Hotel St Moritz Queenstown, MGallery

Hotel St Moritz brings a touch of the Swiss Alps to the slopes above Lake Wakatipu. Part of Accor’s MGallery collection of boutique hotels, it is built in an alpine lodge style that blends traditional elegance with modern comfort. It sits on Brunswick Street on the hillside west of the town centre, high enough for wide views across the lake to The Remarkables and quiet enough to feel like a retreat, yet only a short stroll from the restaurants and the waterfront. Rooms range from Guest Rooms with garden or lake views, some with balconies, to Alpine Suites and a Two Bedroom Suite with a lake view, and there are 27 connecting rooms for families. Lombardi Restaurant, a regional brasserie, serves breakfast and dinner, and Lombardi Bar is a cosy place for a drink with the view. Wellness comes in the form of a secluded hot tub garden, a fitness centre and in-room spa and massage therapies.

Location and getting around: Brunswick Street climbs from Lake Esplanade on the western side of town, so the walk into the centre is short and pleasant along the lake, with a gentle climb on the way back. Steamer Wharf, the Mall and the shuttle departures from Shotover Street are all within easy walking distance, and the Skyline gondola base is a little further on.

Rooms: book a lake-view room or suite if you can, as the view across the water to The Remarkables is the hotel’s signature. Balcony categories are worth it in summer, and the Alpine Suites give extra space for a longer stay. Garden-view rooms are the value choice.

Who it suits: couples who want a romantic, lodge-like base with views, and families who appreciate the connecting rooms and the suites. It is a good middle ground between the intimacy of a tiny luxury hotel and the facilities of a larger property.

Good to know: parking is in an indoor car park of about 40 spaces, charged per night, with valet on request, and you must pre-book because space is limited. Breakfast is served at Lombardi and is usually charged unless your rate includes it. Ask for a higher floor and a lake-facing room for the quietest stay with the best outlook.