QUEENSTOWN

Four of the best places to stay in New Zealand’s adventure capital.

1 Luxury Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa

A stalwart of the Central Otago pinot noir region, Gibbston Valley Winery was the first commercial vineyard in the area and makes an ideal stay for oenophiles. The lodge’s main building (hotel.qantas. com.au/gibbstonvalleylodge) has a heritage feel on approach thanks to the schist stone exterior but inside is a sleek, open-plan space divided loosely into a lobby, lounge, restaurant, bar and library. The 24 villas are modern, plush and completely private from both the road and other guests, thanks to clever landscaping.

2 Romance Kamana Lakehouse

Sitting at one of the highest vantage points in Queenstown, this hillside property boasts remarkable vistas, particularly from the huge deck off its Mediterranean-influenced restaurant, Nest. Located in Fernhill, a five-minute drive from town, Kamana Lakehouse (hotel.qantas.com.au/kamana lakehouse) has rooms with water views and also include outdoor soaking tubs to up the romance. Indoors, the styling is contemporary alpine-chic, with a natural colour palette and upcycled birch branches decorating the lobby.

3 Family Scenic Suites

Most guestrooms at Scenic Suites (hotel.qantas.com.au/ scenic suites queens town) offer glimpses of the incredible landscape but a spot at the front of the property gives you Lake Wakatipu views. Interconnecting rooms are available when more space is needed and parents with young children will appreciate the fully equipped kitchen and washing facilities in the accommodation. Though the on-site restaurant is compact, its bistro favourites can be ordered to your room before 9pm. A useful extra when kids need to be early to bed.

4 Boutique The Spire

In the centre of town, a mini maze of Melbourne-style laneways are lined with bars and restaurants so hip that just wandering past will make you feel cool. The Spire (hotel. qantas.com.au/thespire), is secreted away down Church Lane and manages to maintain that feeling in its 10 identical suites: think bold red-white-andblack palettes and furniture that’s decadent but not ostentatious. The associated restaurant and bar, No5 Church Lane, serves up innovative takes on local produce and has an impressive cocktail (and absinthe) list.