An “ultra luxury” hotel on the corner of two of Queenstown’s much used streets will open on September 1, the same month that the 1800 square metre DFS luxury retailer will close up shop for good on September 30.
The $70million ROKI Collection Queenstown is funded by a private conglomerate of Australian developers and sits on the corner of Brunswick St and the Lake Esplanade across the road from the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Perched on the edge of the CBD, guests will have the best of both worlds – lake and town.
With interiors from heralded lodge designer Virgina Fisher (Huka Lodge, Kauri Cliffs, Matakauri Lodge, Cape Kidnappers, Eichard’s), The ROKI Collection dubs itself an urban retreat providing “the luxury of tranquility.” Translated? Everything here will be uber calm for discerning travellers and filled with curated design and natural beauty and other such rich phrases.
You can expect 15 suites from one bedroom to four bedrooms and a seven bedroom penthouse known as the Grand ROKI Suite. There’s also an indoor wellness sanctuary for guests only with lap pool, ice bath, sauna and gym. Word is a sleep concierge and private chef can also be arranged for those wanting to truly exhale.
The general public that can’t afford the $1800 to $32,000 nightly rate can throw on their faux Louboutins and head to one of two restaurants that are open to non-guests – fine dining excellence at Essence and seafood magic at The Terrace with lake views. The culinary director is Paul Froggatt, formerly of Huka Lodge and Kauri Cliffs where only guests could experience his cuisine.
Not hungry? Then pull up a stool at The Library Bar and imbibe like you own a lear jet.
Meanwhile across town, DFS (a subsidiary of Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton) is closing down, three years after opening, and taking Chloe, Kenzo and Moncler, Breitling with them. The 1800 square metre shrine to design brands took over the O’Connell Plaza building opposite the forever-busy Kentucky Fried Drive through in 2022.
The news of DFS departure from New Zealand comes 18 months after another Queenstown luxe hotel, The Carlin Boutique Hotel, was placed into receivership two years after opening.
Developed during the pandemic, the high-end Carlin opened with much fanfare and two Michelin trained chefs plus $1900 entry room rates, as New Zealand re-opened international borders. Now sold to an Australian secured creditor, the hotel is still operational.
