Where one feels like you’ve walked into a big, comfortable, opulent lodge; the other will envelope you in its sleek and modern design. Yet each complements the other beautifully.

Two of the most anticipated hotel openings in New Zealand this year, the 178-room Hilton Queenstown and the 98-room Kawarau Hotel, managed by Hilton, can be found in the Kawarau Village retail and dining precinct within the international resort town.

They are the only hotels in Queenstown ideally positioned directly on the shores of Lake Wakatipu to deliver glorious views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Both hotel exteriors also echo the same architectural styles of the world’s leading alpine resorts, and their interiors are bold and tactile.

There’s a strong sustainable focus in each too. The hotels draw water from Lake Wakatipu for their heating and cooling systems. “That water is used both hot and cold and then it’s cooled and goes back into the lake to protect the environment,” says general manager of the new lakeside Kawarau Village resort complex Marlene Poynder.

In line with Hilton’s global standards, utilities, gas and power are a huge focus as they’re such expensive commodities. “We’re looking to make savings wherever we can,” says Poynder.

Any water usage in the hotels is tracked and reduced wherever possible. There’s also a strong focus on local produce and organic foods.

But that’s where the similarities end.

The rooms in the more modern, sleek and funky Kawarau Hotel have cooking facilities, so this hotel caters to a slightly different market such as families and young people travelling “that perhaps want to save a little bit of money and cook their own breakfasts and meals,” Poynder says.

Meanwhile richly coloured furnishings and textured wall finishes, local schist stone fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, separate lounge areas, private balconies and decks and striking New Zealand art including paintings, photography, sculptures and basket weaving distinguishes the Hilton Queenstown from neighbour.

The Hilton Queenstown also boasts 29 different room types, 18 one bedroom suites, and the biggest spa in town with ten treatment rooms including a VIP room and two couple rooms.

There are also 12 relaxation rooms featuring hot tubs on private lakefront decks that guests can also book to stay in. “So you can sit in your hot tub, even on a very chilly night and feel very warm looking across Lake Wakatipu. It’s very beautiful,” says Poynder.

The Hilton Queenstown also has two kitchens, one for the restaurant and one for conference and in-room dining as well as four dining options. You’ll find its signature restaurant the Wakatipu Grill overlooking the lake and helmed by renowned chef Peter Thornley, and featuring the drama of an open kitchen and rotisserie with two magnificent circular fireplaces and an outdoor fire pit. 

Then there’s the Cru Wine Bar and Lounge, which is ideal for relaxing after skiing or during an intimate evening. Beyond the hotel, Kawarau Village boasts restaurants, cafes, bars and specialty stores at your doorstep and this is where you’ll find the hotel’s other two dining options: The Lake Counter (a specialty grocer, cafe and deli) and Stacks Pub.

“Some of our Asian visitors like to try the local food so in our gourmet deli, we have portioned produce and product from the local Central Otago region that people can try as well,” Poynder says.

Most of the furniture for the 178 guest rooms has been sourced from New Zealand manufacturers, thanks to a collaborative effort by Space Procurement, which specialises in providing furniture, fixtures and equipment for the hotel, hospitality and commercial sectors and the hotel’s interior designer, Stewart Harris of Martin Hughes Architecture Interiors in Auckland.

The fit-out process was managed entirely by Space Procurement’s team on the ground, from the timed delivery and installation of fixtures to the removal and proper disposal and recycling of rubbish.

Not an easy task given the hotel has a total of 4,962 guest room items including 356 bedside tables, 178 beds and bed heads, 178 minibar fridges, 711 pieces of artwork, 194 lounge chairs, 243 televisions, 178 floor lamps, 178 desk lamps and 438 pieces of outdoor furniture.

Working with the five-star restaurant’s operator, Space Procurement also sourced and supplied tabletop crockery, cutlery and glassware, serving and display items, and glassware for the wine cellar.

Queenstown is known for its majestic alpine setting. A centre for adventure tourism, it boasts a vibrant nightlife and an exciting food and wine scene.

The resort town is also rapidly gaining popularity as a destination for luxury travellers and honeymooners. Four world-class golf courses and five ski fields are also in close proximity.

“Our properties’ incredible location in the Kawarau Village will add a new and exciting dimension to the South Island hotel offering. The irresistible style, sophistication and comfort of Hilton combined with the iconic beauty of Queenstown is unsurpassable,” says Poynder.

It’s a combination that we reckon is pretty hard to beat too.

Features of the Hilton Queenstown:

• → Gas fireplaces built of local schist stone in every room
• → Furnished rooms (44-52 sqm) including lake front relaxation rooms with private hot tubs on the decks
• → A three-level spa with 10 treatment rooms featuring signature eforea products
• → A gymnasium, steam room, sauna and indoor heated lap pool
• → Wakatipu Grill with executive chef Peter Thornley and an intimate bar called Cru Wine Bar and Lounge
• → Eight conference rooms that cater for up to 230 guests.

Features of the Kawarau Hotel:

• → Upscale, contemporary rooms with mountain or lake views sleeping up to two adults and two children
• → Fully fitted kitchenette with oven, microwave, fridge and freezer in each room
• → Full service hotel and onsite tour desk
• → Me + Mee Noodle Bar and Lobby Bar and Lounge
• → Access to the spa in Hilton Queenstown
• → A cinema for up to ten guests
• → A conference and meeting room for up to 150 guests