Sunshine Bay Queenstown, New Zealand
Renovated
2017
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Design Luxe LocalOutside the door
Hillside alpine lair
Perched on the hillside above Sunshine Bay, guests gather around lodge fireplaces for evening canapes and Central Otago wines.
“Each of the airy, stand-alone, stone and silver beechwood villas is an oasis of luxurious privacy, with under floor heating, super-king beds…”
What it’s good at
Notable
Dedicated town transfers, made-to-order villa breakfasts, and evening canapés served by the fire.
Listed
Hillside villas built from regional stone, looking across Lake Wakatipu toward The Remarkables.
What they say
One Michelin Key
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler.
It hardly gets more private than this: nine freestanding villas, practically self-contained residences, just the lack of a kitchen keeping them out of luxury-condo territory.
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Quiet bushland surrounds the property in Sunshine Bay, while Queenstown's lakefront restaurants and alpine adventures sit five minutes away.
The rooms
Standalone silver beechwood villas feature open-plan living areas, warming fireplaces, and private sun decks looking out across Lake Wakatipu.
In-villa baths
Sunken double spa tubs sit in bay windows that open fully to mountain breezes and Lake Wakatipu.
At the table
The resident chef prepares made-to-order breakfasts in the lodge dining room overlooking Lake Wakatipu and Cecil Peak.
How it began
Queenstown architect John Blair designed the lodge in 2004, crafting nine hillside pavilions from regional stone and silver beechwood.
Good to know
Stay here
Azur Lodge
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Queenstown
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.