QUEENSTOWN – the Switzerland of the South Pacific – has been one of the most spectacular holiday destinations on both sides of the Tasman for more than a century.
The majestic snow-capped towering peaks framing the inlet of Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu have long kept cameras clicking and tourists gasping with wonder.
Nik Kiddle, who has owned and managed Queenstown’s spectacular Villa del Lago for the last 10 years, is now offering its management rights in one of tourism’s most iconic and popular locations for $NZ1.3 (about $A1.17m).
Villa del Lago won Queenstown’s “Best Luxury Hotel” in 2020 as judged by the US-based assessment company Luxury Lifestyle Awards, and it has consistently been rated by TripAdvisor in the top 10 accommodation businesses in the resort town.
Mr Kiddle is offering a rare opportunity to buy the management rights to a complex of 18 premium apartments situated on the lake shore in Queenstown. The property is close to Queenstown’s old town centre, snow sports venues, vineyards, hiking, cycling, golf, lake and mountain activities.
Villa del Lago comes with its own pebbled beach and jetty, a cycle and hiking trail right in front of the property, and best of all, stunning unobstructed views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.
The sale includes the business of managing the grounds and buildings and to be the letting agency for 16 apartments, ranging from 70 sqm one-bedroom suites to huge 170 sqm three-bedroom villas.
“Queenstown is one of the great vacation destinations of the world and this property has a terrific location,” Mr Kiddle said. “The complex itself is fortunate that it’s on a slight promontory that goes out into the lake a little bit, so it has more sun that just about any of the other properties on the lakeshore.
“There are nine one-bedroom suites and one two-bedroom, and the rest are very large three-bedroom apartments.
“All the apartments are like a home away from home.
“They are fully equipped and appointed for self-catering and beautifully appointed with new kitchens, new bathrooms, new flooring, lighting and new soft furnishings.”
Every apartment has a free car parking space, free storage lockers for sports equipment and a drying locker for skiers’ and boarders’ wet gear.
There is also free, unlimited Wi-Fi for the entire stay and free infants’ highchairs.
Mr Kiddle said the business came with a solid track record of demand from discerning New Zealand and international travellers, from Australia, the USA, China, other Asian nations and Europe.
He said it catered to both summer and winter tourism as well as shoulder season travellers looking for hiking and photography opportunities.
Mr Kiddle said the property had an accommodation capacity of 52 guests per night and that skilled staff were already in place.
The reopening of international borders to New Zealand had seen “earnings tracking up strongly”.
Queenstown began welcoming tourists way back in 1862 when gold was discovered in the Arrow River, and a wool shed was converted into a hotel. The town, with a permanent population of about 20,000, promotes itself as the adventure capital of the world, and the Southern Hemisphere's premier four-season lake and alpine resort.
Queenstown launched the world's first and most famous bungy jumps. They are still one of its most thrilling activities from the Kawarau Bridge. But the heart can also race on jet boat rides through the rugged beauty and unspoilt grandeur of the white-water rapids of the Shotover River.
Skydiving allows visitors to take in the epic views of the Southern Alps and surrounding lakes, or for those who like to be a bit closer to the ground, there are rides through the rocky gorges and creek crossings by quad bike.
Or visitors can just chill with a glass of the glorious local wines and take in the views that are truly astonishing. The local mountains are called the Remarkables for good reason.
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