At $10,000 a night, is Eichardt's Private Hotel New Zealand's most expensive?

Monday, 7 November 2016

The $6million expansion of the building includes an upstairs penthouse, two ensuites and the Grille restaurant downstairs.

The owner of Eichardt's Private Hotel says his will be the most expensive penthouse in New Zealand when it opens in the heart of Queenstown next month.

The $10,000-a-night penthouse is part of a $6 million expansion of the historic hotel, which also includes a new 200-seat restaurant.

Christchurch-born and Melbourne-based Andrew Cox is the owner of Eichardt's Private Hotel and $10,000 per night penthouse on Queenstown waterfront.

The suite comes with in-suite sauna, a 100sq m balcony, sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu and all-day-long services of a butler, private chef and a driver.

The Melbourne-based owner Andrew Cox said there was a 'significant interest' and a number of pre bookings had been placed, with New Years Eve already booked out.

He said the luxury accommodation would suit ultra-high net worth guests.

Coz declined to give names of famous people who had stayed at Eichardt's Private Hotel in the past but said previous guests included American sport stars and media personalities, Australian actors and billionaires.

'You could go through the Australian rich list and you can find that a good number have stayed here. People who are staying here are looking for a very bespoken experience. It's all about individual service,' he said.

The new building with the penthouse and the waterfront restaurant was designed by award-winning Queenstown architect Michael Wyatt.

'I didn't like it at the start when I first saw it. I just thought it was too extreme but it's really grown on me. And now…it will become an extension of the icon that Eichardt's is,' Cox said.

While the exterior was partly the old building and party new, the internal design was consistent, he said.

'In the way we've connected the two [buildings] - I think it' great.'

Destination Queenstown's chief executive Graham Budd said it was exciting to see a new luxury offering and retail experience being added to the centre of Queenstown.

'Queenstown is New Zealand's premium visitor destination and attracts guests in the luxury market from Australia, America, Asia and Europe as well as domestically - all looking to enjoy stunning scenery, authentic experiences, unique activities and fine local cuisine and wine in a welcoming and safe environment.'

The Eichardt's expansion was a dream come true for Cox, who had been planning it for the last seven years.

He was working on a similar project at the Auckland waterfront, but was keeping his eyes open for any new opportunities in the resort.