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 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 14 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 will give her time of
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 10 years ago taking on the role of farm manager with her husband. Additionally, Katie has been focused on sustainability and environmental compliance, successfully working on the EKOS Net Zero Carbon Certification and completing a three-day course on Freshwater Farm Planning in accordance with New Zealand government regulations. She also helped with the Qualmark Certification process with our evaluation Qualmark 5 star Gold Sustainability again for 2025. Always around to help in Radfords when needed you will often find Katie 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 over 10 years and are the life and soul of this place along with Sonja, Trish, Merlita and Priscila. 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 and we have had the privilege of working with Kylie for over 10 years.
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.
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