Editors' Picks

Azur Lodge

Villas, exclusive, romantic

23 Mackinnon Tce, Queenstown 9300

64-3-409-0588

See Website

At a Glance

Set high in the hillside above Lake Wakatipu, the romantic Azur has just nine private villas. Once guests are checked in, they may find it difficult to leave.

Indagare Loves

  • The main villa’s wonderful library room, well-stocked with titles about New Zealand
  • The spacious villas with massive window panels and expansive views
  • The location: close to town but removed from the noise and scene

Review

Located at the end of a suburban street, a six-minute drive from Queenstown, Azur has just nine villas and a main lodge, making it a great choice for couples who like to hole up in an incredibly romantic setting at the end of an active day. All of the nine villas boast the same generous size and open floor-plan layout, with a large sitting area in front of a gas fireplace, a nook for a round dining table and a massive, oversized king-size bed. Everything is pointed in the direction of floor-to-ceiling window panels that overlook Lake Wakatipu and Cecil Peak and stretch onward to the Remarkables mountain range (featured prominently in The Lord of the Rings movies).

Interiors are modern and sleek, with lots of warm wood and splashes of color in greens and blues. Bathrooms – spacious and with views – are tiled in charcoal grey, boasting showers the size of small Manhattan apartments, and bathtubs come with Jacuzzi jets. The mini-bar is stocked with local treats, the balcony has comfortable loungers, there’s wine upon arrival – in short, once you have arrived, the Azur villas are not easy to leave.

That’s a good thing for couples happy to hole up here and not so great for types who need hotel amenities. Azur doesn’t have a pool, a gym, a spa or a restaurant. Massages can be organized in the rooms, and the lovely staff is happy to pick up some food from a Queenstown restaurant – a fancy version of take-out – and set up the table with candles in your room. The main lodge has a comfortable dining room where breakfasts are served communal-style, and the library where afternoon wine and canapés are presented, but for the most part, Azur is the type of place where guests are touring in the area during the day and are holed up in their villas in the evenings. Queenstown is close by (it feels more accessible than at Matakauri) and guests can request to be shuttled there, in case driving on the left side of the road after dinner does not sound appealing.

The staff at Azur is terrific – young, motivated and full of great recommendations for touring in Queenstown and beyond. And thanks to the intimate size of the property, the experience of staying here feels personal and customized.

Who Should Stay

While Azur doesn’t have an age minimum for children and does welcome families, it is better suited to couples. There are no real grounds – only the villas and the main lodge, so keeping young ones entertained might be challenging. Also, travelers who need the amenities of a hotel – gym, spa, pool etc. – should book elsewhere. Azur is a great fit for independent travelers who like to feel tucked away in an exquisite setting while also having proximity to town.

Written by Simone Girner

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