It’s not an exaggeration to say that Queenstown is one of the most beautiful towns in the world. Located right on the pristine, ice-clear waters of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the towering Southern Alps, its scenery will take your breath away (and quite literally too, if you decide to tackle Queenstown Hill’s summit). Throw in adrenaline-pumping activities like mountain biking, bungee jumping, jet boat riding and snowboarding, a cosmopolitan town lined with cool bars, great restaurants and flash shops, and the fact that it’s located in Central Otago (home to the world’s great wineries) – it’s little wonder why Queenstown is one of Aoeteora’s biggest draw cards. If you’ve been here, you’ll know what I’m going on about. And if you haven’t, book a flight. Like, yesterday.
You’ll need somewhere to stay, of course. And that’s where QT Queenstown comes in. A 20-minute drive from the airport, the luxury hotel is about a ten-minute walk from the heart of town, up a slight hill and perched overlooking the blue lake and soaring Remarkables mountain range. It's a cracking base to leave the car for a few days and explore the best of Queenstown on foot (except when you need to drive to visit Central Otago’s excellent wineries, which I very much recommend that you do).
Formidable interior designer and stylist Nic Graham is behind QT Queenstown’s look, which features its signature quirky and whimsical flair. Expect lots of bold, bright colours, geometric shapes and statement artworks, with nods to the surrounding alpine and ski lifestyle. If you’re looking for beige and bland, QT Queenstown isn’t your place. Class with a touch of silliness? Now, they serve that in mountain-size helpings.
There are 69 guest rooms at QT Queenstown, all of which come with complimentary parking, 24-hour reception, room service and Wi-Fi. I stayed in the Lake King room, which featured a Juliet balcony to take in the fairytale lake and mountain vistas. The room was spacious, light-filled and the attention to detail was paramount. A cocktail shaker with all the ingredients to make an Espresso Martini was looking up at me as I walked in. Forest green cushions and pops of azure blue tied in with the gorgeous natural surroundings. There was a Nespresso machine with complimentary pods. And, of course, there was QT’s famous Dream Bed, which is as big as a cloud, feels like one, and is so beloved the team now sells them so you can take the perfect night’s sleep with you.
Sleek and sophisticated, the bathroom has a white and black colour palette, marble tiles, and a freestanding bath, and includes a Dyson hair dryer and Kevin Murphy amenities. I almost forgot where I was staying, but then my eyes saw a single rubber duckie in the corner next to bath salts, smiling at me. I smiled back.
Breakfast is almost always a highlight at a hotel, but the one at QT Queenstown is especially so. Located on level six, QT Queenstown’s signature sun-drenched restaurant Bazaar has huge rectangle windows that allow guests to take in the incredible views alongside their eggs and OJ. A food lover’s dream, the buffet breakfast has all of the hits on offer, including waffles, organic Spanish-style eggs, housemade rosti, lamb sausages and fresh fruit. And, there’s a DIY Bloody Mary station to kick off your day on a fiery note. Come the afternoon, you can head to Reds Bar for the finest Central Otago vino and classic cocktails, as well as cheese boards, freshly shucked oysters, wood-fired pizzas and burgers.
And, depending on what time of the year it is, there’s an outdoor pool if you wish to take a refreshing dip (note, QT Queenstown shares some spaces with Rydges Queenstown, which is located in front of the hotel).
Queenstown is a town to explore, to experience and discover. It’s not a town where you stay indoors all day (unless you’re drinking wine). But I will say this: the view is pretty damn good from QT Queenstown. So when you need a place to rest, relax and recuperate before you go out and hit the slopes or hike up a mountain, you can do it in style with a sprinkle of fun here.
Time Out Sydney stayed as a guest of QT Queenstown.
