Huhu Chalet Review: An Unique Experience within close proximity of Waitomo Caves!

Huhu Chalet was where we stayed at next due to its close proximity to the Waitomo Caves. Waitomo Caves is famous for its underground cave systems and also the glow worms within! One of the reasons why we chose Huhu Chalet was because of this…

Huhu Chalet next to Huhu Cafe near Waitomo Caves

Yes, the unique structure of Huhu Chalet! It is shaped like a tower and is rather distinctive in the Waitomo area. Originally, we wanted to try out the craft beers at Huhu Cafe next door. Unfortunately, it was closed. This is because during the winter months, Huhu Cafe is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. However, this also meant that there were no visitors to Huhu Cafe, making our stay at Huhu Chalet rather nice and tranquil. We read that due to visitors to Huhu Cafe next door, curious guests would also peer into Huhu Chalet to see how its like inside. In this post, we’ll show you the interiors of Huhu Chalet…

Inside Huhu Chalet Waitomo

After unlocking the padlet at the entrance of Huhu Chalet to get the keys, we entered into the first floor of Huhu Chalet where you’ll find a table, a comfy couch, the kitchen, TV and the bathroom…

Table at first floor of Huhu Chalet where you can have your meals

Huhu Chalet first floor - Comfortable Sofa with street views behind — Huhu Chalet first floor – Comfortable Sofa with street views behind

Huhu Chalet first floor - Well equipped kitchen with microwave and fridge — Huhu Chalet first floor – Well equipped kitchen with microwave and fridge

Huhu Chalet first floor - Bathroom with street views — Huhu Chalet first floor – Bathroom with street views

Huhu Chalet first floor - Showers with hot water — Huhu Chalet first floor – Showers with hot water

Our first impression of Huhu Chalet was that it is quite “open”. If you take a look at the small little windows, through them, you could see the streets below the slope. Which means that people can see you too. This is especially apparent in the bathroom – though passers-by would not usually notice this.

In the first floor, you’ll find TV with local channels, a kitchenette (not a kitchen) because you’re only able to find kettle, microwave and fridge but not actually cooking stoves or anything like that. There’s coffee, tea, sugar, milk and water provided as well.

Upstairs, you’ll find the bedroom…

On the second level, you’ll find the bed as well as a portable air-conditioning/heater. The unique part is the views towards the sky as you fall asleep at night. A rather unique experience of having so much space above you – unlike our usual beds with low ceilings in AirBnb or hotels. It would have been nice to have another TV in the bedroom – though it was probably the intention of the builders for guests to just sleep when you’re upstairs. In terms of privacy, there are no windows on the second floor, so you’ll have absolute privacy. Plus, the smell of the wood used to build the Huhu Tower, does help guests to feel relaxed before going to dreamy land.

In and Around Huhu Chalet

Waitomo Caves Visitor Centre

Huhu Chalet is actually well situated to thoroughly enjoy the Waitomo Cave systems…Firstly, it is located just diagonally opposite the Waitomo Caves Visitor Centre which is a good starting point to learn about the caves, the glow worms and get some information on how to visit these attractions. There’s a museum within which, for $5, allows you to learn about the discovery of the caves, the formation of the caves and learn that glow worms are actually glow maggots! Yikes!

The General Store Waitomo

Next door, you’ll find the General Store Waitomo where you can buy some snacks, drinks as well as have a meal or some ice cream. Prices here are a little steeper but that is to be expected given the area that it is in.

Huhu Cafe

Next to Huhu Chalet is the Huhu Cafe (of the same owners) where you’ll be able to find some great foods as well as New Zealand craft beers and ciders. Perfect for those who do drive because if you’re tipsy, you’ll just walk back to Huhu Chalet to sleep it off.

Ruakuri Bush Walk

About 5 minutes drive away is the Ruakuri Bush Walk where you’ll be able to walk through a passage made up of natural cave tunnels. This is a free attraction and is a recommended place to explore in the Waitomo area. At night, if you’re adventurous enough, you can visit the areas along the river to see the glow worms as well.

Waitomo Cave Formations and Glow Worms via Ruakuri Cave Tour

Waitomo Glow Worms with its sticky silk threads

The guided Ruakuri Cave Tour was $87 per person. The tour takes 1.5 hours and provides an immersive experience through the Waitomo Cave System and see the glow worms for yourself. As our camera is not that good (sponsors anyone?), we were only able to take shades of this beautiful creatures. Go on a tour and experience this unique natural wonder yourself!

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Overall, we really enjoyed our stay at Huhu Chalet. Given its close proximity to attractions in the Waitomo area, it definitely had a very good location. Moreover, it is an unique structure that gave us an experience that we’ve not enjoyed before. If you do not like visitors peering into your space, choose a date when Huhu Cafe is closed and you would enjoy a quiet evening at Huhu Chalet like we did!

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New Zealand North Island Travel Itinerary

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 1: Flying SQ Business Class and Visiting the New SilverKris Lounge!

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 2: Arriving in Auckland and Hanging out in Hamilton

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 3: Visiting Hobbiton, Lake Rotorua and Eat Streat in Rotorua

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 4: Mud Spa at Hell’s Gate Rotorua, Huka Falls, Dixie Browns and Millenium Manuel Hotel Taupo

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 5: Mini Golf, Lake Taupo Maori Cave Carving Cruise, Cornerstone Taphouse and Steaks at Edgewater Restaurant Taupo!

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 6: Mission Estate Winery, Te Awanga Estate, Remutaka Crossing and Hey Day Beer Co Wellington

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 7: Breakfast at Wellington Sea Market, Fork and Brewer Craft Beer, Wellington Museum, Rogue and Vagabond, Shelly Bay Wellywood Sign

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 8: Mount Victoria and driving back north to Bulls and Skotel Alpine Resort, Tongariro National Park

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 9: From Skotel Alpine Resort to Tama Lake, Mount Ngauruhoe with views of Mount Ruapehu

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 10: Stopping at Taumarunui enroute to Huhu Chalet and Waitomo Ruakuri Caves!