New Zealand. Australia’s little cousin to the east. What’s the appeal? We recently discovered it after our stay at the elegant and re-imagined Sofitel Queenstown.
Queenstown is a visually beautiful resort town situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu on New Zealand’s South Island. The city and its natural surrounds are a mecca for adrenaline junkies year round with beautiful snow making it one of the best ski spots this side of the World.
Following a scenic 2 hour something flight from Sydney, we were collected and whisked away in a hotel supplied luxury transfer. Within 10 minutes we arrived at our destination. The Sofitel Queenstown. One of the few hotels right in the centre of Queenstown and, in our view, the leading traditional luxury property in the region.
We were greeted at the door and escorted directly to our room - Penthouse No.10 - with an in-room check-in. I am unsure whether in-room check-in is standard at the property, but it is one of the little benefits that kicks any stay off on a great note.
But what is Penthouse No.10? It’s not the 10th penthouse. The property only has 2 penthouse type rooms. The other, being the junior penthouse so to speak, is Penthouse No.5. While it’s on the top level, that’s only level 6 and not level 10. My best guess at solving the riddle of the name is that it is a 10 out of 10 room.
General Manager Jeremy Samuels explained that the room was recently renovated to make it a true catered penthouse. And the team behind it did an incredible job. Without exaggeration, Penthouse No 10 at the Sofitel Queenstown is one of, if not, the best designed and appointed rooms in the classical luxury style we have stayed in.
The penthouse in its single bedroom layout is 225sqm (or 2,422sqft). It features a perfectly appointed and spacious dining and lounge room with mountain views, opening up onto balcony some 25metres in length. From the balcony you can enjoy unihibi
ted views through Queenstown, the nearby mountains, or the iconic Lake Wakatipu. But if you want to take the experience to the next level, you would notice the full sized hot tub/jacuzzi. We noticed it and had a hard time leaving.
For the cold nights, we made the cinema room our sanctuary. For ambience, it featured a beautiful gas fireplace. For entertainment, the impressive flat screen had Netflix (with a Sofitel Queenstown account), an Xbox Live and AppleTV. But there was more on offer with a sound system fitte throughout, controllable via provided iPads.
The master bathroom was decked out floor to ceiling in elegant stone, with a stylish freestanding bathtub, large double shower, twin vanities for him and her, and bathroom amenities by Parisian fashion house Hermes.
What we love
Lake and Mountain Views.
Centre of Queenstown.
Huge Penthouse
Balcony with 6 seater Jacuzzi.
Breakfasts at Left Bank Cafe