Just imagine waking up to the melodic call of native birdsong and opening your eyes to majestic mountains rising out of lush rainforest, all from the comfort of your luxuriously appointed room… This is Te Waonui Forest Retreat, a stunning, unique lodge-style hotel surrounded by native rainforest on New Zealand’s beautiful West Coast.

Scenic Circle Hotels operates the new eco -designed five star Te Waonui Forest Retreat at Franz Josef Glacier and is expanding its West Coast tourism interests by taking on the management of the Haast World Heritage Hotel and has recently purchased the Fox Glacier Hotel. The 100 percent New Zealand-owned private company owns or manages 16 properties around the country.

Brendan Taylor, Managing Director, says in this time the company has developed a strong understanding and appreciation of the value of West Coast tourism and is delighted to have the opportunity to extend its interests.

"Westland is a unique part of the country. It has absolutely stunning natural beauty and wildlife, a fascinating history, adventure and outdoor activities for all and that famous west coast hospitality that gives it a charm all of its own," says Mr Taylor.

"We are very proud of our role in putting this region on the tourist map and the Fox Glacier Hotel and the Haast World Heritage Hotel are welcome additions to the company."

He says the West Coast is a unique place to do business with its remoteness and the seasonal nature of the visitor industry putting different demands on those operating in the tourism sector.

"We have learned how to meet those challenges and through our network and infrastructure can offer many marketing, staffing, purchasing and operational benefits to the hotels in the area."

Meanwhile Richard De Graaf, West Coast Area Manager, says that both hotels are open for the high November to April season - Fox Glacier Hotel had been closed in September and October for remedial work and some refurbishment.

"Everything is in order and we are looking forward to a busy season," he reports.

He says staffing arrangements will remain very much the same with the popular management team of John and Sarah Duberly retained at the Haast World Heritage Hotel and staff numbers remaining the same. Over the high season Scenic Circle Hotels employs around 140 staff on the west coast with the majority accommodated by the company.

Te Waonui Forest Retreat

Te Waonui Forest Retreat

A stunning unique lodge-style hotel surrounded by native rainforest on New Zealand's beautiful West Coast
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Fox Glacier Hotel

The 69 room Fox Glacier Hotel is located in the Fox Glacier Village, just minutes from Fox Glacier and Lake Matheson and only kilometres from Aoraki/Mt Cook. A comfortable base for exploring Glacier Country and the surrounding region the hotel also gives guests the opportunity to mix with locals in the Climbers Rest Bar or to enjoy a meal in the Mountain Goats Bakery Café.

Haast World Heritage Hotel

Located just two hours from the glaciers and three hours from Queenstown, the 52 room Haast World Heritage Hotel is an ideal stopover between the West Coast and the Southern Lakes. The hotel has been recently refurbished and offers year round café style lunch and a la carte dinner dining in the Frontier Café & Bar as well as daily breakfast and seasonal buffet dining in The Waitoto Room restaurant.

For further information:
Richard De Graaf
West Coast Area General Manager
Scenic Circle Hotels
Ph 03 752 9555
Mob 027 286 5039