Hilltop Whakaipo Estate

From the moment we turned into the estate, it felt as though we had quietly slipped into another New Zealand. Deer were scattered across the hillside as we drove in, some of the stags carrying magnificent antlers, and the road gradually climbed higher into the property. Peter welcomed us so warmly on arrival, and when we stepped into the apartment, the view opened out across an extraordinary green valley. Sheep dotted the hillsides like tiny strokes of white against the endless green, and in the distance the landscape seemed to stretch forever. The apartment itself was beautiful — spacious, warm and wonderfully comfortable, with a huge sofa, a very well-equipped kitchen and plenty to enjoy in the evening, including darts and a pool table. We cooked a lovely dinner together and spent the night feeling less like visitors and more as though, for a little while, we were actually living on a New Zealand farm. One of my favourite memories was the rain that evening. Sitting inside somewhere so warm and peaceful while the rain fell over the valley was incredibly cosy. Then, almost as if the landscape had decided to reveal another side of itself, we woke the next morning to clear skies, with snow-capped mountains and Lake Taupō appearing in the distance. It was breathtaking. Breakfast the following morning made the stay even more special. Prepared so generously by our hostess, with fresh eggs and sausages from the farm, it had that rare feeling of being welcomed into someone’s home rather than simply staying in accommodation. New Zealand has no shortage of beautiful scenery, but what is much harder to find is a place where the landscape and the warmth of the people become part of the same memory. This was one of those places. We left with full hearts, and with the feeling that we had experienced a small piece of genuine New Zealand country life. A truly unforgettable stay.

这里风景非常优美，在住处就有鹿、羊等小动物，还有非常可爱的狗狗。房间布置得温馨又贴心，各种细节都考虑得很周到，住起来就像在自己家里一样舒适放松，是一次非常愉快的住宿体验。

已经非常好了

One of the best properties we’ve ever stayed in. Gorgeous views overlooking Lake Taupo on a small farm. The place is very well appointed and has a comfortable bed as well as freshly cooked breakfast in the morning. Great hosts as well. About a 20 minute scenic drive to downtown Taupo.

Nothing

Beautiful property with stunning views. Facilities are wonderful and lots of animals to see and three dogs to play with!!

We didn’t realise the room is connected to the owner’s house so not super private.

Fantastic place, amazing views, wonderful hosts. Delicious breakfast. Lovely animals! The room is better than most branded hotels in the area, very comfortable and clean. Will definitely stay again!

BEST view in Taupo overlooking the lake and snowy mountains. The apartment is clean, spacious, beddings are really comfortable. Beautiful animals on the farm, my kids really enjoyed the farm tour. Thanks to Peter & Michelle for making our stay super special.

nothing

房东服务真的很好，给我们代买了晚饭食材。早饭特别好吃😋房东还邀请我们去喂鹿

超出预期的完美体验，美丽的风景，干净的住宿，热情的招待，美味的早餐。在这里多住几天是打开陶波旅行的最佳方式，下次还会选择这里。

无

地理位置绝佳，可以看到陶波湖，晚上还能观星，床很舒适，我们休息的很好，三只狗狗非常可爱，早餐也很美味。房主夫妇热情好客，感谢

没有，非常完美

房东太太很热心，在异国他乡因为家人胃疼，早餐吃到了房东亲手蒸的馒头，让我们有家的感觉。

无

很好

Absolut außergewöhnlicher Aufenthalt. Schönes Zimmer mit Liebe zum Detail. Superfreundliche Gastgeber und der Ausblick einfach traumhaft.

The view, facilities, tour of the farm by host Peter.

Comfy, family run B&B in a glorious setting with wonderful views of the lake and surrounding countryside. Nice bedrooms. Friendly host who was kind enough to take us out to feed his deer. Good breakfast.

Nothing.

The location is second to none. Host was very kind and welcomed us and gave us good recommendations for the local area. Peter cooks a good breakfast and we enjoyed our chats. Also Bear, Meg and Jess (the dogs) were the best welcoming party and so friendly.

N/A

Everything! The property was stunning. The view is out of this world! We saw sunset, a rainbow, the Milky Way and an epic view of the lake. The hospitality was warm, inviting, attentive, and thoughtful. They had great recommendations. It was very fun to do a farm tour and feed both sheep and deer. The breakfast was delicious and Michelle makes many things from scratch. Peter makes an amazing flat white! They cultivate a wonderful atmosphere where you meet new people, learn about other cultures, and parts of the world. The room was comfortable and there were thoughtful touches like a towel warmer, slippers, robes, snacks, etc. the room was also very clean upon arrival!

nothing

This was one of the highlights of our trip. We spent about three weeks traveling around New Zealand, staying in eight different hotels and B&Bs, and this was easily our favorite. The estate is beautiful, with stunning lake views and a really peaceful feel. The rooms were spotless and thoughtfully done—Michelle clearly puts a lot of care into every detail, from the comfort of the space to the personal touches, including her own handmade pottery they use for serving. Breakfast each morning in the living room overlooking the lake was a treat. The property also has deer, sheep, and cows, and you can walk over to the paddock to pet or feed them. Michelle and Peter were wonderful hosts—warm, friendly, and genuinely caring about the service they are providing. Peter even cooked us venison one breakfast and sent us off with a bottle of nice New Zealand wine. Whether you’re a couple or a family, they have great options, including a self-contained two-bedroom place. We travel a lot, and this was one of the best stays we’ve had.

None

Loved the spectacular rural views and friendly hosts, not to mention the 3 dogs who were just gorgeous! Very comfortable and spacious accomodation with well equipped kitchen.

Nothing.

We were truly healed by the beauty of this place — it’s absolutely worth every penny. The host has three incredibly friendly dogs. My daughter, who used to be afraid of dogs, actually overcame her fear here, which made this stay even more special. The farm is full of charm: there are little sheep just like Shaun the Sheep, zebra-like cows, and a group of adorable deer. Life here feels so vivid and real. We will definitely come back again

Absolutely unique! Fantastic place to stay! Amazing location and views! Wonderful, friendly and flexible hosts! Delicious breakfast! Great experience with domestic animals, friendly dogs, direct experience of feeding sheep and deer. Highly recommend!

We have traveled all over the world and stayed in some beautiful and unique places. The Hilltop Estate is one that stands because they overdelivered on every detail: comfortable rooms, memorable and top-of-the-world views, artistic breakfasts, attention to detail, and genuinely friendly hosts. Ten years out from now, we will be reminiscing and saying, "Remember that time we stayed on top of the hill in new zealand?" ROOM: we had booked the garden room and while it wasn't overly large, there was a place to set our bags, a closet with all the essentials, including bathrobes, refrigerator and in room coffee, extra towels etc. The bathroom was well lit with a very spacious walk-in shower. BREAKFAST: breakfast was made to order and made with love each morning and served at the dining room table. We tried the farmhouse breakfast with eggs, sausage, bacon, homemade bread and hash browns. So much food!!! The next morning, I had the french toast with homemade brioche, fried bananas, maple syrup and bacon. It was a work of art. My husband had the house made granola, yogurt and beautifully fresh fruit. Breakfast was always accompanied by made to order coffees, better than most coffee shops! VIEW: the setting of the estate made you feel like you're on top of the world. There were gorgeous sunsets over the lake and just enough farm animals (sheep, deer, and 3 playful dogs) on the fringes to keep your entertained. HOSTS AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL: the host peter and michelle made you feel more like friends than clients. Everything appeared effortless for them. They bantered about as they made breakfast. There was even a lively discussion about what garnish look best on top of my french toast. I voted for the rosemary twig fresh from their garden. When we realized the hike we had planned was too far of a drive, they quickly suggested an alternative which we did. They also suggested a local place for dinner, with great food that we thoroughly enjoyed.

Nothing to write about here!

C'était super, nous avons adoré être loin de la ville au cœur d'une ferme. Merci à notre hôte de nous avoir fait découvrir sa ferme. D'avoir pu nourrir les moutins, canards et surtout les faons et les cerfs. Le confort de la chambre et surtout le grand calme. Bonu, un excellent petit-déjeuner. A faire absolument ! Merci

Rien.

Exceptional property. Peter and Michelle are great hosts. Our suite which overlooked the lake was immaculate and incredibly comfortable with the most amazing view. Breakfast was delicious and very generous. We loved the dogs and this stay has been a real highlight of our trip so far.

Nothing to dislike

There is nothing not to like about a stay at Hilltop Whakaipo Estate. Peter and Michelle are excellent hosts and along with Bear, Meg and Jess, warmly welcome you into their lovely home. The Lake Room is beautifully appointed and spotlessly clean, and the view is spectacular. Breakfasts were delicious and the best we had during our month in New Zealand. Peter was very informative on walks and things to do and took us on a brief tour of the property which is so well maintained by him. Taupo is a 10-15 minute drive away but staying on this beautiful estate more than compensates for the drive into town. Thank you Peter and Michelle for a wonderful 4 night stay, we hope to stay again.

Nothing.

Great location. Close to a fantastische golf course.

Location was beautiful. Breakfast was really really good and we loved the couple who owned it.

Bed was very hard.

The whole property was spectacular. The view was just incredible and the peacefulness delightful. The suite had everything you could need for a fabulous stay and the bed was luxurious . We would return in a heartbeat!

Not a thing

Gorgeous views. Lovely hosts and happy dogs.

There was nothing to complain about. The views were amazing and the hosts were very welcoming.

各方面都非常好

无

We stayed at Hilltop Whakaipo Estate for three nights and honestly wish we could've stayed for much longer it is such a special place! From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed not only by the host but also by three friendly dogs, who quickly became one of the highlights of our stay. The setting itself is absolutely stunning, with incredible views that make it easy to relax and switch off completely. What truly made the experience unforgettable was the hospitality. The owner went above and beyond cleaning our laundry, preparing us delicious breakfast every morning and taking the time to show us around the farm. One of the stand-out moments was being able to feed the deer and sheep and even help herd the sheep, which was such a unique and memorable experience. It's rare to find a place that feels this genuine, peaceful, and engaging all at once. Hilltop estate is more than just a stay it's an experience we'll be talking about for a long time. We can't wait to come back!

早餐丰盛，地理位置绝佳

Peter was a gracious host - warm and friendly with great food and activity suggestions. The walking tour of his property to meet and feed his collection of farm animals was terrific. So, too, were the amazing breakfasts, including the best flat white in NZ to-date

Would be nice to have a few additional task lighting additions (i.e. a lamp) to make reading in the room at night easier.

Peter was a wonderful host. The location and views are fabulous. Peter provides a great cooked breakfast with excellent coffee.

房东人非常好，早餐很好吃，家里还有可爱的狗狗们和牛、鹿、羊

很完美

早餐很丰富！房东提供了menu可以选择！房子还有三只特别可爱的拉布拉多

民宿外面环境太美了。舍不得离开！狗狗非常热情，一直找玩

Accueil chaleureux, vue exceptionnelle, beaucoup d’attentions et un PDJ savoureux !

Tout était très bien !

Eins der besten Unterkunft unserer Reise. In mitten der Natur, ruhig gelegen und mit toller Aussicht. Unser Aufenthalt war leider viel zu kurz.

Nichts

Wundervolle Aussicht, tolles Zimmer (mit Lake-View), sehr bequeme Betten, sauber, modern, mit viel Liebe zum Detail, grandioses Frühstück, super nette Gastgeberin und Gastgeber

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Fantastic views, very clean. Peaceful. Friendly hosts and great food.only 25 minutes to Taupo Parkrun.

20-25 minutes to nearest restaurant.

景色优美，早餐很棒，一切都很完美

无

超级棒的民宿，简直一生难忘

Michelle and Peter are excellent hosts. Peter is very caring and showed me his deer, sheep, chickens and cows, and we fed them together. Michelle makes the best homemade bread, which is still warm in the morning for breakfast. She also makes one of the best Eggs Benedict (with eggs from her own chickens). Don't miss it! The view of Lake Taupo is wonderful. Be sure to book the room with the view; it's worth it. Thank you again for the wonderful stay, dear Michelle and Peter!

Nothing

The lake view is amazing. Hosts are lovely people and they went above and beyond to make our stay enjoyable. We also had a chance to feed deers on the estate. We will be back!

这是有史以来最满意的一次住宿体验，房东太太和房东都非常的热情好客，民宿特别干净还有很大的农场，简直满足了对所有美好生活的向往，房东太太做的早饭也比酒店好吃很多很多，每天可以看到日出日落，非常漂亮！完全超出预期，非常快乐的一次旅行😊😊😊

the breakfast is so delicious！The great host provided us noodles that smells like home！And everything is so comfortable！

nothing

Micheal cooked the breakfast for us and chitchat ,quite relaxing and cosy

农场俯瞰陶波湖，真正的风景如画，民宿主人非常helpful，对我们的孩子也非常有耐心，小狗小羊非常可爱，孩子们和小动物玩得很开心，下次一定还来！大力推荐！

The hosts are very friendly and lovely! They showed us around the farm and fed us a great breakfast! Definitely recommend!

A wonderful, heaven-like place! The host’s warm hospitality made us feel completely at home. The thoughtfully prepared breakfast and perfectly crafted latte deserve a full score. Super clean accommodation. The moment we arrived and got out of the car for check-in, we were immediately greeted by a friendly dog, and there was also an adorable bouncing sheep. The property even has deer and cows to see. If you love animals, you definitely won’t regret staying here. Out of our entire 18-day road trip in New Zealand, this was our number one favorite accommodation. Highly recommended to everyone!

everything was perfect. Highly recommended to everyone!

Magnificent views, warm hospitality and personal touches.

Amazing place to stay for a very special experience. Fantastic views, gorgeous friendly dogs, very welcoming hosts, fantastic breakfast and tour to meet some of the animals was a bonus!

Nothing!

Amazing location with outstanding views

Large apartment, with a spacious living area. There was a billard table and a dart board in the living area, which was really nice. The outlook was exceptional! The hosts were helpful and we were able to feed the deer. The dogs are very friendly.

Nothing to complain :)

Fantastic location with friendly hosts. Loads of space and very comfortable. Amazing sunset the evening we arrived.

房间很大，房东很热情，风景非常好！

The best possible accommodation in Taupō in every aspect. Stunning views, a spacious room that feels new and beautifully decorated. Peter and Michele were incredibly warm, welcoming, and attentive hosts. A truly special extra experience was meeting the farm animals and discovering Michele’s ceramic studio and work. Breakfast was delicious, with everything freshly prepared on the spot. Close to town yet offering the peace and quiet of the countryside. We recommend it without hesitation.

Everything was perfect

It was an absolutely incredible experience and we would 100% recommend this accommodation to anyone staying in Taupo. The view over Lake Taupo is beautiful, and on clear days you can even see Tongariro National Park in the distance. The three dogs are incredibly loving and truly made our stay even more special. Every morning, Michelle prepared an amazing breakfast and an excellent cappuccino. One of the highlights for us was feeding the deer – such a unique and heartwarming experience.

Location and quietness

Internet

Die Aussicht auf den Lake Taupo war wunderschön und die Gastgeber super freundlich. Man fühlt sich hier sehr willkommen. Beim Frühstück kann man jeden Tag neu auswählen und es wird frisch zubereitet. Die Farm ist sehr schön angelegt und man hat die Gelegenheit unterschiedliche Tiere zu beobachten. Die drei Hunde der Familie sind sehr brav.

Environment , facilities and friendly

Unser letzter Aufenthalt war einfach wundervoll. Die Besitzer sind unglaublich freundlich und herzlich und haben uns vom ersten Moment an willkommen fühlen lassen. Das gesamte Gelände ist traumhaft schön und strahlt eine ganz besondere Ruhe aus. Wir hatten eine tolle Zeit, haben jeden einzelnen Sonnenuntergang genossen und uns rundum wohlgefühlt. Besonders schön war auch, dass wir Rehe und Schafe füttern konnten – ein ganz besonderes Erlebnis. Die Besitzer haben sich wahnsinnig viel Mühe gegeben, sind bei unserer Abreise sogar sehr früh aufgestanden und haben extra noch Frühstück für uns vorbereitet. Ein Ort mit ganz viel Herz, den wir jederzeit weiterempfehlen würden.

動物好きな方ならこの宿は最高です。3頭の大型犬がホストとしてあなたを迎えてくれます。私達は早めに着いて午後の時間、ずっと犬達と遊んでいました。😀 翌朝には広大な敷地内で飼っている鹿や羊に餌付けをする体験をしました。私達はニュージーランド在住の日本人ですが、日頃仕事に追われている日本の方にこの贅沢な宿をお勧めします。本当の豊かさがどんなものか実感できると思います。

I don't think we will be able to top this in the whole of new Zealand. If you like nature this is the place for you. It's outside the town but close enough to drive 10 mins in for dinner. The hosts go out of their way to make you welcome. The room is immaculate and beautifully designed, with a firm comfortable bed. We stayed in the room with the view. It was stunning. Breakfast options were delicious. I can't fault it. I didn't want to leave !

You can't walk for food but that doesn't bother us. You will need a car to get around. There is nothing we didn't like.

Wonderful breakfast and coffee. Very kind and helpful hosts. Lovely animals and amazing view over the lake. A wonderful place to relax and enjoy watching birds and the environment--clouds, stars, etc.

It is further from town, but that is how you can get a nice view. It was not a problem for us, but the room was a bit small. The privacy is less than having an entire home to yourself, but that should be understood from the booking.

Sehr nette Gastgeber und ein sehr tolles Haus mit wundervollen Hunden ! Wir hatten eine tolle Zeit und es was alles perfekt. Wir werden definitiv wieder kommen, wenn wir in der Gegend sind.

The cleaniness , the host and the view The host is very welcoming , he invites you for breakfast or some activities in the farm

Really nothing

Excellent location. Probably one of the 10 most beautiful properties in New Zealand. Clean sheets and towels. 20 min drive to city centre. Exceptional and friendly hosts Peter, Michelle and their 3 labradors

Fantastic scenery and excellent breakfast

Everything was perfect !!! Michelle and her husband are just wonderful ! The bed is so comfortable, the food is marvellous, the view is insane ! You have to run to this place if you visit Taupo/ Rotorua !!!

It was a great experience staying at the hilltop estate. It’s a great spot and had plenty to do in the shed, I played lots of darts and enjoyed the football. The hosts were amazing

Michelle and Peter were amazing - such a lovely personal experience with them and their beautiful dogs plus the sheep and deer including Charmaine, Molly and Holly who we very much enjoyed being invited to feed during our 2 night stay last week 😍 We booked the Lake View room - definitely the perfect choice for a couple (families would enjoy the more spacious 2 bedroom apartment at the back of the property). Beautiful views from our room over the north end of the lake. Fabulous home cooked breakfast and Barista coffee. And Michelle even creates local pottery items - a great souvenir of your stay in Taupo, so just ask her what she has available for you to buy!

Overall, there was nothing not to like! It's worth noting however that the Garden View and Lake View rooms are actually connected to the main house where the hosts live (albeit with separate security/privacy). Breakfast is also served in the main house. But as noted by the hosts in the description, you can interact, or not, as much as you like.

Exceptional accommodation, kind and attentive hosts, beautiful views - the best breakfast we’ve had the entire trip. A gem for sure, the sweet pups are icing on the cake. Really excellent stay - wish it could of been longer.