Lodge at the heart of the Junction

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 599, 15 August 1995, Page 15 (Supplement)

Lodge at the heart of the Junction

Summer renova tions are bear ing fruit this winter atTuroa Lodge. Every year Graeme Berry "does something" to gradually modernise the

interior of Turoa Lodge, while being always mindful of retaining the charming exterior. This year there have been substantial rennovations inside and six new delux

accommodation units were built. The new units designed especially for couples are compact yet spacious and very modern. Right in the heart of the Junction, they make for that perfect weekend away for two. Graeme Berry and his partner Bill Howie became involved in Turoa Lodge 10 years ago. Built in 1908 the building has always been an accommodation house. When Graeme took over work had started on rennovations to the interior but today it is a far cry from the condemned building of the 1970's. Standards There are three levels of accommodation available at Turoa Lodge, ranging from the delux units, to the original rooms inside the lodge - complete with high ceilings and shared facilities, plus budget accommodation in theformof 14cabins. House guests are treated to the exclusive use of a spa pool, drying room, two lounges and discounts from nearby ski shops. Summerclienteleis made up of groups such as companies on weekend retreats. During the summer weeks Turoa Lodge is closed, but with more and more of the winter market coming back in the summer, Graeme can see the time coming when Turoa Lodge is open all year round.

In the winter Turoa Lodge caters for mainly a "couples market" from Auckland and Wellington. Graeme knows that bookings come from word of mouth because of a reputation he has painstakingly established over the past 10 years. Social clubs like to come in the winter to the lodge as they want to be in the heart of the Junction and have somewhere to park their car. Bookings this winter are essential, already every weekend is full from now until the middle of October. In the summer Graeme

recovers from the winter. When he's not busy doing that he'll be running the La Pizzeria restaurant which he has just purchased. Staff at Turoa Lodge are seasonal. Many come down for the winter after a busy summer in the Bay of Islands. "There' s never a shortage of staff' says Graeme. And what do guests think when all the roads are closed and they can't go home? Well according to Graeme people are very philosophical, and see the closures as a legitimate excuse to not go back to work!