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NewsNew Zealand • 2011-04-08

Select the country and object's type Queenstown lodge among world's hottest hotels

A boutique luxury lodge near Queenstown, in New Zealand’s South Island, has been named as one of the hottest new hotels in the world.

Luxury US travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller has named Matakauri Lodge in their 2011 highly coveted hot list - one of only 66 hotels from 31 countries.

The hotels were chosen after months of research, from hundreds of suggestions from around the globe, and announced this week at an event packed with hospitality industry leaders at London's new W Hotel.

Matakauri Lodge managing director Jay Robertson is elated at the news.

"Matakauri Lodge is a special place and our family are thrilled that we have opened to such unanimous acceptance from our guests. Being recognised by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the world’s hottest hotels is absolutely a great honour for the whole lodge team."

Matakauri Lodge

Nestled in one of the world’s most serenely beautiful landscapes, Matakauri Lodge overlooks the glacial Lake Wakatipu, and the majestic peaks of The Remarkables mountain range. The surrounding Queenstown region is renowned as New Zealand’s adventure tourism playground.

Originally built in 2000, the lodge was acquired in 2009 by the Robertson family - owners of two other New Zealand luxury lodges, Kauri Cliffs and The Farm at Cape Kidnappers.

Since then, Matakauri has undergone an extensive 12-month makeover - in the hands of acclaimed New Zealand interior designer Virginia Fisher - and re-opened in August 2010 as an intimate boutique hotel.

Luxurious suites

Matakauri has 11 luxurious guest suites, with eight outlying cottages and three suites located in the main lodge.

Each suite has a private porch, bedroom with sitting area, open fireplace, walk-in wardrobe and bathroom.

Guests can enjoy the mesmerising scenery while having a spa treatment, swimming or working out in the gym.

Each evening, they mingle family-style over drinks and canapés in the central lodge before dining on chef Dale Gartland's daily-changing menu of regional produce - such as Aoraki salmon or New Zealand lamb - with top local wines to match.

Background: Queenstown

Queenstown’s stunning scenery and vast range of year-round recreational activities attract more than a million visitors annually. The region has many top restaurants, internationally recognised vineyards and luxury lodges.

Summer pursuits during long hot days on Queenstown’s lakes include fishing, hiking and relaxation. Autumn’s crisp, clear days offer great golfing conditions, and the colourful contrast of falling leaves against a mountainous landscape. In winter, snow-covered mountains attract crowds of skiers and snowboarders to nearby ski-fields for an action-packed season that often lasts into spring.

More information

Matakauri Lodge opens

Luxury in New Zealand

These topics may also be of interest to you

* Luxury

* Queenstown

* Tourism News

Related Links

Other Sites

• Matakauri Lodge website

• 2011 Hot List: Conde Nast Traveller website

A boutique luxury lodge near Queenstown, in New Zealand’s South Island, has been named as one of the hottest new hotels in the world.

Luxury US travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller has named Matakauri Lodge in their 2011 highly coveted hot list - one of only 66 hotels from 31 countries.

The hotels were chosen after months of research, from hundreds of suggestions from around the globe, and announced this week at an event packed with hospitality industry leaders at London's new W Hotel.

Matakauri Lodge managing director Jay Robertson is elated at the news.

"Matakauri Lodge is a special place and our family are thrilled that we have opened to such unanimous acceptance from our guests. Being recognised by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the world’s hottest hotels is absolutely a great honour for the whole lodge team."

Matakauri Lodge

Nestled in one of the world’s most serenely beautiful landscapes, Matakauri Lodge overlooks the glacial Lake Wakatipu, and the majestic peaks of The Remarkables mountain range. The surrounding Queenstown region is renowned as New Zealand’s adventure tourism playground.

Originally built in 2000, the lodge was acquired in 2009 by the Robertson family - owners of two other New Zealand luxury lodges, Kauri Cliffs and The Farm at Cape Kidnappers.

Since then, Matakauri has undergone an extensive 12-month makeover - in the hands of acclaimed New Zealand interior designer Virginia Fisher - and re-opened in August 2010 as an intimate boutique hotel.

Luxurious suites

Matakauri has 11 luxurious guest suites, with eight outlying cottages and three suites located in the main lodge.

Each suite has a private porch, bedroom with sitting area, open fireplace, walk-in wardrobe and bathroom.

Guests can enjoy the mesmerising scenery while having a spa treatment, swimming or working out in the gym.

Each evening, they mingle family-style over drinks and canapés in the central lodge before dining on chef Dale Gartland's daily-changing menu of regional produce - such as Aoraki salmon or New Zealand lamb - with top local wines to match.

Background: Queenstown

Queenstown’s stunning scenery and vast range of year-round recreational activities attract more than a million visitors annually. The region has many top restaurants, internationally recognised vineyards and luxury lodges.

Summer pursuits during long hot days on Queenstown’s lakes include fishing, hiking and relaxation. Autumn’s crisp, clear days offer great golfing conditions, and the colourful contrast of falling leaves against a mountainous landscape. In winter, snow-covered mountains attract crowds of skiers and snowboarders to nearby ski-fields for an action-packed season that often lasts into spring.

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