A St. Regis will be coming to what’s possibly one of my favorite places in the world, a market that could also use more good hotel options.
In this post:
The St. Regis brand will make its new Zealand debut
Plans have been announced for the St. Regis Queenstown, with the newly built property expected to open in late 2027. The 145-key hotel will be located in central Queenstown, with views of The Remarkables mountain range, as well as Lake Wakatipu.
The hotel will feature the signature St. Regis Bar, The Drawing Room, and an all-day dining venue, which hasn’t yet been announced. Then there will be a full service spa and wellness area, including a 24/7 gym. As is standard for the brand, butler service will also be offered.
Here’s what Richard Crawford, Marriott’s VP of Hotel Development of Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific, had to say:
“We’re thrilled to soon establish the iconic St Regis brand in such an exceptional destination. Founded on New York’s 5th Avenue more than 120 years ago, St Regis is a globally revered name in luxury that is sought after by discerning travellers worldwide.”
“Queenstown attracts more than two million visitors annually, making it ideal for a world-class luxury hotel. “The St Regis Queenstown is set to be undeniably the destination’s finest hotel offering and will further elevate Queenstown’s status as a must-visit destination.”
Beyond the above, details about the hotel remain limited as of now.
What an exciting addition to the St. Regis portfolio!
New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and Queenstown is among my favorite parts of the country. I still remember when I traveled there for the first time with my mom, when I was in high school — ah, the days of roundtrip business class to New Zealand costing 90,000 United MileagePlus miles, and flying Air New Zealand’s 747 in the nose!
Anyway, Queenstown’s landscape is just gorgeous, and it’s definitely not a place you visit for the hotel market. The Carlin Hotel and Eichardt’s Private Hotel are both small boutique properties in town that are well regarded, and there’s also the Rosewood Matakauri, a great luxury lodge that’s outside the city. The town then has a Sofitel. But other than that, luxury options are severely limited, and this is a lovely addition.
I look forward to checking out the St. Regis the next time I visit New Zealand. Another point that’s pretty remarkable here is that this is the first St. Regis branded property in all of Australia or New Zealand.
Bottom line
The St. Regis brand will be making its debut in the Australia and New Zealand region with the opening of a hotel in Queenstown in late 2027. The 145-key property will be located in town, and will probably be the best new international luxury property in town. This is an awesome addition to the market, and I look forward to learning more.
What do you make of plans for the St. Regis Queenstown?
Definitely needed... Have stayed at the Sofitel and a big disappointment in terms of room outlook (claims to have views of the mountains, actually looks onto the street and the hotels garbage bins, charges a premium for that experience).
Great. Just what Queenstown needs, more expensive accommodation.
We stayed at the Hilton just outside town two weeks ago. Nice location but easily the worst breakfast of any of the ten hotels on our trip. So basic and no changes from day to day.
Many of the hotels in the Queenstown core look very old and tired from the outside. Several new builds in the Frankton area.
I had a great stay at the Hilton Queenstown last year. I know it’s not “luxury,” but I like how it’s more secluded, the standard room is a nice size, and the service was pretty good. I would recommend it.
I heartily endorse the continued development of Queenstown, because it keeps the scum away from Wānaka.
Meh… rendering of st Regis building looks more like a Marriott inn or extended stay.
Queenstown (rightly) has very strict rules on building height, size and style. The building is in keeping with other properties in that area.
Ah the rich people and their luxurious and overpriced resorts.
They will soon join places like Vail or Aspen as they price out Queenstown to the masses.
Check out Blanket Bay as well, easily a top 10, maybe top 5, hotel for me. Unbelievable property, views, food, and service. Great rooms... truly a unique stay and tons to do nearby. Worth the short and beautiful drive. Idyllic.
Ben, do you genuinely think St. Regis is real luxury, or a chain of mostly “luxury factories”?
TBH I've now had the chance to stay at second hotels in every location where I've stayed at a St. Regis and it appears to me that they are luxury factories with a think veneer of old world charm.
Having said that, I'd welcome your thoughts.
For the benefit of the readership… how do you define luxury factories and where is the line drawn between them and real luxury?
If what you mean is the cookie cutter nature of them, then yeah… I guess…
Or is it something else?
The area around Queenstown is wonderful but Queenstown itself is an awful tourist trap.
Also the flight into Queenstown is amazing going into the valley between the mountains.
Bonvoy!
As in, another place to get Bonvoyed.
Love Queenstown. Magical place. Day-trips to nearby wine regions, Milford Sound, Tititea/Mt. Aspiring, Aoraki/Mt. Cook national parks. Some of the best lamb in the world, too. Having more luxury options there is a good thing. I think it would be the first St. Regis in NZ, and other than Bora Bora, there really aren't many in Oceania. Years ago, there was talk of a new St. Regis in Australia's Gold Coast, too; any word on that?
The Hotel St. Moritz which is just outside the downtown core is also another great property, and is in the MGallery Collection in Accor. While not quite 5-star, it’s at least 4:5 in my eyes with great rooms and amenities, and absolutely stunning views of the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu. Some of the warmest service I’ve ever received anywhere, too. Prices are generally $150-$200 less than the Sofitel downtown.
I completely agree. It's a hike of only a few minutes from the CBD (including up that slope that seems a bit more annoying than it looks), but it's a wonderful hotel - and is just outside the main tourist zone which I feel makes it pretty much perfectly located.
Close location to downtown at Brecon St & Man St in a residential neighborhood, but up the hill - Brecon St connection is not a road, but a double set of stairs - with 60 steps. So everything you want to go someone you will be walking up and down a 60 step staircase.
Google maps - Man and Brecon and view Brecon St from downtown.
Unless you want to walk to the Skyline gondola, in which case the location saves you walking up those 60 stairs!
Quite a good location - just on the edge of the central area, meaning a 5-10 minute walk to anywwhere, given how tiny central Queenstown is. But not right in the middle with all the backpacker hostels.
Did you forget Eichardt's? Headed there later this month. It has 8 rooms and can be booked with Hilton points or FNCs.
@ PJS678 -- Oversight on my part. Thanks, just added mention of that to the post.