New Zealand Prime Minister and Tourism Minister, the Rt Hon John Key, officially opened two new upscale Hilton Worldwide hotels in Queenstown today. Hilton Queenstown and Kawarau Hotel managed by Hilton are located inHilton Worldwide’s Kawarau Village lakeside retail and dining precinct.
The openings of the 178-room Hilton Queenstown and 98-room Kawarau Hotel managed by Hilton, represent the global brand’s entry into the international year-round resort town and expand Hilton Worldwide’s portfolio in New Zealand to four hotels.
Respected Maori elder and Chairman of the Ngai Tahu Maori Trust Board and leading academic Sir Tipene O’Regan, formally welcomed the Prime Minister and Tourism Minister, John Key, in a traditional Maori greeting on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
Tourism New Zealand chief executive Kevin Bowler welcomed the arrival of the Hiltonbrand to Queenstown and the South Island. “The opening of the Hilton Queenstown and the Kawarau Hotel are among the most anticipated hotel openings in New Zealand this year and are important investments in the New Zealand tourism industry. In challenging times for South Island tourism, here we have a global tourism leader expressing an emphatic vote of confidence by opening not just one, but two hotels, and establishing a brilliant new village for visitors to enjoy at The Remarkables end of Lake Wakatipu.
“Hilton Worldwide will help us market New Zealand to more of the high yield domestic and international visitors we are targeting and bring jobs and local economic benefits. The openings are ideally timed to complement our increased marketing of the snow season in Australia and as we prepare to host the Rugby World Cup in nearby Dunedin, with many visitors opting to base themselves in Queenstown.”
“We identified Queenstown as a strategically significant location for Hilton Worldwide. This project represents a development of the highest quality and world-class design. In addition to our award winning properties in Auckland and Taupo, Queenstown is now an essential part of our growing network of hotels in New Zealand,” said Martin Rinck, President, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide, who flew from Hilton’s Singapore regional headquarters for the openings.
The features of the two hotels reflect much of the appeal Queenstown has to visitors from all over the world. An invigorating environment, with exceptionally designed interiors showcasing elemental New Zealand materials and inspiring views, luxurious indulgence, and many and varied fine food and wine experiences are part and parcel of a stay. The properties are the only North facing hotels in Queenstown that are alsopositioned directly on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. They deliver glorious views of the lake and landmark The Remarkables Mountain Range.
Art works by contemporary New Zealand artists throughout the Hilton Queenstown evoke the spirit of local culture. There are conference facilities for up to 230 guests at Hilton and 150 at Kawarau Hotel. Hilton is also opening its first eforea: spa and Queenstown’s largest spa within Hilton Queenstown. The three-level spa has 10 treatment rooms, a 25 metre heated indoor pool, gymnasium, spa and sauna.
Following the ribbon cutting, Mr. Key mingled with 100 guests representing the New Zealand tourism industry and media from New Zealand and Australia and dined at the Hilton Queenstown’s signature restaurant Wakatipu Grill. Helmed by renowned New Zealand Chef Peter Thornley, the Wakatipu Grill overlooks the lake and features a dramatic open kitchen and rotisserie, two magnificent circular stone fireplaces and an outdoor fire pit and presents a menu celebrating seasonallocal ingredients.
Destination Queenstown’s CEO, Tony Everitt, was also among the guests. “We’re very pleased to welcome the Hilton brand to Queenstown —it’s a great addition to our accommodation offering and complements the other hotel properties in town. To have such a significant international hotel opening here shows confidence in Queenstown as a highly desirable visitor destination and the Hilton’s brand reach will certainly add weight to the town’s international marketing exposure.”
General Manager Hilton Queenstown, Kawarau Hotel Managed by Hilton, and the KawarauVillage, Marlene Poynder, said, “Our properties’ incredible location in the Kawarau Village will add a new and exciting dimension to the South Island hotel offering. The irresistible style, sophistication and comfort of Hilton combined with the iconic beauty of Queenstown is unsurpassable.”
Kawarau Village is approximately 10 km (15 minutes’ drive) to Queenstown Town Centre, just over 2 km from Queenstown Airport, and approximately 10 km from The Remarkables Ski Area. Both hotels will run their own shuttle services by water and road into Queenstown centre.
