a time for renewal mt cook lakeside retreat

We have a podcast! Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat is pleased to present our four-part podcast. It’s the story of where we began, and how our Retreat has grown and evolved. Available on all major podcast listening apps, or stream it directly from our website.

Hannah and Tom

Retreat Wedding Stories

Tom and Hannah Thompson met in 2015 through a mutual friend and wed at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat in November 2020.

Hannah kindly agreed to share their story with us. She writes:

 

“Tom and I hit it off right away. We have similar interests and goals in life, and after two years of being together we built our first house in Lincoln, Christchurch.

 

In 2019 Tom proposed to me at the top of Cecil Peak in Queenstown with a helicopter ride (one of our favourite things to do is scenic flights). That’s one of the reasons we chose Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat for our wedding, as we were able to have two choppers fly in to take us away for photos.

 

The Retreat was the first and only venue we visited. We and our families were sold after resort owner Luke took us for a tour. With the views of Lake Pukaki, Mt Cook and surrounding landscape making it private and beautiful, it was exactly what we were looking for!

 

With my parents owning a holiday house in Twizel, it meant it was also an area we spend a lot of time in and love very much!

 

Being only a 10-minute drive from Twizel meant our guests could easily all find accommodation just five minutes down the road.

 

Event Coordinator Anna was also a key part of our day being so successful. She made planing the wedding very straightforward, from helping me organise some of our vendors to helping host a wine cellar and stargazing event the night before our ceremony. She made sure everything ran as smoothly as could be on the day! Anna was amazing and I couldn’t have done it without her.

 

We were very lucky with the weather on the day of the wedding. It was warm, absolutely no wind, and perfect conditions. The ceremony was run by Jillian of Married by Jillian. She also made the ceremony a breeze. It was the perfect setting to share our vows and our first kiss as Husband and Wife!

 

The day was followed by a reception in Moraine Lodge with an amazing meal our guests are still raving about! Then followed by dancing till the end of the night. We also loved our luxury villa stay the night before with bridal party and then as newlyweds on our wedding night.

 

All and all, our day was exactly what we had envisioned, and we wouldn’t have changed a single thing about it. All thanks to Luke, Kaye, Anna and the other Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat staff behind the scenes!”

 

Congratulations Hannah and Tom, and thank you for sharing your special day with us!

Wedding

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Wedding

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The Region  →

We regularly hold special events to showcase our facilities and offerings. Come to the Retreat and see all we can provide to create your perfect day.

Gift Voucher

Gift Voucher

Date: By Arrangement

Time: By Arrangement

Celebrate any occasion with a gift voucher, whether you'd like to treat someone to stay in one of our luxury villas, ... More →

Seasonal Photography

Seasonal Photography

Date: By Arrangement

Time: By Arrangement

An experienced photography guide will take you to the Retreat's most iconic spots and let you capture all of its ... More →

Billion Star Dining

Billion Star Dining

Date: By Arrangement

Time: 7:30pm - 10:30pm

We created the Pukaki Wine Cellar and Observatory to share the beauty of the Dark Sky Reserve with our guests through ... More →

Kiwi Christmas Dinner

Kiwi Christmas Dinner

Date: Monday 25 December

Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Celebrate Christmas Day with us and enjoy good food and company. Join us in our luxury Moraine Lodge and indulge in a ... More →

Stargazing at Pukaki Wine Cellar Observatory

Stargazing at Pukaki Wine Cellar Observatory

Date: Multiple

Time: Summer 9.30pm | Winter 8.30pm

Join us for a unique dark sky experience in the Pukaki Wine Cellar and Observatory. This is a fun, informative and ... More →

Fine Dining at Moraine Lodge

Fine Dining at Moraine Lodge

Date: Bookings Essential

Time: 7:30pm

We extend a warm welcome to day guests wishing to join us for a 4-course Fine Dining culinary experience at Mt Cook ... More →

Astrophotography

Astrophotography

Date: By Arrangement

Time: 8pm in Winter | 9pm in Summer

Join us for a unique dark sky experience in our Pukaki Wine Cellar and Observatory. Not only will you witness and ... More →

Tastes of Nature Cooking Demonstration and Lunch

Tastes of Nature Cooking Demonstration and Lunch

Date: By Arrangement

Time: By Arrangement

To dine at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat is to savour the tastes of nature. Let our private chefs show you how to select, ... More →