Lodge smack in middle' true labour of love

The former Raetihi Hospital nurses' home is a major work in progress for Sandy Waters, who bought the building five years ago and turned it into accommodation.

"I did not buy a business, I bought a run-down building," she says, juggling baby Blue on her hip.

It has been, and still is, hard work refurbishing the building, but enthusiasm and energy cost nothing, and Sandy has plenty.

She says Snowy Waters Lodge is "right smack in the middle of the North Island", which makes it accessible for groups at opposite ends of the island looking for somewhere convenient to get together.

Snowy Waters Lodge, on Ward St, is family-friendly and the ideal place for large family groups, reunions, work dos and club functions, says Sandy.

She then spoke of the plans for the self-catering lodge that sleeps 40 and the four-bedroom self-contained villa which she sees being niche accommodation offering a unique experience; treasure hunts, corporate team building and, in time, murder mysteries.

Sandy jokes that her father, Terry, is the staff volunteer who comes down from his Coromandel home to put his DIY skills to good use.

The Snowy Waters train is one of Terry's models, and around the lodge his skills are evident.

As well, there's a kids' playground, kids' television room, PlayStation Sing Star karaoke, spa pools, petanque, giant Connect-4, and an outdoor area with a barbecue.

Jessica is a travelling tourist, all the way from from Bavaria, who helps out around the lodge.

And in the winter there's abundant warmth throughout the lodge, when the old radiators are stoked into life.

The family is in the throes of sanding the native timber floors throughout; it's a big job, but the result is worth the effort, Sandy says.

Sandy's partner is Dan Steele, of the Blue Duck Lodge, and now each of their businesses is coming into its own.

She knows the hospitality industry well, having worked her way up from being a waitress during school holidays.

Then she worked in various hotels around the world while soaking up her five-years' overseas experience and, on her return to Auckland, Sandy worked in business development for the Millennium Group.

She says she knows the industry from the inside and "knows where the gaps are".

She is not new to the Waimarino, however.

"We came to Ruapehu to ski when I was a kid, and when I was 9 we stayed here.

"I remember skiing down the front lawn when this place was called Oak Lodge."

Snowy Waters Lodge, 58 Ward St, Raetihi, 021 2876699, info@snowywaterslodge.co.nz