Suite of the Week: Owner’s Cottage at Matakauri Lodge
That Lord of the Rings scenery without those pesky orcs.
Where is it? Huddled on the banks of pristine Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown, New Zealand with views of far off snow-topped peaks – and a short ride away from local nightlife.
The Hotel: While the Matakauri Lodge may sound rustic, the infrastructure is breathtakingly modern. Built in 2000, the Lodge reopened in 2010 after an extensive retrofit by famed New Zealand designer, Virginia Fisher. While the architecture itself is noteworthy, many of the buildings work primarily to frame the surrounding lake and accurately named Remarkable Mountain Range. Amenities include full spa, luxury fitness center and infinity pools, and guests may choose to dine daily in the vaulted central dining room or enjoy a private meal on a patio or courtyard of their choice.
The Suite: Recently finished at a final cost of over $5 million, the Owner’s Cottage is the proverbial “front row seat” of the lodge, with sweeping, unhindered views of the mountains from almost anywhere in the house, including the outdoor infinity pool. Four grand bedrooms sleep up to eight, and numerous fireplaces and bars provide options for more public hangouts.
The Selling Point: Floor-to-ceiling windows in every room make escaping New Zealand’s grandeur pretty much impossible.
By The Numbers: 5000 square feet; 4 bedrooms; 4 private balconies; 1 private Jacuzzi
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