ESCAPE
// EICHARDT’S HOTEL
O
n the shores of Lake Wakatipu
sits Queenstown’s iconic
Eichardt’s Hotel, a heritage-
listed building with an adjacent
modern appendage, making it one of
the world’s most sought-after luxury
design hotels.
While searching for pastoral lands in the
1800s, William Gilbert Rees settled into the
site with a homestead and corresponding
farm buildings. When gold was found in the
nearby Shotover River, William’s property
became the centre of a gold rush and the main
centre of business quickly sprung up adjacent
to the homestead. Seizing the opportunity,
William redeveloped his home and woolshed
as a hotel, initially called the Queens Arm,
then later in 1869, when business partner
Albert Eichardt became sole proprietor, the
hotel was renamed Eichardt’s.
Fast forward more than a century and
Eichardt’s Hotel has undergone a complete
transformation, with a fi rm focus on
luxury, elegance and heritage. After the site
sat unoccupied for almost half a century,current owners Andrew and Sarah Cox
enlisted architect Michael Wyatt to create
a world-class luxury facility and retail
precinct, with a modern heritage and a
strong connection to the past.
In 2002, the Coxs embarked on the new
concept which would take more than 10
years to complete, and includes a new
appendage in striking contemporary
grooved stonework and trapezoid windows.
The cantilevered design is juxtaposed
against the original historic hotel structure,
and the fl at-box aesthetic pays homage to
the neighbouring buildings. The exterior
cladding is a combination of Corten steel,
Oamaru stone, as well as Colorsteel FlaxPod
on the penthouse facade.
Opening its doors in October 2016, the
new luxury enclave instantly became
an iconic local landmark, set on one of
central Queenstown’s most signifi cant sites
overlooking The Remarkables. The precinct
combines retail, hospitality and offi ce space
as well as an art gallery, which links to the
hotel on the ground and second fl oors.WORDS //TINA STEPHENTHE HOTEL OFFERS
A RESPITE FROM THE
HUSTLE AND BUSTLE
OF QUEENSTOWN,
WITH IMMEDIATE
ACCESS TO THE
AMENITIES OF THE CITY
AND THE HARBOUR
ABOVE Queenstown’s iconic steamship TSS
Earnslaw is a daily sight within the ever-changing
vista of Lake Wakatipu
OPPOSITE LEFT Crackling fi res are an essential
element of the hotel’s ambience during winter
OPPOSITE RIGHT The hotel houses several
eateries, catering for guests throughout the day
OPPOSITE BOTTOM Old meets new with fl oor-
to-ceiling glazing and exposed steel beams,
off set by traditional tiling and furniture