E nga manuhiri tuarangi,
E nga manuhiri o nga hau e wha,
E nga manuhiri waewae tapu,
Nau mai, Tauti mai, Whakatau mai ra!
Manaaki Tu, Manaaki Ora, Manaaki ki Radfords on the lake.
To our most important guests
To our guests brought here by the four winds.
To our guests here for the first time.
To you at this time, to you all at this time, a most formal welcome at this time.
Supporting you to stand here, Supporting your wellbeing through the support and hospitality of Radfords on the lake.
Family is at the heart of Radfords on the Lake, with husband-and-wife duo Kerri & Steve and the wider whānau all chipping in to ensure guests experience the absolute best of Te Anau.
The story of Radfords starts at the turn of the millennium, while people were worrying about Y2K, our founders Mervyn and Sandra Radford were building a dream of a perfect retreat on the shores of Lake Te Anau. The site was originally home to two houses which were removed to make way for the complex you see today.
In 2008, Sandra and Merv decided it was time to move on and we, Kerri and Steve James, were lucky to buy the lease in May 2008 and then a few years later purchased the land and buildings. Officially making Radfords our home.
In 2015 we rebranded from Radfords Lakeview Motel to Radfords on the Lake. Feedback from guests was that the name ‘Radford’s Lakeview Motel’ did not match the quality of rooms and service we were providing and was not fitting with our 4.5 star Qualmark rating.
The comfort and enjoyment of our guests has always been at the heart of our business. Over the years, we have worked alongside Helen Whittaker, whose expertise and guidance have helped us thoughtfully remodel and refurbish the property to the highest standard. New kitchenettes have been installed, while the lighting, furnishings, beds and heating have all been carefully upgraded to enhance both comfort and style. Our bathrooms have also been completely remodelled, now featuring tiled floors with underfloor heating, waterfall showers and contemporary fittings throughout. To maintain the highest standards of comfort and quality, all bedding is replaced every three years. The love, care and attention invested in the property over time has been recognised with a 5-Star Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Award from Qualmark, a distinction we have proudly held since 2015.
At the core of our business is family. We are family owned and run and everyone plays their part. We live onsite, Kerri’s mum, Phyllis is our resident gardener and she looks after all the lawns and gardens to the highest standard. Our guests love our gardens and always comment on the care and attention that goes into them. Our daughter Shelley has been working behind the scenes and keeping the fires burning for the past 15 years. always wearing many hats; from compliance to HR, to health and safety and always available in a supportive role. Shelley’s hard work has played a huge part in our success today (along with doing all the admin for our farm and contracting business too). We promise we do allow her time off!
We are very much a family business. Our youngest daughter, Katie, has been hands-on since 2006 when we first opened Lakefront Lodge. At just 16 years old, she managed the lodge for two weeks while we took a well-earned family break in Australia, a true reflection of her dedication and capability from an early age. After gaining valuable experience working on a variety of farms, Katie returned to the family business in 2016, taking on the role of farm manager alongside her husband. Alongside her farming responsibilities, Katie has become a driving force behind our sustainability and environmental initiatives. She oversees our annual EKOS Net Zero Carbon Certification, completed a three-day Freshwater Farm Planning course in line with New Zealand government regulations, and plays an integral role in maintaining our annual Qualmark 5-Star Gold Sustainability accreditation. Katie is always ready to lend a hand at Radfords, and guests will often find her in the front office or behind the scenes assisting with administration. More recently, our three beautiful granddaughters have become the next generation “in training”, helping with check-ins and sharing their favourite family-friendly activities in Te Anau with visiting families.
Steve owns and operates Steve James Contracting, he and his team do cultivation work, hay and balage. While you won’t see too much of Steve around the property, he works long hours over the summer with his operations and helps on the farm too when needed, without his support Radfords would not be where it is today.
While not connected by blood, the Radfords family would not be complete without Jeanette and Kylie, who have been part of the team since 2014 and truly are the heart and soul of the property. Alongside Sonja, Ninm and Priscila, they are the people who keep everything running seamlessly behind the scenes and uphold the exceptionally high standards we are so proud of. Our housekeeping team is an integral part of the guest experience and the success of Radfords. Kylie, in particular, has shown unwavering dedication and commitment over the years. She oversees Radfords in our absence and cares for the property as though it were her own. Her loyalty, professionalism and genuine passion for what she does is truly extraordinary, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have worked alongside her since 2014.
The true local attraction on the Te Anau Lakefront is Radfords on the Lake’s very own fluffy feline Dexter Dude, their resident pedigree Ragdoll. His charm and charisma certainly make Dexter feel like he’s a King! You can often find him curled up on the reception chair or even on the odd guest bed if he’s lucky enough to sneak in – he certainly gets the royal treatment!
Hosting guests from all walks of life, from across New Zealand and from all corners of the world is a dream come true for Kerri and the family – delivering a warm welcome and top-notch customer service is in their blood! They simply can’t imagine themselves in any other career.
Tourism Awards
We’re a trusted and reliable accommodation provider, consistently ranked as the #1 place to stay in Te Anau on TripAdvisor. Just in case you need more convincing, our trophy cabinet is also home to:
We also boast a Qualmark Rated 5-Star rating, along with a Gold Sustainability Award. Qualmark is New Zealand’s official mark of quality; meaning Radfords on the Lake has met or scored above industry best practice standards to be recipients of these awards
Te Anau is a special place nestled in the heart of Fiordland – there is so much to see and explore. It is perfect for those that love outdoor adventuring, relaxing by a lake and taking in the gorgeous sights there is on offer. From our three Great Walks to Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, and ancient glow worm caves, Fiordland is unlike anywhere else on earth and is one of New Zealand’s most spectacular places to visit. We’ve crafted a range of packages that help guests make the most of this special place – all packages use the very best operators in the region. There has never been a better time to visit Fiordland!
“When a place is so special it’s been awarded World Heritage status, seeing it from the air is an absolute Must-Do.”
Southern Lake Helicopters, based on the edge of Te Anau Lake, just minutes from Radfords, offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience for visitors to the region. From their spectacular Milford Sound scenic flight to landing in a hanging valley in Doubtful Sound, a scenic flight makes an unforgettable addition to your New Zealand vacation.
We are committed to preserving our beautiful surroundings and reducing our footprint on the environment.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL IMAGES WITH US
