we arrived and no note to say the fridge needed to be switched on. Reception not manned either: had to telephone for someone to appear. All bars, restaurants, food stores 5km away in Franz Josef.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gladys

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff lovely
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ariana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The views from this place were fantastic. It was very calm and relaxing with a nice quiet start to every morning. This is about a 5 minute drive to the main area with cafe and shops so you’ll need a car to get to and from food, but would definitely book here again without a doubt. We did not have a kitchen but the option to have one is good out here.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sapana

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bee Leng

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Anne Marie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property is a fair way out of town but it is nice and quiet with great views across the countryside to the hills. There is a small kitchenette with microwave, crockery and cutlery, and detergent, tea towel etc, but no sink for washing dishes. This is has to be done in the bathroom! Did we not learn anything during COVID about clean and dirty workflows! There is a warning about using the shower: if you get the bedroom carpet wet you will be charged a fee. This is because the shower tap is positioned such that the water temperature cannot be regulated with the door open so you have to get under a cold shower, close the door and then regulate the temperature. Poor design and installation become the problem of the guest. Two heaters in the room: one didn't work and the other was ineffective.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024