END HIGH DOWN SOUTH HELENE RAVLICH REPORTS ON THE QUEENSTOWN REGION S RESPONSE TO THE DEMANDS OF A BURGEONING LUXURY TOURISM MARKET.

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1 HIGH END DOWN SOUTH HELENE RAVLICH REPORTS ON THE QUEENSTOWN REGION S RESPONSE TO THE DEMANDS OF A BURGEONING LUXURY TOURISM MARKET. View from Eichardt s Penthouse 170 WORLD LIVING & TRAVEL 171

2 Over the past few years the South Island resort town of Queenstown has seen its high-end visitor capacity consistently stretched as the ultra-rich and their gatekeepers make the picture-perfect region a must-visit destination. It was reported as recently as 2015 that luxury accommodation in Queenstown had become so booked up that some tourists were flying down for the day from Auckland to take helicopter tours to scenic spots like Milford Sound, so local hospitality operators swiftly stepped up to answer the call. Eichardt s Penthouse: opulence within and magificent views from the outdoor terrace. PHOTO Queenstown Tourism A private jet terminal opened in Queenstown a couple of year ago to cope with the large volume of private planes flying into the alpine town, but parking space for these aircraft was soon at a premium. Meanwhile, a flurry of new, exquisitely appointed suites and lodges threw open their doors to visitors, from home and abroad, seeking a truly premium experience. Witness the following first-class reasons to visit Queenstown right now EICHARDT S PENTHOUSE EXPERIENCE Sitting on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Eichardt s is the most awarded private hotel in New Zealand. Even its many accolades do little to prepare you for kind of ambience and service that await you when you enter one of its plush suites, or even order a drink at the cosy, much-loved Eichardt s Bar. At the end of last year the hotel unveiled its opulent new Penthouse. It s about offering the next level of comfort seen at Eichardt s currently with even more options to customise the experience, said owner Andrew Cox at the time. Privacy is key to the design and will offer safe and very secure accommodation with unsurpassable views; the best of Queenstown literally below the doorstep and memories ready to be forged. Along with The Penthouse, Eichardt s launched the exclusive Penthouse Experience, a luxury adventure day package available only to Penthouse guests for an additional $8,995. The Penthouse Experience offers what Eichardt s believes is the ultimate New Zealand luxury adventure experience. It all starts with Prestige Adventure s guides collecting you from the hotel and transferring you by luxury vehicle to John Foster s 14,000-hectare Ben Lomond Station, the perfect playground for an eclectic menu of activities, including merino sheep shearing, 4WD experiences in a Yamaha Viking ATV, and fishing on Moke Lake. Next up is a gourmet barbecue lunch prepared by your Eichardt s chef (think Fiordland crayfish and Cardrona lamb) before you head off in a private helicopter to Cecil Peak. Boasting some of the most exceptional scenery in New Zealand, the Cecil Peak ridgeline offers the ideal terrain for a short afternoon hike surrounded by panoramic views across Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. Continue the adventure with private access to the world s highest par-3 golf hole, Over The Top Golf, at 1,400 metres, before finishing the day relaxing with a glass of Krug in your very own mountain spa, created exclusively for and only accessible to The Penthouse guests. BELOW: Off-roading at Ben Lomond Station, wine-tasting and high-altitude golf are all part of Eichardt s Penthouse Experience WORLD

3 THE GRILLE BY EICHARDT S Queenstown s growing reputation as hub for great food and wine was further cemented at the end of last year with the opening of The Grille by Eichardt s, a stylish top-end restaurant in Eichardt s Private Hotel on Marine Parade. The Grille open for sumptuous lunch and dinner options and its cocktail lounge boast a prime position with unobstructed views across Lake Wakatipu. The inspired list of dishes and cocktails is no surprise, given executive chef Will Eaglesfield s reputation as mastermind behind some of the tastiest menus in New Zealand and abroad. While the Britishborn chef s international experience (including stints in London, the French Alps and the Mediterranean) informs the colours and flavours of his dishes, The Grille s menu is a clear reflection of his passion for using the best local produce. Eaglesfield gives a glimpse of his approach to food when he described the crayfish meatballs on the opening menu as chargrilled for a little extra smoky flavour and served with handmade tagliatelle and a rich tomato broth infused with Otago-grown saffron. This menu really is unique in the sense it offers locally foraged produce and distinctly Queenstown flavours, with a splash of worldly indulgence. In true Eichardt s style, the design of the new restaurant is as impressive as the menu. Awardwinning architect Michael Wyatt has combined the elegance of Oamaru natural stone with weathered and exposed steel to create a unique Queenstown dining space WORLD LIVING & TRAVEL 175

4 SOFITEL PENTHOUSE NO.10 In November of last year the award-winning Sofitel hotel in Queenstown reopened its own top suite, Penthouse No.10, following a meticulous $2 million renovation. General manager Vincent Macquet said he and his team were excited to reveal our new-look Penthouse No.10, which will appeal to loyal and new guests alike. Our designers have worked to deliver a chic, modern makeover befitting a Parisian-meets-alpine-style apartment. While we ve updated our furnishings and artwork and refreshed our luxe colour palette and finishes, the team also took care to retain the indulgent French influence and accessible Queenstown charm of this amazing space. Located just a few steps up from the heart of Queenstown, distinct features of the generous 225-square-metre penthouse include sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu, two living areas and fireplaces, a private movie theatre, Bose audio system and latest-technology Apple TV with more than 120 TV channels, plus Xbox Kinect facilities. An oversized patio comes complete with a six-person Jacuzzi, perfect for relaxing with a partner or a larger party of friends. A private bar provides a selection of eight different wines (a mix of French and New Zealand labels such as Grant Taylor s renowned Central Otago Valli), French champagne, including Perrier Jouët, and high-end spirits like Grey Goose Vodka along with mixology tools. In addition, Penthouse guests have the services of a private butler to serve breakfast in their suite or perhaps help with shopping bags in town. The hotel s executive chef makes afternoon canapés daily, served as a perfect accompaniment to your complimentary bar. Every guest staying in Penthouse No.10 also earns a range of luxury extras, including private airport transfers, access to Sofitel s exclusive Club Lounge and a decadent wellbeing component that includes a two-hour treatment of their choice from the menu at the hotel s award-winning So Spa. Guests can also choose to have their So Spa treatment in the privacy of their Penthouse suite, or even on the balcony as they take in the view. Penthouse No.10 costs from $5,000 a night. To book, call or reservations@sofitelqueenstown.com Website: WORLD LIVING & TRAVEL 177

5 LODGE AT THE HILLS Lodge at The Hills is an exclusive-use luxury lodge set amid the rolling landscape of The Hills private golf course at Arrowtown, a 20-minute drive from Queenstown. The purpose-built Lodge at The Hills accommodates up to 12 people in considerable style and comfort, with extensive living spaces, six generously sized suites, an art studio, music and media room, a wine-cellar dining room and a large, open-plan kitchen and dining area. A couple of families or several couples might occupy the property together, but there s plenty of space indoors and out to guarantee private time. Facilities include a heated infinity pool, spa pool, sauna, grass tennis court, a par-3 golf hole, numerous outside dining areas, a fire pit and seating area, outdoor fireplace, petanque court and extensive landscaped gardens. The all-inclusive nightly tariff ranges from $28,000 (mid-june to mid-august) to $32,250 (high season) per night, five-night minimum stay. Bookings: THE DACHA, WANAKA Wanaka is a scenic playground on the other side of the Crown Range from Queenstown. Ranged around Lake Wanaka and on the doorstep of Mt Aspiring National Park, it s a true four-season alpine resort. Although Wanaka has grown over the past two decades to accommodate a growing influx of visitors, the town still prides itself on its relaxed atmosphere. There s plenty to do here, but without the hustle and bustle for which Queenstown is known. One of the region s most beautiful private residences, The Dacha is as elegant as it is modern, with dramatic panoramic views of Lake Wanaka and its spectacular mountain landscape through its floor-to-ceiling windows. Local Otago schist stonework features throughout the property and soaring timber-lined ceilings deliver warmth and contrast. The main residence has three superb en suite bedrooms and two generous bunkrooms. A private chef is available to prepare breakfast using local organic produce, while your personal concierge can help plan another day in a natural paradise that offers endless walking trails, mountain climbs, water sports, skiing, heli-adventures, wine tours and more. The property also features The Banya, a separate guest apartment that s perfect for couples. Bookings: WORLD LIVING & TRAVEL 179

6 Jacqui Spice TOUCH OF SPICE BESPOKE EXPERIENCES Touch of Spice curates some of New Zealand s finest customised experiences with an array of luxury accommodation and activities, with discretion assured for discerning local and international guests who might want to maintain their privacy. Founded by Jacqui Spice in 2005, Touch of Spice has evolved from a Queenstownbased concierge company to a market leader in high-end New Zealand tourism. Touch of Spice s ever-growing collection of handpicked luxury accommodation can be found in both off-the-beaten-track and more urban destinations. It provides guests with deluxe transportation options, an exclusive range of activities and attractions, rich art and cultural experiences and world-class food and wine. In 2015 and 2016 they were the only New Zealand company named by Travel + Leisure magazine among the World s Best Villa Rental Agencies and, for four consecutive years, recognised by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the top villa rental specialists on the planet. Examples of their bespoke experiences each one further tweaked to an individual guest s needs include an Art & Wine Tour with a Central Otago bent that includes a morning touring private galleries and studios in the Arrowtown region, meeting the artists and sculptors and hearing the stories behind their work. From there a helicopter will transport you to the Bannockburn wine region, where you ll enjoy a gourmet lunch at Carrick winery. Your personal driver will meet you there and you ll make your way back to Queenstown through the Kawarau Gorge and the Gibbston Valley wine regions, with wine tastings at some of the most celebrated vineyards in the country, including Mt Difficulty and Felton Road. For those wanting a more physical challenge, they offer stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking jaunts across Lake Wanaka. A novel twist might be to turn your paddle board into a floating yoga mat with a professional private yoga instructor guiding you through the process. End the day at Sanctuary, Wanaka s luxury day spa, which offers a complete selection of beauty therapy treatments in an elegant Mediterranean setting along with private pools and hot tubs. Touch of Spice curates a wide range of luxury accommodation, transport, activities and attractions throughout the country from its Queenstown base WORLD LIVING & TRAVEL 181