Who's Going
Gwyneth Paltrow, Jacques Grange, Sydney Weekenders
Reason to Stay
Small Hotel, All-inclusive Option, Downtown Location
Hotel Type
Private Hotel
Established as an upscale lodge during the 1860's gold rush, Eichardt's Private Hotel survived much of the 20th Century in great disrepair until being refurbished by hotelier Victoria Shaw and turned into Queenstown's preeminent private hotel. Don't let the lodge's charming exterior and approachable facade on the shores of Lake Wakatipu fool you, this is a decadent 5-star retreat specializing in attentive service and stylish apartment-style accommodations in one of the world's most serene mountain environments. <br /><br />Visitors from the US and Europe arrive on harrowing flights into the Queenstown basin where a private car chauffeurs guests between the single runway airport and downtown lodge. A glassy atrium-like edifice attached to the historic building in lined in black-and-white marble leading to a central reception area connecting the front desk and intimate House Bar. House Bar is a public restaurant with small bar serving exquisite gourmet lunches and nibbles throughout the day and evening. Upstairs is a separate Parlour Room for morning breakfast and afternoon cocktails where guests mingle and exchange travel stories of the day. <br /><br />Priced between $1000 and $1400 per night, the hotel attracts a mostly older crop of Europeans and Americans that tend more towards the sedate than adrenaline-fueled expeditions typical of the region. With no pool or spa to speak of, massage services and swimming should be planned through the hotel in advance.
The Room
Guests ascend an airy staircase with ebonized banister with four vintage clocks decoratively ticking from above. Five distinctively stylish guest apartments are arranged along white-paneled hallways offering a mix of modern and antique furnishings assembled by New Zealand’s top-decorator Virginia Fisher. The suites feature a two-room design with large living areas with three-seat sofas and fireplace under gabled ceiling overlooking lakefront or mountain views. Complimentary mini bars are stocked with specialty products like local wines, cheese and homemade cookies for midnight snacking. Bedrooms are filled with king-size beds topped with fur comforters and pillows for late-day lounging and afternoon naps. Bathrooms feature wood paneled backsplash with double basin sins, soaking tubs and heated floors. Morning breakfast can be enjoyed within guest room or in the communal Parlour located down the hall, but beware that the crowd is sometimes not as lively as you would wish for 8am.
Preferred Room
Suite
Special Features
Romantic location, All-suite hotel, Designer Hotel
Amenities
All-inclusive restaurant, All-inclusive Bar, Lounge, Lakeside Location
