6 Reasons to Book a Chalet at The Retreat for Christmas and Boxing Day

Far better than a change of scenery, spending Christmas and Boxing Day away from home means you’re giving yourself the gift of time, connection, and a bit of space to breathe. Choosing to stay at The Retreat near Lake Taupō with your loved ones allows you to celebrate the holidays in an exquisite chalet that feels like home-but-better. With your festive gathering in mind, here are a few reasons you’ll want to book your chalet Taupo vacation early for the big days.

1. A Festive Setting That Feels Special

Imagine waking on Christmas morning in a self-contained chalet where your first step is onto a deck overlooking the water or a landscaped lawn. You can choose to greet the day exactly that way at one of our lakeside accommodations. The Retreat’s chalets offer full kitchens, dining areas, and private decks, so you can celebrate the holidays as you would in your own space—just a little more luxuriously. If you’re cooking a roast or sharing pizza for Boxing Day, feel free to do so. Add to that the location, which is a 3-4-minute drive from Taupō township. This means that help is nearby, but you’re still tucked away.

The ambience matters, too. When you stay at a lakeside chalet, you’re not chasing hotel check-outs or sharing a lobby full of strangers in their flip-flops. You’re together with the people who matter to you, and the setting supports that. Whether you’re with extended family, friends, or a few couples, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a thoughtfully designed space just for you.

2. Space and Privacy for All Ages

If you’ve ever tried squeezing into one hotel room with kids, presents, and champagne, you’ll appreciate what a proper chalet offers. Each of The Retreat’s chalets features two full bedrooms upstairs (both with en-suites), a kitchen and lounge downstairs, plus outdoor space.

That means parents can stay up later, kids can nap or play without disturbing others, and everyone still shares the day.

In such a space, privacy doesn’t feel like division. It simply means less fuss. While others are wrangling blankets or fighting over space, you’re relaxing while surrounded by nature, enjoying your own walk, reading a book, or making pancakes without interruption.

3. Convenience for Festive Logistics

Holiday accommodations can be beautiful, but sometimes it’s a pain when you realise you’re miles from food, shops, or activities. The Retreat isn’t like that. You’ve got the kitchen, so you can handle your own Christmas meal, or just leave the cooking to someone else and grill on the deck. Full laundry, if needed, is also available. Each chalet also comes with a smart TV and BBQ for Boxing Day fun.

With the township of Taupō only minutes away, you’re not sacrificing convenience either. If someone decides at the last minute they need a gift or you want to join a local event, you’re set. Achieving the balance of being near the action but not in the crowd is a major win.

4. A Backdrop That Makes the Day Memorable

Christmas and Boxing Day deserve more than four walls. At The Retreat, you get lakefront or lakeside views, native trees, lawn space, and access to the water. Being surrounded by nature in this manner elevates the mood, whether you’re quietly having your morning coffee by the lake or watching the kids running on the lawn. It’s the perfect setting for the kind of moments that you’ll keep coming back to, such as a late-afternoon swim, a BBQ on the deck, or a board game by the fire.

5. Flexibility and Comfort for Everyone

The best holiday spots adapt to how you live, not the other way round. Designed for flexibility, The Retreat’s chalets offer heating choices (wood-burner or heat pump), laundry facilities, a deck, a full kitchen, and enough space for 4–5 people comfortably, up to 7 if needed. As such, if you want to mix a cosy dinner with a swim after lunch, you can. If kids want to disappear into the lounge while adults sip something outside, you’ll appreciate the layout.

And if you’re bringing older visitors, younger ones, or maybe a pet (yes, The Retreat allows pets with prior permission), you’ve got options. The trick is making the holiday feel effortless, and the setting supports that.

6. Moments of Togetherness and Space to Recharge

When everyone’s visiting, the space between ‘together’ and ‘alone’ matters. A chalet gives you both. You might cook Christmas dinner as a group, then later retreat to the deck or lounge for quiet time. Boxing Day often becomes less about ‘what’s next’ and more about ‘what’s next, if any’. This place gives you that kind of rhythm.

You’ll find shared spaces for the main event, such as the lounge, dining, and deck, as well as private zones for a nap or a conversation away from the bustle. The design of the space encourages both connection and rest.

Plan Your Next Art Retreat with Our Team

If you’re ready to enjoy a change of pace and rekindle your passion for creating, then it’s time to book a chalet art retreat. With the beauty of the Lake Taupo area as your backdrop, along with access to amenities that promote a calm and stress-free stay, The Retreat offers a restorative getaway for artists to reconnect with themselves and with art.