‘Ultra-luxury' hotel ‘something truly different'
It is quite the transformation.
An "ultra-luxury" Queenstown hotel is opening on a lakefront, edge-of-the-CBD site that was formerly home to the humble Bumbles backpackers.
The Brisbane-based developer of New Zealand's first ROKI Collection hotel is announcing today it will be opening for guests and casual diners on September 1.
General manager Stephen McAteer said the $70 million hotel included 15 suites ranging from one- to four-bedders and a "Grand ROKI" seven-bedder would be available too.
Rates range from $1800 to $32,000 a night, but Mr McAteer said the hotel was also offering locals "celebration rates" over its first few months.
He believed it was bringing "something truly different to New Zealand — an urban retreat that combines the tranquillity of a lodge with the energy of a hotel in stunning Queenstown".
"We're giving guests the expansiveness of a countryside lodge in this urban environment."
"Roki" meant "tranquil" in te reo Māori and "every aspect has been thoughtfully designed to be a space to pause and breathe, a sanctuary of calm" — the concept having been carried through by Auckland-based Sumich Chaplin Architects and leading interior designer Virginia Fisher.
Mr McAteer said what would make the hotel "ultra-luxury" would be the quality of the staff and the service it delivered.
"We've got a very high staff-to-guest ratio, our capacity is only 46 and we're running one-to-one on open, and we anticipate that growing to about 60-plus over summer."
The main third floor would house two restaurants that would also be open to the public — seafood-inspired The Terrace, overlooking the lake, and "signature" modern fine dining restaurant Essence.
Mr McAteer said what was exciting was that "director of culinary" Paul Froggatt — Luxury Lodges of NZ Chef of the Year 2023-24 — had only cheffed in remote lodges, but would now show off his skills to all.
The public could also visit The Library Bar.
Open just for guests would be the hotel's "hidden sanctuary within the sanctuary", an elaborate wellness offering called "ROKI Pure".
"We've got a lap pool, jacuzzi, ice bath, saunas — we will meet our guests on whatever stage of the wellness journey they're on."
The hotel was even employing a "sleep concierge".
"What better opportunity for these guests flying into a different time zone, different temperature, a different firmness of bed and pillows to have a sleep concierge come to their suite and offer the latest in health technology, allowing them to sleep and be restful and awaken rejuvenated?"
Mr McAteer said the hotel was also taking sustainability and conservation seriously, whether with "keep cups" and no single-use plastic water bottles, or by partnering with predator control group Southern Lakes Sanctuary and the Kea Conservation Trust — the hotel's logo is the kea.
The hotel would donate an amount each month to head-of-the-lake conservation work and also offer guests a hands-on experience if they were keen.
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