Blanket Bay

Perfectly positioned between mountains and lake, Blanket Bay -- a member of the posh Small Luxury Hotels of the World group -- showcases New Zealand’s dramatic scenery. Aesthetically, though, the main lodge calls to mind another rugged locale: the American Rockies. Designed by an Idaho architect and modeled on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s vintage-style Sun Valley abode, it is centered around a great room with an enormous schist-stone fireplace on one side and floor-to-ceiling windows on the other. Antler chandeliers hung from its 30-foot-high beamed ceiling illuminate plump sofas, hand-hewn accents, oil paintings, and antique rugs. A mounted stag’s head, coupled with decorative hunting and fishing paraphernalia, complete the look, creating an old-school atmosphere that’s well-suited to low-key moneyed types who appreciate the great outdoors. It's worth noting that children under 10 are not permitted.  

When it comes to scenic settings, it’s hard to beat this mountain-backed one on Lake Wakatipu. There’s nothing in the immediate area but natural beauty; however, the quaint frontier town of Glenorchy (a "Lord of the Rings"filming locale and the launch pad for several top hiking trails) is only a five-minute drive north, and Queenstown (dubbed “The Adventure Capital” thanks to the adrenaline-fueled recreational opportunities it offers) lies 45 minutes southeast. Better yet, both land- and water-based activities in the area can be arranged on-site. The former include horseback riding on Wyuna High Country Station, hiking on the Routeburn, or Milford Tracks and cycling into Glenorchy; while the latter range from jetboating into Mount Aspiring National Park and fly-fishing in the Greenstone or Caples Rivers to canoeing on the lake itself. Because of the secluded location, most guests arrive in their own cars, though transfers from Queenstown Airport -- via luxury sedan, helicopter, or small plane -- are also available.

• Five-minute drive to Glenorchy
• 45-minute drive to Queenstown
• 57-minute drive to Queenstown Airport
• 64-minute drive to Arrowtown
• Two-hour drive to Wanaka
• Six-and-a-half-hour drive to Christchurch (55 minutes by plane) 

Like the common areas, the woodsy guest rooms here have a posh pioneer decor that mixes natural materials with fine, neutral-toned fabrics and eclectic accessories, making them seem rustic and refined in equal measure. At the main lodge, guests can choose between 400-square-foot rooms (each with their own lakefront balcony or terrace) and 700-square-foot suites which add sitting areas, walk-in closets and stone fireplaces. Adjacent to the lodge, a pair of chalets contains four more similarly sized and equipped suites, which can be combined with a state room to double their area. All feature top-shelf amenities including air-conditioning, irons/ironing boards, minibars, coffee/tea-making supplies, digital safes, flat-screen Apple TVs, DVD players, Bluetooth soundbars, free Wi-FI, plus spacious, granite-trimmed bathrooms with double sinks, deep tubs and separate rainfall showers. Use of on-site equipment and facilities, breakfast, pre-dinner drinks and dinner itself as well as free access to a self-serve bar are also included in the room rate. Note that when more space is required, the self-contained Owner’ Residence -- complete with two bedrooms, a full kitchen and adjoining two-bedroom studio -- fits the bill.

As you’d expect in a hotel of this caliber, the facilities are top-notch. Take the dining venues for breakfast and dinner, both of which are included in the rate. The former is served buffet-style in a classy yet cozy room appointed with antique accents; while the latter -- a five-course affair focused on local delicacies, prefaced by complimentary cocktails and paired with fine wines -- can be enjoyed either beneath a beamed ceiling in the main dining room, in an even more intimate wine cave with schist-stone walls, or (in temperate months) under the stars on the terrace where an oversized outdoor fireplace provides added warm and ambiance. Afterwards, there are multiple places to relax as well because sated guests can retire to the aptly named Great Room or the Games Room: a wood-paneled space equipped with shuffle board and pool tables, board games, a 60-inch satellite TV, and a free self-serve bar.

Dozens of outdoor activities can be arranged by the staff, including horseback riding, golfing, and fly-fishing (see the Location section above for more). For those that want to break a sweat indoors, there's a gym with a Vectra Multi station and Life Fitness cardio equipment plus an outdoor summer-only lap pool that’s partially walled for the sake of privacy. Each offers stunning alpine views; the caveat is that each is on the small side. Ditto for the spa area, although it does include steam rooms, a lake-view hot tub and a therapy suite where you can book a surprisingly broad range of treatments -- many of them utilizing natural, locally sourced ingredients. For guests who must combine work and leisure, there’s also an on-site business center and meeting spaces: access to A/V equipment, secretarial services and an in-house conference coordinator are welcome bonuses. Wi-Fi is free throughout the premises.