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As retirement projects go, Kevin Carlin’s is a doozy.
The Carlin, his $30 million-plus, six-star hotel - the first in New Zealand - was officially opened in Queenstown last night, three years after the United States-born developer bought the 640sqm Hallenstein St site.
After $280,000 was spent burying power lines, ground was broken in late 2019, followed by a 14-month project to excavate five storeys and retain the site, before construction started last February.
While not his first development - his other New Zealand projects in the past 16 years include Lakeside Estates and The Waterfront Apartments in Queenstown, and Christchurch’s Styx Mill Country Club - The Carlin has been a labour of love, and the realisation of a dream.
"I probably shouldn’t have raised my hand to be the builder, because building a small hotel is a lot of work," Mr Carlin said.
"Most people do a house, not a hotel - especially one that’s as highly specced as this."
Covid had also caused issues, primarily in cost increases and time delays, "but we’re ready to open".
Aiming for the hotel to be "beyond five-star", he initially assessed its offering against the five-star checklist.
"It took 500 points to become five stars and when I totalled our points, with all the things we were offering, we came up with 638."
Suites range from 50sqm to 288sqm - one features a small stage and a baby grand piano - and all have balconies looking out to Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu and feature outdoor fires and spas.
The Carlin Skyhome Penthouse, billed as the largest penthouse suite in Australasia, is a three-level, seven-bedroom suite connected by private lift and with a private entrance.
Bathrooms feature intelligent toilets, and the monogrammed bathrobes are the same as those worn by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in action-romance movie Mr and Mrs Smith.
There is also a private butler’s officer and a Maserati available for hotel guests to hire out.
Six-star luxury comes at a price, but Mr Carlin said it was still affordable, and worth every cent.
Tariffs start at $1900 a night for a one-bed, one-bath suite, the cost including airport transfers in either a Porsche or Bentley, a chauffeur service to and from town, "The Carlin treat trolley", delivered to rooms every night, and a full cooked breakfast.
There was also the hotel’s private jet service, imperative for a six-star offering, Mr Carlin said.
A Falcon 900, which seated 13 in "Covid-friendly" configurations, with its own pilot and air crew, was stationed on the Gold Coast and had already been booked by a group from Australia, which was hiring out the entire property for five nights, Mr Carlin said.
"We’ve had two inquiries in the last week on the private jet, one from a Queenstown family and one from Australia, which is what makes it more affordable.
"We’re not just after wealthy people - we couldn’t survive that way.
"We’re after everybody."
Six-star amenities at The Carlin
• Maserati available for guest hire.
• Airport transfers in a Porsche or Bentley.
• Two Michelin Star-experienced chefs.
• One in-suite baby grand piano.
• Intelligent toilets.
• Bathrobes the same as those worn by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in Mr and Mrs Smith.
• Outdoor courtyards featuring private spas, fires and and dining.
• Complimentary mini-bar, mixologist on standby.
• Full private kitchen, in-room private chef options.
• Private butler’s room with complimentary cigars.
• Marble finishings, including skirting boards.
• In-room spa treatments, including private yoga or Pilates with instructor.
• Private jet service option available.
• Private VIP access.
