We looked beyond traditional hotel design to create something that feels authentically Queenstown. This isn’t about importing international standards, but crafting a place that emerges from its dramatic setting. The warmth of a mountain lodge meets contemporary comfort, with timber facades that echo surrounding forests and interiors capturing the region’s changing seasons.

Located minutes from Queenstown Airport, the 182-suite hotel anchors the growing Remarkables Park precinct. We designed from the inside out, ensuring every space maximises those incredible views of Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps.

Five storeys rise thoughtfully from the landscape, their vertical timber fins creating an urban forest effect that relates to both human scale and distant mountain vistas. Generous glazing connects guests to vibrant street life below, whilst integrated planters and seating extend the hotel’s warmth onto Market Street’s pedestrian thoroughfare.

The building’s dual-structure design navigates complex seismic requirements through a 500mm gap that joins two volumes seamlessly. Steel frame construction supports comflor slabs, whilst sustainability systems including IHG’s Green Engage program ensure environmental responsibility matches guest comfort.

Working with Heritage Carpets, we created bespoke rugs inspired by Queenstown’s four seasons, whilst local contractor Naylor Love ensured construction expertise stayed within the region. Every material choice reinforces the hotel’s connection to place.

The result transforms Remarkables Park into a true gateway for South Island exploration, elevating tourist accommodation whilst contributing meaningfully to the community’s growth.