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A family run business now into its 3rd generation of raft guides, River Valley started as a rafting company on a family farm, in the back blocks of Taihape. With one of the world's top half day Grade 5 rafting trips literally on the doorstep, it was a natural progression. A horse trekking stables was added over time, and it is these two adventurous activities, rafting the beautiful Rangitikei River, and exploring the magnificent hill country which is at core of River Valley. The Lodge caters for a mix of clientele, with an accommodation mix from deluxe riverside ensuite rooms, to bunk rooms. There are also 2 meeting rooms available for hire, for corporate use or private events and weddings. The Lodge restaurant and cafe serves a selection of fresh farm-to-table food, much not only prepared on site, but also grown in the extensive vegetable gardens.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Mid-range
Languages Spoken
English
Location
266 Mangahoata Road River Valley Lodge, Taihape 4792 New Zealand
The Lodge and its environs are just superb. My grandchildren loved exploring it and my adult children had the best time. We went on the family rafting experience which was able to accomodate the youngest child. The rafting guides were stunning and we always felt safe but enjoyed the excitement of the rapids. The adults are keen to return for the grade 5 experience. Great sauna and spa to enjoy afterwards. The dining and common room area is wonderful with a superb fire to warm us. The staff are so friendly. I can’t speak highly enough of how they made sure we were well looked after and felt at home.They were so kind to the children. Miranda, the chef, is a whizz. Even made me a birthday cake. The accomodation is excellent and suits all sorts of configurations. 100% recommend this venue.
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Date of stay: October 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Make sure you make the most of all the amenities. The sauna, followed by a cold dip in the river...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Brian Megaw, Owner at River Valley
Responded 20 Oct 2024
Good morning. Thank you for your lovely review. It was also a pleasure for us to have your extended family stay with us. I took one of the rafts down the river on the day, and it was great to see all the ages having fun on the river. We hope to see you all back sometime. All the best. Brian
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Tussock to Dunes. Four challenging days made all the worthwhile through stunning scenery, the most hospitable and knowledgeable hosts possible, great accommodation, and swimming in the Rangitiekei. A well planned and organised itinerary, professional guided by Brian and Ross and catered at River Valley by the amazing Miranda. Can't speak highly enough of your operation and team Brian. You've given us four unforgettable days of fun, laughter, almost some tears, and a physical and mental test, but we all came out smiling and happy to recommend to anyone willing to listen to our exploits. Cheers Bob and Anne
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Date of stay: February 2025
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â Follow River Valleys advice regarding bikes and battery ratings.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Brian Megaw, Owner at River Valley
Responded 1 week ago
Kia ora Bob and Anne. Thank you so much for this review. While I certainly enjoy guiding Tussock to Dune Cycle trips, getting feedback such as this makes it that much more worthwhile! What adventure is next for you guys? Bob, are you getting yourself a new bike? Anyway, all the best, and I hope to see you again on a trail somewhere. Brian
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What an unbelievable experience. We were made welcome by Jacob and looked after from the moment we arrived to the moment we left. We had our motorhome on the field and were welcomed to use all the facilities, bar and restaurant with a great breakfast provided by Miranda. Janey, Tom, Brian and the whole family and staff could not have been nicer and happily chatted with us about their amazing business and the love they all have for it. Now onto the rafting itself! Wow what an adrenaline fuelled few hours. It was fantastic from start to finish and despite one of our party being a little nervous Tom was our guide and was encouraging, funny and professional throughout. At no time did we feel unsafe. The river itself is truly beautiful and it felt like there was no one else around for miles, which there probably wasn’t. If you have any doubts about this experience with this team, don’t, they will look after you throughout. Finally to cap it all as our motor home was unlikely to get back up the steep hill out Brian, who had to be elsewhere just left us the keys to his 4x4 to tow ourselves out. Thoroughly recommended and would love to visit again. thanks to all of you for such great memories.
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Madi McCann, Marketing at River Valley
Responded 6 Feb 2025
Kia ora Dave, Thanks so much for your detailed and lovely review. I know the team loved having you at the Lodge, we're so pleased to hear you had such a great experience! Looking forward to welcoming you back again :) Safe travels, Madi
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My 3rd trip specifically for the incredible horse riding trips they offer. Ive done two 8 Day rides and this year a 3 day ride and 4 night stay. Very comfortable lodgings and the food is all grown organically and sustainably on the property. Unbeatable - the horses, people, place, food and the whole experience. Loads of fun and spectacular terrain for those that are experienced in the saddle.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â The river is wonderful at the end of the day to soak away the days exertions!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and I experienced the half-day rafting trip on the Rangitikei River the week before Christmas. It is a world-class experience. Our guides (Tom, Janey, Sean) were fantastic - highly experienced, fun and professional. We were first-time rafters amidst a broader beginner group (~11 people), and the River Guides ensured a safe and highly enjoyable adventure. The guides somehow convinced my typically risk-adverse wife to jump into the river from a ~20 foot cliff! This is a clear testament to the confidence they inspire in their guests!
All of the staff at the lodge were friendly and welcoming. This was one of the clear highlights of our New Zealand trip, and I cannot recommend it enough.
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Madi McCann, Marketing at River Valley
Responded 18 Jan 2025
Kia ora, Thanks so much for your kind and detailed review. You have definitely highlighted what makes River Valley so special and it means so much to our team to hear that this was the highlight of your trip to New Zealand. We hope to see you back one day. All the best, Madi
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We found River Valley Lodge when looking for a short stay to unwind as a couple. What a great pick! We pre-booked the dinners and breakfasts and felt thoroughly spoiled by Miranda's amazing cooking. The format of "trust us, we will pick the food for you" was actually really great and each meal was delicious. She was able to cater for food intolerances.
We did the half day rafting with Hazel and Alex. What amazing views! Hazel was an excellent instructor and both she and Alex were fun, knowledgeable and kind.
The Lodge was not that busy when we were there which I found surprising as it is a wee gem and well worth the visit to relax, raft, eat and sit in the spa pool opposite the waterfall. The staff are welcoming and friendly.
Thanks team, we will be back.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Danielle Pegge, Marketing at River Valley
Responded 9 Oct 2022
Kia Ora, Thanks for leaving us a review. Glad you loved your stay with us, from the food to the rafting experience. We hope you will be back to visit again :)
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5 stars is not enough, much more than a rafting experience. It's checking in to a "Family ". Can't signal out a staff member because everyone is so knowledgeable,professional but most of all so friendly you really do appreciate sincere people who obviously love their work. Location beautiful , Accommodation beautiful, people beautiful what more can you ask for? You can ask for the best cooked food of your life and you get it here! Fresh from the land around you harvested then cooked to perfection. We can honestly say our best experience whilst visiting NZ for the last 6 years 3 months at a time , that's a lot of places visited to compare but none as good as River Valley. Visit NZ but don't come without going here!
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Date of stay: February 2025
Value
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Location
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Service
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Just go you will not be disappointed the best!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Madi McCann, Marketing at River Valley
Responded 9 Feb 2025
Kia ora, Wow. We are so blown away by and grateful for your lovely review, thank you so much. I know the team loved having you at the Lodge, and that there were plenty of laughs shared. We look forward to welcoming you back on your next trip :) Safe travels, Madi
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A wonderful 2 nights away, a comfy bed with the sound of the babbling river close by. Fine food that was a delight in every mouthful, where the chef takes the freshest ingredients and creates a different menu daily, true artistry. My had a massage and masseur, she says knew what she needed immediately easing the pressure in her back and stress from her shoulders. The spa over the looking was wonderful.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Do remember extra towels for river swims and the spa. Book early for the Sauna as only one was...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Danielle Pegge, Marketing at River Valley
Responded 1 Mar 2023
It was our pleasure to have you stay with us and we thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We are happy that you enjoyed your stay and hope that you will be back soon! Kind regards, Dani
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What were the highlights of our stay at River Valley Lodge? Not the stunning raft trip through the most spectacular scenery imaginable, not the deep swimming hole with the jump spot - which always ranks highly in my recreational priorities, not the day cycling the byways and lanes of an area of NZ we had never before visited, not watching deer grazing on the steep slopes of the hill opposite our secluded bus accommodation; no, none of those, although they were all wonderful. No the highlight of our stay at River Valley Lodge was our daily interaction with their friendly, professional and helpful staff and the nourishing, delicious and tasty meals all made on site from produce home grown in their own gardens.
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Date of stay: November 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Quieter during the week and outside of holiday times. The bus was a good place to stay away from...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Madi McCann, Marketing at River Valley
Responded 12 Dec 2024
Kia ora Carey, Thanks so much for your lovely review. I know Janey and the team loved having you at the Lodge and we really hope to see you back one day. All the best, Madi
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Having visited before, we were excited to be back at river valley lodge.
The place is in a remote location, with beautiful views of the river and the mountains.
The food that we had during our stay was amazing, so nice to eat home cooked style food all made with fresh local and home grown ingredients, the large communal dining room and bar area has a lovely feel unique feel.
My girlfriend was booked to do the horse riding, but unfortunately due to the weather this was cancelled a couple of days before we arrived. The staff were very helpful and we decided to book on to the whitewater rafting instead and this turned out to be a brilliant and must do experience!
Our favourite place to visit on the north island and I’m sure we will be back!
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Danielle Pegge, Marketing at River Valley
Responded 1 Mar 2023
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review, it means a lot to us. Glad you enjoyed your stay and sorry your partner wasn't able to do the horse riding. We hope you can visit again and the weather will be a bit nicer! Kind regards, Dani
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi There
I have been away for several days, so will follow up about why you have not yet received an answer.
Thanks for your enquiry.
Kind regards
Brian
There are more places to choose from in the Taihape area.
PRICE RANGE
â‚ą20,083 - â‚ą22,344 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandManawatu-Wanganui RegionRangitikei DistrictTaihape
NUMBER OF ROOMS
17
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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