Lodge offers chance to stay in paradise

The Okataina Lodge is nestled in the bush. Photo / Supplied

Okataina Lodge, a well-established tourism business in the Bay of Plenty, is being offered for sale by negotiation as a going concern through Paul Sanford of Harcourts Rotorua who is seeking a sale before Christmas.

The lodge is on the shores of Lake Okataina, about 30km from Rotorua on Okataina Rd off State Highway 30, and is surrounded by 4500ha of native bush.

The accommodation facility and its conference centre enjoy almost total seclusion, offering guests relaxation and tranquillity with all the modern conveniences.

The Ngati Tarawhai tribe gifted the lake and surrounding lands to the Crown for the purposes of a scenic reserve in 1931. Legend says Okataina is the shortened form of a longer Maori name meaning "place of laughter" and derives from a joke shared there between Chief Rangitakaroro and his warriors about 300 years ago.

"This is a well-priced opportunity on the edge of a beautiful lake renowned as a premier fishing destination," Sanford said.

The lodge is set on a 1.526ha Crown leasehold site and comprises 28 units, a lodge with a restaurant, bar and conference facilities. There is also separate managerial and staff accommodation on site.

Sanford says guests can choose between 14 hotel rooms, six studio units and eight two-room units, comprising a total of 65 beds, with some of the rooms nestled in the bush and others offering superb views.

The lodge has two conference rooms - the Pohutukawa room can accommodate up to 70 people while the Rata room can hold up to 40 delegates. There are also a number of break-out areas.

All the guests have access to the lodge's large lounge and adjoining games room as well as the fully licensed bar. A spacious restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Guests can also dine alfresco in a barbecue area on the attractively landscaped site which was designed to blend in with the Okataina Scenic Reserve surrounding it.

"In addition guests can arrange to dine, cruise or fish aboard the lodge's own launch, the MV Waiora, on what is arguably the most picturesque of all the Rotorua lakes," Sanford said.

He says Lake Okataina is renowned for its rainbow trout with the lake and lodge regularly featuring in television fishing shows like TV3's Gone Fishing.

"Alternatively if water-based activities don't appeal there are numerous bush walks in the immediate vicinity and the lodge will arrange a wide range of activities on site or assist guests to take advantage of the many tourist attractions in the Rotorua area."

Sanford says the lodge offers new owners the security of a long-term Crown lease until 2025, which is currently set at around $20,000 per annum and with a 33-year right of renewal.

The business also offers development potential.

"There's been a considerable amount of expenditure over the years to modernise and maintain the lodge's facilities but the bonus is that there's room for further development on the site by providing additional accommodation, for example, or additional recreational facilities."

Sanford said the lodge and conference business, all of the buildings and chattels as well as its boat and boating business, are for sale with an asking price that is "well below valuation".

"The lodge is owned by two couples, one of which has made this beautiful property their home for the past 27 years, while the other has been involved for the past 19 years.

"They have loved the lifestyle in this piece of paradise and have run and established a successful business. However, they have now decided it's time for them to move on and make the lodge available to someone else," he said.

"With everything already in place and operating, plus the added benefit of all the lodge's forward bookings and its development potential, this is an amazing opportunity for a new owner."