Rosewood Matakauri

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Look, I’ve stayed at plenty of fancy places around Queenstown, but Rosewood Matakauri is honestly in a league of its own. The drive out to Glenorchy Road is actually part of the experience – you’re heading away from the tourist chaos in town, and suddenly you’re pulling up to this ultra-modern lodge that looks like it was designed by someone who really gets what luxury should feel like in New Zealand. The setting is just ridiculous (in the best way) – Lake Wakatipu stretching out in front of you with the Remarkables doing their whole dramatic mountain thing in the background.

What really gets me about this place is how they’ve nailed the balance between fancy and relaxed. You know how some five-star places make you feel like you can’t breathe? This isn’t that. The staff actually remembers your name after day one, and the suites – well, I mean, calling them suites feels almost inadequate. Floor-to-ceiling windows everywhere, and those outdoor decks with the infinity-edge hot tubs? Pure genius, especially if you time it right for sunset. I’ll be honest, the rates aren’t for the faint of heart, but when you’re soaking in your private hot tub watching the light change on the mountains, it sort of makes sense. The spa is worth mentioning too – they use local ingredients in their treatments, and after a day of hiking or skiing, their deep tissue massage basically saved my life.

Here’s the thing though – location matters here more than most places. You’re about 15 minutes from Queenstown proper, which means you miss out on stumbling back from Cowlane or Fishbone Bar after a few too many drinks. But honestly? That’s kind of the point. You come here to disconnect from all that madness. The helicopter pad on-site gives you a clue about their clientele – this is where people come when they want to experience Queenstown’s outdoor adventures but sleep somewhere genuinely special. The restaurant sources everything locally (their venison is incredible), and breakfast on the terrace overlooking the lake is one of those moments that makes you remember why you travel in the first place. If you’re doing New Zealand properly and want to splurge somewhere that’ll actually blow your mind, this is your spot. Just book well ahead – places like this don’t stay secret for long, and with only 28 suites, they fill up fast during peak season.