Experiencing the French "Art de Vivre."

The Boutique Reception

The Lobby Lounge

All Images Courtesy of Sofitel Queenstown

Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa opened in 2005 as the town's original 5-star hotel and after a $2-million upgrade in 2010, it's now looking sparklier and more sumptuous than ever. The whole ground floor has had a significant makeover and in addition to the classy new boutique check-in area, the Left Bank Cafe has opened its doors for breakfast and lunch in charming Parisian style. There's an antique Steinway piano in the foyer and Auckland designer, Stewart Harris of the award-winning design agency, Martin Hughes, had paid homage to Sofitel's French origins with a glamorous black on white scheme that's also associated with the fine fashion houses of Chanel and Dior.

Penthouse Suite Penthouse Lounge

Superior Suite

I've always been a fan of the Sofitel's elegant rooms.

There's an uncluttered calmness to them and the sensual, orchid-filled bathrooms (complete with LCD screens over the bathtub) are a perfect place to wind down after a day of Queenstown adventures.

Left Bank Cafe

Vie Restaurant

The other new addition, Left Bank Cafe, is named after that hallowed haunt of artists, writer and philosophers on the Seine. It's a smart sidewalk concept cafe that seats 70, part open French-kitchen and part parisian tea room in style. The walls feature 1930s-1950s art and the vintage butcher's table, window shutters and mosaic floor tiles were all shipped out from France. This is where you can start the day with a Moet & Chandon Champange breakfast, where you can sample the waffle and crepe menu, the breakfast buffet, or an a la carte menu. Lunch is equally tempting - roasted portabella mushrooms, Akaroa salmon risotte with parmesan and lemon or seared calamari to name a few. The in-house restaurant Vie takes over for dinner. Vie will be transformed this year as part of the second stage of the hotel's upgrade, which also includes the addition of a new bar, a private club lounge and a designer gymnasium.

Le Spa Steam Room

Le Spa Therapy Room

The new gymnasium will be the perfect partner for Le Spa - that gloriously indulgent, moody, suite of rooms that include cedar wood Jacuzzi, a traditional Hammam steam room, a Far infra red room and a range of Maori rituals and signature European massage and beauty treatments. Well why not? If you've come this far south, you deserve it.

Sofitel Queenstown Overlooking Duke Street

Sofitel Queenstown is New Zealand's only Sofitel Hotel.

And Sofitel is the only French luxury hotel brand with a presence on five continents, with 130 addresses in almost 40 countries. This equates to over 30,000 luxurious rooms worldwide.

It's plush all the way.

Treat yourself!

Let me make it easy for you - just click the email address below.

reservations@sofitelqueenstown.com

www.sofitel.com