Heart of the Park
Arthur’s Chalet is a hotel, restaurant and bar with a fine reputation both nationally and internationally, located in picturesque Arthurs Pass, in the heart of the spectacular National Park, writes Keith Whitten.
The listing for sale of Arthur’s Chalet is a prize offering indeed. A unique, traditionally built chalet-style alpine establishment, it represents a rare opportunity to own the entire business, land and building – a unique enterprise in a peaceful natural setting. Banked between the native beech forests of the mountain sides and bordering the river, this 1618 square metres of land is the largest freehold title available in Arthur’s Pass National Park, the highest and most spectacular of all our national parks. Many families, backpackers, honeymooners and hikers alike have warmed their toes around the open fires of the welcoming lounge and restaurant, or in the sports bar with big screen TV and pool table. Arthur’s Chalet was purpose built in the early sixties by Swiss ski instructor Hans Bohny. Over time the hotel has been expanded and now offers plentiful accommodation with options for up to 32 guests – offering a variety of queen bed rooms, bunk beds, ensuites and family friendly rooms plus on-site facilities for owners and staff. In-house hospitality comprises a generous and fully functional commercial kitchen to support the hotel restaurant. Further potential abounds – already your target market is guaranteed with travellers being attracted to the area for the local DOC walkways of which there are approximately 28 walks and tramps of varying length, ranging from relatively easy to challenging. A popular ‘unwinding’ walk from the chalet is the one-hour return to Devil’s Punchbowl Falls, accessible at any time of year. For all our snow-covered mountains, New Zealand has few alpine villages where you can actually stay and experience the ‘winter wonderland’ with the knowledge that a warming fire and friendly hospitality is right there waiting for you. Arthur’s Pass village is one of those rare places and Arthur’s Chalet its welcoming heart. The village further entices those seeking the various ski fields including the Temple Basin Ski Area, voted the alps’ number one snowboarding area. Tranz Alpine tourists are regulars taking in the scenic splendour plus there is a growing market of alpine sports events passing through (including Coast-toCoast and the Alpine Climb). Arthur’s Pass is of course the gateway to the West Coast with many a traveller choosing it as the perfect stop over point to rest and relax. Add to this the prospect of offering accommodation during the week to contractors with new road and tunnel work proposed for development in the next few years. The time has come for the present owners to hand over the keys and settle into retirement, leaving behind them the solid foundations of a boutique hotel that is well equipped to cater to guests across the market. This is a rare and unique opportunity to own this slice of paradise, in a destination that presents unlimited possibilities.