Price? Rack rate is $240-$385 and there are often special deals on the website.
Who owns it? In 1968, Lyne purchased Edgewater Lodge, made up of 10 guest rooms and a restaurant, and turned it into one of the area's top hotels.
What's so good about this place? It's the only genuine lake-edge hotel in Taupo. The staff are note perfect, plus there's the pool, the grotto and the elegant rooms.
And the bad? Leaving.
Flying high: The parasailing people can come and collect you from the jetty right outside the hotel.
Toiletries? Ubiquitous Millennium chain bottles, perfectly acceptable.
Food and drink? The award-winning Edgewater Restaurant has the best view, the sunset blew our minds and apparently it was just an average one. The menu was a delight, from the oysters, lamb rack and venison to the brulee. Everything we ordered was top-notch.
The bed? Enormous, three pillows wide and as comfortable as it was wide.
Bathroom? Entry was through the walk-in wardrobe. It was the size of some Auckland apartments and had a huge spa bath, separate shower and pristine white tiles.
Minibar? Well stocked with soft drinks, hard drinks, tea and coffee plus little chocolates and biscuits.
Noise? The lapping of the lake on the shore and my sighs of contentment.
Value for money? Really reasonable considering how amazing it is.
Exercise facilities? There's a small gym and a small but perfectly formed pool.
But wait, there's more: You can book time in the grotto, a spa pool inside a replica of a limestone cave complete with stalactites.
Perfect for: Staying forever. Some guests say when they win Lotto they'll buy a room here and never leave.
Would I return? Absolutely and when I win Lotto, I'll live here year-round.
CHECKLIST
Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels is at 243 Lake Terrace, Taupo. Phone: 07 378 5110.
