It comes as no surprise that Queenstown, extolled for so much, has garnered international attention for all they have to offer. Several venues throughout Queenstown have been lauded for a variety of achievements, from celebrating Queenstown’s penchant for creating some of the best wines in the world to recognising their efforts in sustainable tourism. Queenstown itself was ranked first in US magazine Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best list for Top Cities in the South Pacific, voted by the readers themselves, with an awards night in New York attended by Tourism New Zealand. Below, we have a list of some of the most celebrated venues in Queenstown, each with their own collection of awards and acclaims. If you're looking for more venues, check out our complete guide to Queenstown venues here.

Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa

Image by Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa

The epitome of French magnificence, Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa offers excellence in a central location, settled within the heart of Queenstown. They offer unique dining experiences, awe-inspiring views of the mountain ranges and lake, a soothing spa, and so much more. Since 2014, Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa has received several prominent awards, including Tripadvisor’s Certificate of Excellence and Travellers Choice awards, finalists in the Luxury Hotel Awards, Haute Grandeur Global Awards and HM Awards NZ Hotel of the Year, and World Luxury Spa Awards’ Best Luxury Destination Spa (Australia and Oceania). Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa has been set on prestige since opening and has even won awards for sustainability, adding Qualmark’s Gold Sustainability and 5 Star Award to their busy trophy case.

Skyline Queenstown

Image by Skyline Queenstown

Aside from granting you and your guests unparalleled views of Queenstown, Skyline Queenstown is an events space that is, quite literally, head and shoulders above the rest. 30 minutes from the centre of town, this venue can cater for up to 900 guests and is available for both partial and exclusive hire. Skyline Queenstown also comes fully equipped with a host of awards they have collected over the years. They were awarded Supreme Business of the Year,  Real Journeys Excellence in Tourism, Activities or Events Award, and Lane Neave Large Business of the Year at the Westpac Queenstown Business Excellence Awards. They’ve also garnered recognition for their environmental endeavours, receiving the Qualmark Enviro Gold Award in 2014 for carrying out a series of successful projects in an effort to make Skyline a cleaner, greener and more sustainable venue for Queenstown and New Zealand.

Rees Hotel

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A sophisticated, award-winning hotel on the cusp of Lake Wakatipu, Rees Hotel offers an expansive, light-filled space for events and leisure alike. They showcase gorgeous views of the lake, as well as the Remarkables, as well as an extraordinary library of rare books and art. They have won the Allied Operator of the Year Award, awarded by the New Zealand Tourism Export Council, and their famed True South dining room has won Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for the second year in a row - this has been the eighth consecutive year that their fine dining experience has been recognised by Wine Spectators for its wine list. Additionally, Rees Hotel has also been awarded Best NZ Hotel in both 2017 and 2018, as well as the Best Urban Accommodation Award by Skal International.

Matakauri Lodge

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Looking out at the Remarkables, Cecil and Walter Peak, Matakauri Lodge is a luxe and cosy space 25 minutes from the airport. Sitting on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, they offer a range of tailored programmes for events, 4 function spaces, on-site accommodation and dining, and professional event management. They have been named in the Top 5 Australian New Zealand Hotels/ Resorts, and placed as 45th in the world voted by Travel + Leisure readers in the 2019 Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards. They have also received a duo of adulations from Condé Nast, on both their Gold List and the recipient of Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards in both 2015 and 2018. Matakauri Lodge is part of Robertson Lodges, recognised as leaders in luxury accommodation and resorts.

The Winery

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Proud to be the world’s largest tasting of New Zealand wine, The Winery is a space that offers everything from award-winning to boutique wines in a single location, permitting you to unwind in a comfortable space with platters of fresh bread, cheese and more. There are over 80 wines to choose from at The Winery, with simple self-serving options and over 20 wine tours of Central Otago to tickle your fancy. Their menu is comprised of a careful selection of hand-crafted, award-winning cheeses, crackers, honeycombs and so much more. They are dedicated to creating a flavourful and memorable experience for you and your guests. As a result of their excellence and dedication, The Winery has been rated as Trip Advisor’s Top 10 Wine Experiences worldwide, as well as in the Travellers’ Choice Awards.

Millbrook Resort

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A lifestyle resort framed by the Remarkables, Millbrook Resort sits on 650 acres of verdant land and is one of New Zealand’s premier golfing resorts. They’re equipped with any number of activities and function spaces, from an award-winning and relaxing spa to an active, on-site country club. For the last 26 years, Millbrook Resort has been the recipient of a host of awards and accolades, including (but not limited to): Top Three for New Zealand's Best Rated Hotel by Trivago in 2015 and 2017, Luxury Resort of the Year 2017 in New Zealand by LUX Magazine, New Zealand’s Leading Spa Resort at the World Travel Awards from 2012 to 2016, Wine Spectator's Award of  Excellence for 7 years in a row (2012-2019), and many, many more. Eminent and effortlessly welcoming, Millbrook Resort has distinguished itself as a top venue and destination in Queenstown, as well as New Zealand.

Lodge at the Hills

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Made for exclusive hire, Lodge at the Hills is a contemporary and lavish venue located on The Hills, a private golf course in Queenstown. The venue features a wine cellar dining room, art studio, and private grounds boasting an infinity pool, tennis court and immaculately manicured gardens. The Hills also sports an award-winning Clubhouse, designed by New Zealand architect Andrew Patterson and who wanted it to be “in total harmony with the landscape, polished off by functioning flawlessly.” The Clubhouse won the New Zealand Institute of Architects Supreme Award in 2008 and was also a finalist in the World Architecture Festival in the same year. For an extra touch of luxury, you can book private and award-winning chefs to cater for you and your guests at the Lodge.