Check in to Eichardt’s Private Hotel

Best for

Luxury in the centre of town.

The Hotel

For a hotel that occupies prime waterfront real estate in the busiest part of town, Eichardt’s Private Hotel manages to live up to its name. Even the rooms that face Lake Wakatipu – and take advantage of this incredible view with huge sliding glass doors – are whisper quiet, save for the occasional faint hum of the KJ jet boats. A Queenstown stalwart since 1867, the hotel focuses on boutique, personalised stays accompanied by great food in the downstairs The Grille restaurant and Eichardt’s Bar.

The Location

On the Lake Wakatipu waterfront. It takes seconds to walk to Queenstown’s best restaurants and about 20 minutes to get to the airport.

The Rooms

There are only 12 (unmarked) rooms throughout the hotel, including seven lake or mountain view suites, a penthouse suite, three-bedroom villa The Residence (located offsite) and four lakefront apartments a short walk away from the main hotel. Room No. 10, a Lake View Suite, is flooded with natural light thanks to the trapezium-shaped windows. The separate lounge area features a cosy fireplace and workspace; the bedroom is in a raised alcove and can be separated by the heavy velour curtains, though why draw them when you could wake up to pink-laced clouds at sunrise? The minibar space features a much-appreciated separate sink and is well-stocked with free snacks and soft drinks (the local Cargo Brewery beer and Bolly will incur a fee). Open the French doors to the large marble bathroom, which features a double sink and a bathtub in a nook to the right.

Food and drink

Eichardt’s Bar has been serving up drinks since 1867 and now also offers tapas and cocktails, though guests can enjoy breakfast in the cosy booths throughout the morning. Opposite is The Grille, a dark-wood space with lakefront views that specialises in serious serves of steak and chips and a creamy seafood chowder with what seems like endless morsels of mussels, scallops and other sea creatures.

Image: The Grille

For business travellers

There are no boardrooms here but the wi-fi is free, each room has a desk and documents can be emailed to the concierge for printing.

For wellness travellers

There’s no gym or spa on site but complimentary passes to Queenstown Gym, a five-minute walk away on Shotover Street, are available at reception (open between 6am and 9pm weekdays, from 8.30am until 7pm on Saturdays and Sunday 10am to 7pm). In-suite massages can be booked through the hotel.

The fab factor

Canapes and drinks, including the Mt Edward Eichardt’s Bar Pinot Noir, are served for an hour at 5.30pm in The Parlour. Complimentary sherry, whiskey and brandy are always available in the room for nightcaps, as are a range of cigars for a fee.

SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Ski Season Guide to Queenstown