As Air New Zealand's flight NZ1 commenced its descent into Auckland, I felt a flutter of excitement. It had been over 7 years since my last visit to NZ so this trip was long overdue. As I relaxed into my fabulous, fully flat-bed Business Premier seat for landing, I looked forward to the whirlwind 10 days ahead of me.  From the moment I was transferred to the luxuriously stylish Hotel DeBrett – a firm favourite with our clients - in Auckland’s city centre, my feet barely hit the ground. After exploring the stunning Loft Suite that was to be my home for 24 hours, I found myself onboard Auckland Adventure Jet for an adrenalin-filled half hour of spins and power breaks with Auckland’s impressive skyline as a back-drop.  An excellent way to blow away the cobwebs after the flight from London!

The next day, after a delicious breakfast in Hotel DeBrett’s beautiful atrium restaurant, I headed for the airport once again. I’ve flown into Queenstown many times before but you can never tire of the sensational landscape that surrounds this fantastic little town. With snow-capped mountain ranges and lakes so blue they look fake, this flight really does take your breath away.

Just 15 minutes after landing, I’d collected my hire car from Hertz and was heading off towards Remarkables Lodge to have a catch up with the delightful owners, Colleen & Brian.  Located at the foothills of the impressive Remarkables mountain range, the lodge offers luxury accommodation in a rural setting with uninterrupted views of the mesmerising mountains.  Driving through Queenstown and out the other side of town towards Glenorchy, I checked into Matakauri Lodge – the highlight of my trip.  As one of NZ’s super lodges, Matakauri Lodge is the epitome of stylish luxury. Overlooking Lake Wakatipu, with sensational views from the picture windows in your suite, you’ll forget that you’re only 7 minutes’ drive from lively Queenstown. For those with a little jet-lag, I’d recommend an early morning bath whilst watching the sunrise over the Remarkables from your tub.

The next morning, I had to drag myself away from this sensational lodge – but I was looking forward to seeing another of our favourite luxury lodges; Blanket Bay Lodge. Situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu near Glenorchy, this is one of New Zealand’s finest lodges. The manager, the lovely Philip Jenkins, is, quite rightly, very passionate about this alpine masterpiece.

A picturesque 45 minute drive along the lake-hugging Glenorchy-Queenstown road and I was checking in for my night at Azur Lodge, located in the quiet residential area of Sunshine bay – just a few minutes drive from Queenstown. Azur Lodge sits atop a hill with sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains. Each large and well appointed villa takes advantage of the magnificent views up and down Lake Wakatipu.  On winter evenings, you can curl up on your sofa with a glass of locally produced Pinot Noir.  In the summer months, you can enjoy the incredible vistas from your private deck.

Next stop, the Sofitel located in the heart of Queenstown.  With large and beautifully appointed rooms, this stylish hotel has everything right on its doorstep which meant checking in for my Dart River Safari was just a few steps away. This half day tour takes you through classic Lord of The Rings country and is a must for anyone who enjoys magnificent scenery coupled with an exciting jet boat ride.

One of our favourites here at Bridge & Wickers is Browns Boutique Hotel located just a few minutes walk from the centre of Queenstown overlooking the town and enjoying the peace of a quiet street.  The owners of this lovely Tuscan-style hotel, Gillian & Donald, are the perfect hosts – and Donald cooks a fantastic energy-boosting breakfast to keep you going through your chosen activites during the day.

My final night was spent at the ultra-stylish Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel.  This modern yet very comfortable hotel is just moments from the lively bars and restaurants of Queenstown and yet far enough away to escape the hustle and bustle.  With floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Remarkables mountain range or Bob’s Peak (home to Queenstown’s gondola), this hotel makes the most of Queenstown’s dramatic surroundings.

As the perfect send-off before leaving this fabulously exciting town, I was lucky enough to be taken ‘Over the Top’ for an incredible heli flight over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu with ‘Choppy’ – one of Queenstown’s legends!  With her years of experience, expertise and relaxed, amusing manner, Choppy can make your heli flight one to remember forever.

To experience all that Queenstown has to offer, call our experienced sales team on 020 7483 6555 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for a tailor-made quotation.