61 Queenstown

QUEENSTOWN

You never disappoint

A TRIP TO QUEENSTOWN should be a must on any person’s agenda.

It doesn’t matter what age you are or what you are looking for in a trip away, this magical place has something for everybody.

When I think of Queenstown, I think skiing, snowboarding and bungy jumping, however, on this occasion I wanted to see what more the region had on offer.

I booked an appointment with the ladies at Cove Travel in Sanctuary Cove and asked them for guidance.

I mentioned that the trip involved our teenage daughter and that while both her and my partner wanted to go skiing, we also wanted to explore a bit more as well.

Our itinerary filled up so fast, with tours to a winery, drives to go clay shooting, fine dining within walking distance from the hotel and day trips to Arrowtown and Wanaka.

A highlight for me was our visit to Arrowtown, one of the oldest historical towns in the South Island about a 45-minute drive out of Queenstown.

Here we discovered the famous Remarkables Lollie Shop, some beautiful old pubs and fine dining restaurants and an eclectic retail strip full of oldworld charm.

We chose to stay at Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa, a 5-star property conveniently located in the middle of town.

The hotel is within walking distance of cafes, restaurants, bars, designer stores and the local retail precinct but what I love most about the Sofitel are the staff and the management.

They know where to go and always book things in advance, so we don’t miss out.

The rooms are beautiful with enough space for a teenager to sleep on the roll-out bed.

This time we were lucky enough to be upgraded to the Penthouse suite – Room No: 10 – which, in my opinion, is one of the most spectacular rooms I have ever been lucky enough to stay in.

While my daughter and partner enjoyed organised ski trips at The Remarkables and Coronet Peak, I booked into the So Spa at the hotel for a couple of days of treatments to relax and unwind.

On another day to myself, I was told about an exclusive little Onsen 15 minutes away from the city.

What an experience … looking out across the Shotover River to the mountains, all while relaxing in the Onsen pools with champagne and snacks.

It’s funny that I had only thought of Queenstown as a winter destination, however, there is so much on offer all year round … this is a place where adrenaline lives and where you can also find your inner peace.

Sofitel Queenstown

Conveniently located in the heart of New Zealand’s premier alpine resort, Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa provides a luxurious retreat in which to unwind after an action-packed day. The hotel’s decadent dining options have been designed to enhance your culinary experience. Find a delightful Parisian atmosphere at Left Bank Bistro, enjoy a memorable meal at the acclaimed Jervois Steakhouse or visit 1789 Lounge for a relaxed evening. Embracing the latest wellness trends, Sofitel Queenstown offers an exquisite collection of rejuvenating treatments at the award-winning So Spa or you can restore your energy levels at So Fit. sofitel-queenstown.com