2 new hotels, 1 hotel major upgrade planned

An artist’s impression of the planned 69-room luxury QT Queenstown hotel, to replace two outdated...
An artist’s impression of the planned 69-room luxury QT Queenstown hotel, to replace two outdated blocks at the back of Rydges Lakeland Resort, part of a $35million investment in the property. IMAGE: WARREN AND MAHONEY
The two  hotel blocks at the back of Rydges Lakeland Resort which, subject to resource consent,...
The two hotel blocks at the back of Rydges Lakeland Resort which, subject to resource consent, will be demolished to make way for the 69-room QT Queenstown five-star hotel. PHOTO: PHILIP CHANDLER

Millions of dollars will be pumped into the visitor accommodation sector in the Queenstown CBD, with two new hotels and an extensive upgrade to an existing property planned.

Local developer Lew Gdanitz is expected to begin work on a $10million 54-room boutique hotel in Henry St next month, while Singaporean interests - which are buying a Shotover St site behind the Crowne Plaza for $9million - are believed to be planning a 120-room boutique hotel.

Meanwhile, AHL Hotels (NZ), owner of Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown, is planning a 69-room luxury hotel as part of a $35million investment in the property.

Subject to resource consent, the QT-branded five-star hotel will replace 92 outdated rooms in the two rear blocks - built in 1964 and 1975 - which will be demolished.

The company, owned by Australian giant Amalgamated Holdings, also planned to upgrade the hotel's existing restaurant and bar facilities - in a way similar to QT Gold Coast's Stingray Lounge and Bazaar restaurant - as well as the lobby.

Amalgamated Holdings chief executive and managing director David Seargeant said he hoped to complete QT Queenstown by the end of next year.

The company operated five Australian hotels under the brand, with two more under construction, and was also using the brand for Wellington's Museum Hotel, which it bought for $28.5million earlier this year.

Mr Seargeant said there was an ‘‘expectation'' major tourist destinations needed to have hotels of that style to attract ‘‘the true international tourists''.

Destination Queenstown chief executive Graham Budd said he was excited about the investment planned for the hotel stock.

‘‘There's no question that I would like to see additional hotel accommodation built in Queenstown, but in the meantime, refurbishing old stock that's dated ... is the next best thing, so it's a welcome investment.''

 -by Philip Chandler 

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