One destination that has year round appeal and absolutely spectacular at anytime of the year is Queenstown – a destination that offers action packed fun that delegates will remember for years to come. Recently our team had the opportunity to experience Queenstown from the eyes of a delegate in the search for the ultimate agenda.
It was be remiss of us not to share our accommodation, conference and adventure treasures. Here is our insight into Queenstown, the destination that really does have something for everyone.
In Spring (September-November) the weather is changeable, with temperatures ranging from 9-15 degrees celsius. Summer (December-February) tends to be hot and dry, from 19-29 degrees celsius. Autumn (March-May) brings warm, balmy days, 10-22 degrees celsius. Winter (June-August) is mostly crisp and clear, with snow, 3-10 degrees celsius.
CONFERENCING
There really is a Hotel for every size group in Queenstown, from the intimate Executive team of 10 right through to 300 delegates for an annual conference. Skiing, hiking and other adventure activities are all nearby, while award-winning vineyards for an afternoon of wine tasting, lakeside dining, world-class golf courses and spectacular helicopter flights help to build an exciting conference agenda filled with activity choices for your conference delegates and their spouses.
Your delegates will be able to fly directly to Queenstown International Airport from Australia or arrive on a domestic flight from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Sofitel
Here you will discover award-winning Queenstown 5-star luxury hotel that is located right in the heart of the city just steps from Lake Wakatipu and the village district. Parisian panache is at the heart of this Hotel’s experience. Your delegates will experience lavish accommodation, fine dining and relaxing spa elegance.
Hotel facilities include 82 luxury accommodation rooms, their signature restaurant Jervois Steak House and Left Bank Café – part French kitchen, part tea room – open for breakfast, lunch and bistro-style dinner in charming Paris fashion.
The Boardroom at Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa accommodates up to 60 delegates in state-of-the-art conference rooms with multimedia and audio-visual technology. The Ambassador Room is the hotel’s largest conference room, accommodating 42 delegates in classroom style seating, 48 delegates in cabaret style seating or 80 delegates in a theatre auditorium layout.
The Cellar, located on Level 3 seats 16 guests in boardroom style seating or an end of day cocktail reception for 20 guests.
Sofitel Winter Special
Book your conference between 1 Sep – 16 Dec 2016 with accommodation rates from NZ$295* per room and enjoy the following benefits with our compliments: – One complimentary room (maximum of 2 rooms per group) – One upgrade to a Suite inclusive of all Luxury Club benefits – One hour cocktail function per group booking* – Unlimited Internet in accommodation & conference rooms *Terms & Conditions apply. The above benefits are subject to minimum of 10 rooms, availability at time of booking and applicable to new bookings only. Accommodation rate is for Superior Room.
The Rees Hotel Queenstown
The Lakefront luxury of The Rees Hotel Queenstown is a new and sophisticated five star hotel that uniquely blends Queenstown’s culture and heritage alongside modern infrastructure and technology .
The Rees Hotel’s host of accommodation options include 60 hotel rooms and 90 luxury 1-3 bedroom apartments all with private balconies to take advantage of the most spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu or The Remarkable mountains.
The Rees unique features include: Queenstown’s Best Chef in the True South fine dining restaurant, an extensive wine cellar with a comprehensive collection of Bordeaux wines alongside leading Central Otago wines, a gymnasium, observatory, library and private jetty.
The Hotel’s conference and meeting venues offer versatile, multi-use facilities, capable of supporting a range of requirements. The Rees Hotel Conference Room can accommodation 28 delegates in boardroom, 40 in classroom style or 70 in theatre style seating.
If you need to break your group into smaller meeting sessions, then the Executive Apartments provide the perfect flexibility, accommodating 16 delegates in a boardrooms style set up.
Heritage Queenstown Hotel
Ideally located to enjoy the awe-inspiring vistas over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, Heritage Queenstown offers 175 newly refurbished accommodation rooms, including 1 and 2 bedroom suites. The Hotel conveniently positioned only a short distance from the town centre, nestled amongst picturesque native bushland; creating the ambience of a European lodge.
The facilities include an indoor/outdoor heated pool, gymnasium, spa and sauna, Mackenzies Restaurant and Bar with open fires for the winter months and fresco dining on broad terraces in summer months.
The Heritage Queenstown offers flexible conference rooms with natural light and breathtaking views. The largest of the Hotel’s conference rooms can seat 200 people in a theatre style or 112 in cabaret style seating. This venue also offer a roof top space that is a spectacular setting for your welcome cocktail reception.
Millbrook Resort
The award-winning Millbrook Resort is a luxurious 5-star retreat located on 500 acres of beautiful countryside. Its elegantly decorated suites and villas offer clear views of the surrounding mountains. Guests enjoy an outdoor heated pool, an indoor lap pool and 2 outdoor hot tubs. The Millbrook Resort is approximately 15-minutes drive from Queenstown and Queenstown International Airport.
Accommodation options at Millbrook Resort include open-plan studios, larger 1-bedroom suites or spacious 2-bedroom villas with a fully equipped kitchen. All accommodation offer great views of the mountains, golf course or resort grounds. Millbrook Resort encompasses a 175 room boutique hotel, a 27-hole golf course, covered driving range, an award-winning day spa, health and fitness centre with gymnasium, 25m lap swimming pool, hot pools and 200 seat conference facility.
The Resort has seven venues to accommodate meetings from 20 – 200 delegates in The Millhouse Conference Centre, The Pavilion, The Clubhouse, Waterfall Cottage, onsite Marquee or the 2 Bedroom suites.
Hotel Facilities:
Complimentary WiFi, 27-hole championship golf course – open year round, Four restaurants on-site, in room dining from 6am – 10pm, award winning day spa, health and fitness centre, heated indoor three lane 25m swimming pool, three outdoor spa pools and male & female sauna rooms, tennis courts, petanque court and mountain bikes for hire, BBQ area, laundry service and dry cleaning, complimentary shuttle to/from Queenstown and Arrowtown for guests at leisure.
Golfers will love the Millbrook’s 27-hole championship golf course and covered driving range. Millbrook Resort is a 3-time winner of the World Travel Award for ‘Leading Golf Resort in Australasia’.
Hotel St Moritz Queenstown
Idyllically situated in the heart of Queenstown and with wonderful views overlooking Lake Wakatipu to The Remarkables mountain range, Hotel St Moritz embodies the spirit of its location. Blending understated luxury with warmth, Hotel St Moritz offers a choice of rooms and suites, each beautifully appointed to cleverly blend timeless classics with modern essentials.
The accommodation rooms have balconies or lake views, while suites include kitchenettes, washer/dryers and living rooms. There’s an elegant lake-view restaurant and a bar with regular live music, in addition to a chic lounge area with a stone fireplace. After a long day of skiing and adventure there is a sauna and outdoor hot tubs.
The hotel is just an 11-minute walk from the Skyline Gondola and 17 km from Coronet Peak ski area.
This really is a stylish Queenstown conference venue, with two dedicated events space, The Den, catering for 30 in boardroom, 60 in classroom or 80 for dinner delegates; and The Library seating 20 in boardroom, 30 in classroom or 60 delegates for dinner.
Offsite Dinner Venues
Jacks Point
Jacks Point Clubhouse & Restaurant sits beside the 18th hole on one of the most highly ranked golf courses in the South Island. The rustic complex draws its inspiration from the traditional Kiwi woolshed, making a distinctive statement in its outstanding location, while blending with the surrounding rural landscape. The floor to ceiling windows provide stunning views from every aspect, taking in the Remarkables Mountain Range, Coronet Peak and Lake Tewa. The main dining room seats 100 guests for dinner, 150 guests in the main dining area, bar and lounge area or upto 300 guests for cocktails.
Gibbston Valley Winery
Located just 25 minutes from Queenstown, Gibbston Valley Winery Restaurant merges the stunning surrounds of the vines with the elegant beauty of wine and food. The Gibbston Valley Winery Restaurant, Wine Cave, Barrel Hall and Courtyard provide a range of venues for hosting a conference lunch or dinner for upto 450 guests.
Amisfield Winery
Located 25 minutes drive from central Queenstown, overlooking Lake Hayes and a back drop of the Remarkables mountain range, is the iconic stone building which houses Amisfield’s Bistro and Cellar Door.
This stunning location can seat up to 120 guests in the courtyard to 70 guests in the two main dining areas of the Bistro. Start your evening with an exclusive wine tasting in the Cellar, where you will learn the story of Amisfield and enjoy a tasting of their single-estate vineyard wines.
Stoneridge Estate
Stoneridge Estate is the closest Cellar Door to Queenstown, surrounded by one of the most amazing mountain rail trails of New Zealand. Lodge Boardroom and Lodge Dining room are perfect for small groups for up 6 – 18. The Hayes Room constructed from recycled iron, stone, hardwood beams and overlooking sprawling gardens seats up to 180 guests in this room with an amazing view.
ACTIVITIES
Action & Adventure
- AJ Hacket Bunjy jumping
- Dart Jet Safari
- Luging
- Skyline Gondola
- Shotover
- 4WD Tour with Nomad Safaris
- White Water rafting
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Skydiving
- Kayak Milford Sound
- Golf
- Fearfactor Queenstown
Wine Tasting
- Gibbston Valley
- Bannockburn
- Cromwell
- Amisfield
PRE & POST CONFERENCING
Take the time to explore Queenstown and its surrounds by embarking on a wine tour, a helicopter flight, nature hike or a cycling tour of the Central Otago rail trail.
After long days of exploring food lovers will revel in the quality of the local produce at Queenstowns range or dining delights. Visit our ES Lifestyle teams blog on where to eat and play in Queenstown for our recommended highlights.
Plan a day trip to the Milford Sound – one of New Zealand’s great natural wonders, deep within Fiordland National Park. GreatSights operates Milford Sound tours from Queenstown in luxury glass-roof coaches with drivers expert commentary, free WiFi and a range of lunch options. AwesomeNZ runs sightseeing day tours to Milford Sound by glass-roof coach with commentar, free Wi-Fi, an Encounter Cruise, with roving nature guides helping you spot the amazing wildlife on show in the fiord. The cruise lasts 2 hours 15 minutes and includes a picnic lunch in summer or hot buffet lunch in winter.
Take in the history of Queenstown with a visit to the goldrush village, Arrowtown. You can enjoy wandering through the local boutiques, try your luck at gold panning or stop for a coffee in one of the cafes. On the way back, take a detour to nearby Gibbston Valley wine region to enjoy lunch, wine and cheese tasting from their high altitude region wines and exception selection of tasty cheeses.
Whether you’re looking for a 3, 5 or 7 day Conference Agenda, our dedicated team of Project Managers can help to bring your action packed itinerary to life!
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