New Zealand’s Most Expensive Hotel Room to Open in Queenstown

Queenstown is gearing up for a new class of ultra-rich tourists, as one of its hotels opens the most expensive suite in the country.

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The Penthouse is a part of a $6 million expansion of Eichardt’s Private Hotel, including a new 200-seat restaurant and two lavish hotel lakeview suites.

The hotel is owned by Melbourne-based Kiwi businessman Andrew Cox who also owns another Queenstown hotel, The Spire. Both won awards in the world luxury hotel awards last week.

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While a night at the Spire might cost $550, and a suite at Eichardt’s might cost up to $1700, The Penthouse will cost a budget-blowing $10,000 and it will be a definite step up in terms of quality, Cox promises.

“You get a 240 square metre hotel suite, with a kitchen, lounge, dining area, and 100sqm balcony looking out over the lake. You get bottomless Krug champagne, you get a chauffeur, you get a chef, you get a butler, so it’s pretty nice.”

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As well as 180-degree views over Lake Wakatipu, the Penthouse will also offer after-hours VIP shopping with brand partners in the town, a terrace spa, a private sauna and a Land Rover for that chauffeur. Cox says he has a fair idea of what hotels are charging in New Zealand and is confident it is the most expensive room. 

“Certainly there are a couple of lodges that are more expensive but this is a hotel suite of two rooms in the heart of – Queenstown’s not quite a city but a downtown metropolitan area.”Despite its price tag, demand for the waterfront suite is expected to be strong among North Americans, Europeans and Australians.

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Cox said the hotel was preparing itself for a new ultra high-net worth clientele. A small but discerning group of powerful visitors already frequented Queenstown, usually by private plane.