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If you’re planning to spend a few days in Lake Tekapo, Mantra Lake Tekapo is the perfect base for your adventure! For our New Zealand summer adventure over the New Year period, we spent three nights at Mantra Lake Tekapo, located just a short stroll from the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo.
After long travel days and plenty of exploring, this modern three‑bedroom apartment was exactly what our family needed — roomy enough for everyone to unwind, with everything at our fingertips for a relaxing stay.
If you’re planning a family holiday in the Mackenzie region, Mantra Lake Tekapo is an ideal blend of convenience, comfort, and local charm, and somewhere we would gladly stay again!
Mantra Lake Tekapo Review: Lake Tekapo Accommodation
When planning to spend New Year’s Eve in Lake Tekapo, we had to book early to get somewhere. It’s one of those hidden gems in New Zealand’s South Island that doesn’t have a huge amount of accommodation available. In saying that, it has grown drastically since our last visit 7 years earlier!
Yet, even booking fairly early, there was not a heap of options left for the holiday period. Mantra Lake Tekapo was one of the few remaining options in the self-contained style we wanted, so we locked it in, and I’m glad we did!
I actually booked two different three-bedroom apartments. My husband’s cousin’s family stayed in the other one, which meant we got to check out two different apartments!
Fully self-contained, like a little home away from home. It was perfect for a relaxed stay in my favourite place in New Zealand before heading to Queenstown for 5 days!
Location
Mantra Lake Tekapo is tucked away off the main road, about a 10‑minute walk from central Tekapo village or less than 2 minutes to the lake edge.
The quieter location means you can enjoy peaceful surroundings without feeling too far from cafés, restaurants, or attractions.
It’s within easy access of Tekapo Springs, Mount John Observatory, and the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd — all must‑do experiences while in town.
Our Apartment
We stayed in a three‑bedroom, two‑bathroom apartment, which was perfect for our family of four — and could easily fit a larger crew if travelling with extended family. It was suited to 6 people.
The apartment featured a spacious open‑plan living area with a comfortable sofa and armchair, with a gas fireplace. This was a lovely surprise! We had a little trouble figuring out how to turn it on, but it was super cozy.
The fully equipped kitchen was a huge bonus, allowing us to cook a few easy meals instead of dining out every night — a lifesaver during the busy holiday period when restaurants were full, and Lake Tekapo is an expensive destination being so far from the bigger cities.
Each bedroom was generous in size, and we appreciated having two bathrooms — no morning queues! There was also a powder room with seperate toilet downstairs too.
Each bedroom had a heater to keep you warm in the cooler weather.
The private patio with outdoor seating was lovely for enjoying a quiet coffee before heading out to explore. We actually had two balconies and an outdoor area with a backyard. Very unexpected.
The other unexpected thing was an actual garage with electronic doors, so you don’t have to worry about getting rained on or snowed on in bad weather, getting back into your apartment.
There was also a washer and dryer tucked away in the garage area, which came in handy after a few days on the road.
Facilities & Amenities
Mantra Lake Tekapo isn’t a resort, but it still offers a good range of amenities that make a short stay easy and comfortable.
- Outdoor heated pool and hot tub – ideal for summer afternoons or warm evening dips under the stars.
- BBQ area – great for an easy family dinner while making the most of the fresh alpine air.
- Secure parking – a private garage for each apartment.
- Beautiful landscaped gardens – the whole property feels well-maintained and peaceful.
- Outdoor fireplace – a brick fireplace near the pool area, perfect for a cozy night outdoors or toasting marshmallows.
We spent New Year’s Eve enjoying a relaxed family swim at the pool before watching the sunset light up the mountains — the perfect way to ring in the new year.
What’s Nearby Mantra Lake Tekapo?
Lake Tekapo as a whole is a small town in an alpine region, so there isn’t a lot nearby with the exception of glorious scenery that will make you pinch yourself!
Within walking distance are the main points of interest in Lake Tekapo. The Church of the Good Shepherd and the famous dog statue, as well as the Lake Tekapo footbridge.
Just near here, you will find a waterfront playground, a Four Square supermarket and a small shopping village with restaurants and specialty shops.
A short drive away you will reach Mount John where the observatory and Astro Cafe are located, or Tekapo Springs, which are the two big Lake Tekapo attractions in the area.
There are also many hiking trails, including the trails that lead up to Mount John, so you can get around on foot to most places.
Around 40 minutes from Lake Tekapo is Lake Pukaki, which is the largest lake in the area and a perfect spot to view Mount Cook on a clear day.
You can check out our 3-day Lake Tekapo itinerary to see how we spent our most recent visit.
Why It’s Great for Families
Mantra Lake Tekapo was a great option for families, and it made our stay very relaxed, not being in a cramped, tiny hotel room, tripping over one another or our cases.
Here’s why we loved this family-friendly Lake Tekapo accommodation:
- Large apartment‑style living with all the amenities of home.
- Full kitchen and laundry – essential for family travel.
- Close to Tekapo attractions, yet quiet enough for rest after busy days.
- Kid‑friendly pool that is heated all year round – because it’s pretty cold, even in Summer.
There’s no on‑site restaurant, but with Tekapo’s cafés and takeaway spots just a short drive or easy walk away, it wasn’t an issue for us at all. Especially with a full-sized kitchen that you can stock up with items from the supermarket.
Our Verdict
Firstly, this Mantra Lake Tekapo review is not sponsored. It’s entirely our own option.
We couldn’t have asked for a better base to explore Lake Tekapo and nearby Mount Cook. The combination of spacious apartments, home-like facilities, and the incredibly beautiful and relaxed alpine atmosphere made Mantra Lake Tekapo a highlight of our South Island trip.
If you’re travelling with kids or in a group, having the extra space (and two bathrooms!) makes all the difference. It truly felt like a home away from home — peaceful, practical, and perfectly placed for exploring one of New Zealand’s most beautiful destinations.
If you’re planning a visit to New Zealand, check out our Lake Tekapo to Queenstown guide and our 2-week South Island road trip itinerary.
Would we stay again? Definitely. Maybe in winter, because it looks super cute covered in snow from the website photos.
You can book Mantra Lake Tekapo here