There are plenty of hotels in Queenstown, but the newly opened Avani is trying to do things a little differently.
The hotel opened in September as Avani’s first Queenstown property and its New Zealand flagship, joining Avani Auckland Metropolis Residences as the brand’s second New Zealand property.
The former Oaks Shores Resort has been transformed from serviced apartments into a full-service hotel, with a focus on creating a more social, lifestyle-oriented experience.
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I spent three nights there to see what it was actually like, and one thing that quickly became clear is that Avani isn’t trying to make every hotel feel the same.
Instead, the brand says its properties are designed around what people actually do in each destination.
In Queenstown, that means skiing, hiking, eating, drinking, relaxing and spending plenty of time outdoors.
The room
My room was spacious, comfortable and had what you’d probably hope for when staying in Queenstown, a spectacular view of Lake Wakatipu and the mountains.
I found myself sitting by the window more than expected, because the rooms have an understated alpine feel rather than going all-in on the traditional chalet aesthetic.
There are also larger apartment-style options with kitchens and more space, which could be useful for longer stays or families.
And for those willing to spend a little more, some rooms come with their own private spa.
Yes, you can sit in your own hot tub while looking out at the mountains — which feels like a very Queenstown thing to do.
Wellness
Wellness is another major focus, and the hotel has an AvaniSpa offering massages and treatments, as well as a gym and sauna.
I had a massage during my stay and it was genuinely one of the highlights.
After a day exploring Queenstown, having somewhere to properly switch off feels like a luxury worth having, offering private spas attached to some of the higher-end rooms to take the idea even further.
Queenstown holidays can be surprisingly active, whether you’re skiing, hiking or simply spending the day walking around town, meaning having somewhere to recover afterwards is useful.
There are also social spaces, including a fireplace area where guests can settle in after a day outside, plus a happy-hour drinks cart where a bartender can come to your room.
Food and downtime
The hotel’s restaurant, Six to Midnight, operates throughout the day, moving from breakfast and lunch through to high tea, après-ski gatherings and dinner.
The menu focuses on local and seasonal produce while drawing inspiration from cuisines around the world — and the food was one of the things I was most impressed by.
Rather than simply putting something delicious on a plate, the dishes have an element of discovery to them.
You take a bite and start trying to work out what you’re tasting, before another flavour comes through, which makes dinner feel like an experience rather than simply something you have to do because it’s dinner time.
The hotel also has a reading nook stocked with books for guests, creating a quieter space away from the busier areas.
For anyone who loves reading, it’s a clever little addition, and arguably a much easier conversation starter than trying to make awkward small talk at a hotel bar.
Location
Avani is also well placed as a base for exploring the region.
Queenstown’s centre is a short drive away, making it easy to head into town, visit the Skyline Gondola or explore the restaurants and bars before returning to the hotel.
Nearby, Arrowtown offers a completely different experience, with its historic gold-mining streets, cafés, restaurants and shops.
There’s also Ayrburn, a food and wine precinct where you can spend an afternoon moving between different venues. I visited The Woolshed, which has its own in-house butcher, and Billy’s, which serves contemporary Chinese food.
I even joined members of the Avani team to plant trees in an area that had previously been damaged by road construction and invasive tree species.
It was a simple activity, but it gave me a better understanding of the hotel’s focus on its surrounding environment, and it turned out to be one of the more memorable parts of the trip.
Final thoughts
After three nights at Avani Queenstown, I think the hotel’s biggest strength is that it understands what people are actually coming to Queenstown to do.
It’s not trying to convince you to spend your entire holiday inside the hotel. Instead, it gives you a comfortable base to return to after a day skiing, hiking, eating or exploring.
You can get a massage, jump in the sauna, have a drink brought to your room, sit down with a book or have a proper meal without leaving the building.
Or you can simply sit by the window and take in the scenery. And that’s probably what I liked most about it.
The hotel doesn’t feel like it’s competing with Queenstown. It feels like it’s trying to make your time there a little easier, and a little more enjoyable.
To book a stay at Avani, head to the website here.
