Blanket Bay, Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand
With stunning views over Lake Wakatipu to the Humbolt Mountains, set on a 65,000 acre farm and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, a prehistoric rainforest and trout-filled rivers.
In our job you see some beautiful places. But few compare with this (and if it looks familiar that’s because Lord of the Rings was filmed here). The mountains, the unbelievably blue lake, the whole setting is quite simply jaw-dropping, and so is the lodge.
Absolutely no expense has been spared, and it shows. It’s gorgeous: centred around the magnificent 30ft high Great Room, known to staff as ‘Middle Earth’, with an elaborate spa, sophisticated cuisine and sublime accommodation.
A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, suites have enormous living rooms and acres of space, and more space than you’ll know what to do with. And the chalets are pure decadence, offering an extraordinary degree of privacy.
As for activities, you’re an hour from Queenstown, the adrenaline-sports capital of New Zealand, but with views like these you may not want to do anything at all.