Despite paying $175 for a River View room it was so small we couldn't swing a cat, it was very basic, no wine glasses, uncomfortable bed, Mosquitos and the cockroaches must have come as optional extras - which we didn't chose. Skylight in ceiling didn't have a blind so sun woke us up at 5am. Disappointing that you come to a lodge and find everything is a extra. 9 hole golf course which was so poorly maintaned it was unusable, walking tracks over grown. Food wasn't that great either, very little choice unless you liked rather tough chewy beef.
Very pleasent staff.
Sorry, not a place we could recommend to anyone in its present state.

We saved this for our last week of 6 weeks in NZ and are so glad we did. We booked a luxury ensuite for 6 nights which had a huge and very comfortable bed, and heated floors in the bathroom (which I *love*). We booked the package with all meals included as we knew it is very remote without option to eat elsewhere, however there are various accommodation options from dorms and bunk-rooms to the above mentioned luxury en-suite, and there is a small kitchen with the possibility to self-cater, as well as 'pay as you go' meals in the lodge. The kitchen staff do a great job making a variety of sandwiches, salads, quiches etc for lunch plus a roast every night plus yummy puddings, and the breakfast options are also impressive. The main lodge 'communal' room has a fire, a bar, board games etc and has a 'hostel-y' feel to it, in a good way. There are a lot of 'Kiwi Experience' people passing through (they get brought here on the bus) so if you want to go budget you probably want to book ahead, and consider how you want to spend your money - the organised activities are fantastic; rafting, hiking, horserideing etc and there is also yoga in the mornings, the option to have a massage treatment etc. You can also do self-guided walks. So think about whether your priority is activities, nice accommodation, home cooked food etc and book your stay accordingly. The staff are all incredibly professional, entertaining and thoughtful. I love the comment below that it is 'like summer camp for grown-ups' - what a great idea and bang on as a description of River Valley Lodge!

River Valley is amazing! Incredible location, friendly staff & great chocolate chip cookies!
We visit there a couple of times a year as my husband loves to fish.
While is fishes, I do yoga, take a walk and spend time in the hot tub. If you are a fly fishing widow you will love River Valley!

If you like the outdoors then you will love River Valley. It is my "happy place".