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Leading luxury tourism providers 'bedazzle' in Queenstown

Tuesday 24 May 2011, 4:36PM

By Southern Public Relations

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Sam Neill at The Penthouse, Sofitel Queenstown
Sam Neill at The Penthouse, Sofitel Queenstown Credit: Queenstown Prestige
Philip Jenkins from Blanket Bay and Olivia Smith from Scott Dunn Travel in the UK
Philip Jenkins from Blanket Bay and Olivia Smith from Scott Dunn Travel in the UK Credit: Queenstown Prestige
James Varnam from Mana Luxury Tours in the USA and Nadene Milene from the Nadene Milene Gallery in Arrowtown
James Varnam from Mana Luxury Tours in the USA and Nadene Milene from the Nadene Milene Gallery in Arrowtown Credit: Queenstown Prestige

QUEENSTOWN

Some of the world’s leading luxury agents and travel media were treated to a lavish evening showcasing the best Queenstown has to offer last night (Monday May 23) with a launch with a difference.

Guests at the launch of Queenstown Prestige, an alliance formed to deliver a clear, concise and consistent message about the standard of luxury providers in the resort town, were literally treated to a ‘moving feast’ of world-class experiences.

Picked up from their accommodation via BLACK chauffeured service, guests were taken on a ‘magical mystery tour’ of the resort which took them to a breathtaking property on Queenstown Hill, with panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and the mountains beyond, then to Eichardt’s Private Hotel on the waterfront, on to the penthouse at Sofitel Queenstown and finishing at the private EBIT Bar.

Queenstown Prestige comprises multi-award-winning accommodation providers Eichardt’s Private Hotel, Touch of Spice, Blanket Bay, Matakauri Lodge and Sofitel Queenstown, luxury leather goods retailer Louis Vuitton, Queenstown Opal Centre jewellers, Over The Top Helicopters, Mount Edward Winery, Cruikshank Furniture and high-quality transport company BLACK.

The evening began at 24 Edinburgh, a luxury property operated by Touch of Spice, where canapés crafted by Blanket Bay’s award-winning Executive Chef Debbie Crompton were accompanied by flowing champagne and an exclusive showing of artwork by gallery owner Nadene Milne of Arrowtown.

Back at Eichardt’s Private Hotel, guests viewed dazzling gems from the Opal Centre before sampling delicious cuisine from Head Chef Gwen Harvie. A food and wine tasting was hosted by Mount Edward Winery.

The evening continued with dinner and live jazz at the Penthouse at Sofitel Queenstown where guests viewed the latest designer Louis Vuitton bags. International film star and Queenstown resident Sam Neill introduced his Two Paddocks wines which were served with dinner, and kept guests entertained with anecdotes throughout the evening.

The launch finished with dessert and post-dinner drinks hosted by BLACK at the private EBIT Bar overlooking Queenstown Bay, where works by local artist and designer Ed Cruikshank were on display.

“It was an excellent evening, with Queenstown at its best,” said international film star and Queenstown resident Sam Neill.

“From the feedback we received the evening was a tremendous success,” said Holly Taylor, General Manager of Eichardt’s Private Hotel.

“Our aim was to get across a clear and consistent message from a like-minded group of businesses working together that we know the true meaning of luxury, and I think we more than did that last night.”