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 core of our business. Over the years we have engaged Helen Whittaker from Hawkes Bay Design and with her help, guidance and expertise we have remodelled and refurbished the property. New kitchenettes have been installed, the lighting, furniture, beds and heating have all been updated. Every 3 years we replace our bedding to ensure everything is kept to the highest quality. All our hard work, love and care has paid off, we are now a Qualmark rated 5 Star with Gold Level Certification with Sustainability, since 2015, which we are very proud of.
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 12 years. Managing the property in our absence and always wearing many hats; from compliance to HR, health and safety to marketing. 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 will give her time off!
It’s all family here. Katie, our youngest daughter, has been hands on in the business since 2006 when we started Lakefront Lodge. At 16 she managed Lakefront Lodge for two weeks while we were taking a much earned break in Australia. After some time working and learning on various farms, Katie rejoined the family business around 8 years ago taking on the role of farm manager with her husband. Always around to help in Radfords when needed you will often find her in the front office or out the back doing admin along with our three beautiful granddaughters who love to help with check in’s and help families pick the best family friendly activities in Te Anau.
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 with us for almost 10 years and are the life and soul of this place along with Sonja, Mandy and Katherine. They are the ones that keep this place running smoothly and keep our standards so high, we are very proud of our Housekeeping team. Kylie also looks after Radfords in our absence and treats it like her own, Her dedication is truly something else.
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
We always get asked how close we are to the centre of town, so we thought we’d show you! Come with us on our short, flat 7 minute walk from Te Anau town centre back to the lake views from Radfords.
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#fiordland #fiordlandnz #lovefiordland #fiordlandbeyondbelief #radfordsonthelake
#fiordland #fiordlandnationalpark #fiordlandnz #nz #destinationnz #milfordsound #laketeanau #teanau #doubtfulsound #nzmustdo #southislandnz #southisland #newzealand #purenewzealand #purenz #newzealandguide #newzealandvacations #newzealandtravel #dosomethingnewnz #mysouthland #southland
Oct 12
Throwback Thursday! Reminiscing on a great night at the @hospitalitynz Awards for Excellence 2023 back in June. While we didn`t win on the night, we were super proud to be a finalist alongside some fantastic motels. And it`s always fun to get dressed up in the big city and celebrate our great industry with all our industry friends.
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#fiordland #fiordlandnz #lovefiordland #fiordlandbeyondbelief #radfordsonthelake
#fiordland #fiordlandnationalpark #fiordlandnz #nz #destinationnz #milfordsound #laketeanau #teanau #doubtfulsound #nzmustdo #southislandnz #southisland #newzealand #purenewzealand #purenz #newzealandguide #newzealandvacations #newzealandtravel #dosomethingnewnz #mysouthland #southland
Sep 21
If you`re visiting us during school holidays and your looking for some family friendly activities, make sure a visit to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves with @real.newzealand is top of your list. This unique Fiordland experience is not to be missed. We can help you make a booking before you arrive or chat to our friendly team when you check-in.
📸 @real.newzealand
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#fiordland #fiordlandnz #lovefiordland #fiordlandbeyondbelief #radfordsonthelake
#fiordland #fiordlandnationalpark #fiordlandnz #nz #destinationnz #milfordsound #laketeanau #teanau #doubtfulsound #nzmustdo #southislandnz #southisland #newzealand #purenewzealand #purenz #newzealandguide #newzealandvacations #newzealandtravel #dosomethingnewnz #mysouthland #southland
📸📸📸📸📸📸📸📸📸📸📸⭐😍😏
Sep 12
We made the most of the gorgeous spring weather over the weekend and got out to enjoy one of our favourite things to do in Te Anau, - a stroll along the lakefront. A must do when you visit us.
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#fiordland #fiordlandnz #lovefiordland #fiordlandbeyondbelief #radfordsonthelake
#fiordland #fiordlandnationalpark #fiordlandnz #nz #destinationnz #milfordsound #laketeanau #teanau #doubtfulsound #nzmustdo #southislandnz #southisland #newzealand #purenewzealand #purenz #newzealandguide #newzealandvacations #newzealandtravel #dosomethingnewnz #mysouthland #southland
Sep 5
Wow! We can`t believe it`s the first day of spring. While we love the cosy winter nights we are ready for the longer days and warmer temps. We`re looking forward to evenings on the patio sipping a glass of Rosé. Who is planning a Fiordland adventure this spring?
📸 @digitaltravelcouple
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#fiordland #fiordlandnz #lovefiordland #fiordlandbeyondbelief #radfordsonthelake
#fiordland #fiordlandnationalpark #fiordlandnz #nz #destinationnz #milfordsound #laketeanau #teanau #doubtfulsound #nzmustdo #southislandnz #southisland #newzealand #purenewzealand #purenz #newzealandguide #newzealandvacations #newzealandtravel #dosomethingnewnz #mysouthland #southland
Sep 1
Fiordland is full of adventures, but after a day of exploring Radfords on the Lake is the perfect place to come back to and relax. Our luxurious rooms provide you with a cosy sanctuary, so you can reflect and recharge on your day.
📸 @thejoshshaw
#fiordland #fiordlandnz #lovefiordland #fiordlandbeyondbelief #radfordsonthelake
#fiordland #fiordlandnationalpark #fiordlandnz #nz #destinationnz #milfordsound #laketeanau #teanau #doubtfulsound #nzmustdo #southislandnz #southisland #newzealand #purenewzealand #purenz #newzealandguide #newzealandvacations #newzealandtravel #dosomethingnewnz #mysouthland #southland
Aug 26
Picture perfect moments at the Te Anau jetty. A popular spot for photographers. Have you visited this Instagram famous spot in Te Anau?
📸 @digitaltravelcouple
#fiordland #fiordlandnz #lovefiordland #fiordlandbeyondbelief #radfordsonthelake
#fiordland #fiordlandnationalpark #fiordlandnz #nz #destinationnz #milfordsound #laketeanau #teanau #doubtfulsound #nzmustdo #southislandnz #southisland #newzealand #purenewzealand #purenz #newzealandguide #newzealandvacations #newzealandtravel #dosomethingnewnz #mysouthland #southland
Aug 17
While we are a small team at Radfords on the Lake, all team members, both human and feline play an important part ensuring our guests have a great time. Dexter Dude is our resident sun snoozer but loves nothing more than a cuddle from our guests. A social fellow is our Dexter and to us he is just purr-fect. So as today is #internationalcatday we celebrate our favourite furry feline friend.
#fiordland #fiordlandnz #lovefiordland #fiordlandbeyondbelief #radfordsonthelake
#fiordland #fiordlandnationalpark #fiordlandnz #nz #destinationnz #milfordsound #laketeanau #teanau #doubtfulsound #nzmustdo #southislandnz #southisland #newzealand #purenewzealand #purenz #newzealandguide #newzealandvacations #newzealandtravel #dosomethingnewnz #mysouthland #southland
Aug 8
Once you`ve booked your stay with us here at Radfords on the Lake, did you know we can help you plan and book all your Fiordland activities? Fiordland is our home so let us help you make the most of this special place so you don`t miss a thing.
📸 @real.newzealand cruising in Doubtful Sound
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#fiordland #fiordlandnz #lovefiordland #fiordlandbeyondbelief #radfordsonthelake
#fiordland #fiordlandnationalpark #fiordlandnz #nz #destinationnz #milfordsound #laketeanau #teanau #doubtfulsound #nzmustdo #southislandnz #southisland #newzealand #purenewzealand #purenz #newzealandguide #newzealandvacations #newzealandtravel #dosomethingnewnz #mysouthland #southland
Aug 3
Golden hour at Radfords on the Lake.
Winter in the National Park is beautiful but we do miss those long, hot summer days.
@digitaltravelcouple
#fiordland #fiordlandnz #lovefiordland #fiordlandbeyondbelief #radfordsonthelake
#fiordland #fiordlandnationalpark #fiordlandnz #nz #destinationnz #milfordsound #laketeanau #teanau #doubtfulsound #nzmustdo #southislandnz #southisland #newzealand #purenewzealand #purenz #newzealandguide #newzealandvacations #newzealandtravel #dosomethingnewnz #mysouthland #southland
Jul 17
Fiordland National Park is a hikers paradise and Te Anau is the gateway to the National Park. Radfords on the Lake is the perfect place to base yourself for all your Fiordland adventures. Relax in comfort and style in one of our luxurious lakeside apartments after a day of exploring.
📸 @digitaltravelcouple
#fiordland #fiordlandnz #lovefiordland #fiordlandbeyondbelief #radfordsonthelake
#fiordland #fiordlandnationalpark #fiordlandnz #nz #destinationnz #milfordsound #laketeanau #teanau #doubtfulsound #nzmustdo #southislandnz #southisland #newzealand #purenewzealand #purenz #newzealandguide #newzealandvacations #newzealandtravel #dosomethingnewnz #mysouthland #southland
Jul 13
