Queenstown offers coolest winter holiday escapes

by July 12, 2018

The snow has blanketed Queenstown peaks and the coolest winter escapes are out there for snow lovers of any age, stage and ability. Queenstown’s a mecca for skiers and snowboarders for a host of reasons, not least that its four closest ski areas deliver a wide range of terrain to suit everyone from beginners to…

Crowne Plaza Queenstown’s IHG winter sale ends on July 9 2018 so buyers need to get in quick, although the deal’s valid for stays until the end of October.

The winter sale package is ideal for hungry skiers who can fuel up for the day ahead with a free breakfast, while also saving up to 20% on accommodation.

With the winter package valid until the end of the ski season, a spring skiing trip is also on the cards for those who can’t make it these school holidays.

Queenstown is so compact it’s the perfect spot for a ski holiday. Visitors can be catching some big air in the morning and playing nine holes of golf or sipping on a world-renowned Pinot Noir in the afternoon.

Coronet Peak is perfect for First Tracks – skiing over sweet lines left by the overnight grooming team as the sun rises over the mountain. It’s also the only resort in the South Island with night skiing, meaning guests can enjoy Queenstown adventures during the day, head up in the afternoon to catch the sunset and experience the magic of ‘cheeky’ night ski sessions on Wednesday, Friday or Saturday nights.

Simply put, The Remarkables is just remarkable, for its great on and off-piste options accessed by the new Curvey Basin chair among others. Locals love to stop for a drink at the Ice Bar (halfway down the chairlift) where amazing views make it a great spot for must-have Instagram photos or just to have a beer.

Head ‘over the hill’ towards Wanaka and in less than an hour guests can be sampling the wide-open bowls of family-friendly Cardrona ski resort or having fun sampling classic and ski skating or snowshoeing at Snow Farm, New Zealand’s only Nordic ski area.

At the end of a day of winter fun, Crowne Plaza Queenstown invites guests to kick off skis and boots in their dedicated heated ski locker, relax with a mulled wine or cocktail and settle in for dinner at threesixty restaurant, taking their pick from a hearty new winter menu.

Over the school holidays, some guests just might be surprised with vouchers for hot chocolates at the world-renowned Patagonia Chocolates, or passes to go ice skating at the Queenstown Ice Arena.

If there’s one thing hotel guests rave about, it’s Crowne Plaza’s central location, perched on the shores of Lake Wakatipu with sweeping mountain views and yet less than a minute’s stroll to Queenstown’s bustling main streets.

Back at the hotel, the concierge team has the best advice going to help guests explore Queenstown like a local, and it’s Queenstown Winter Guide has plenty of inspiration for non-skiers too.

Ski shuttle buses stop right outside the hotel front door and daily snow reports keep guests up to speed with conditions throughout the day (and night!).

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School holiday fun at Holiday Inn Auckland Airport

by July 12, 2018

With New Zealand’s July school holidays on the horizon, an airport hotel is inviting families on a ‘mini-break’ before or after connecting to domestic or international destinations. The newly refurbished Holiday Inn Auckland Airport has some ‘big wallet-savings’ on offer for families travelling during the school holidays with the creation of its new Very Important…

There’s no such thing as an ‘I’m booooored’ day when youngsters can choose from paintballing at Lock N Load Adventures, rope climbing at Rocket Ropes, an afternoon of fun at Butterfly Creek or putting their way around Treasure Island Mini Golf.

All parents have to do is plan the day’s activity or activities and show the kids wristbands on arrival to receive the relevant discounts.

Holiday Inn Auckland Airport General Manager Scott Schaefer says the hotel is delighted to offer family-friendly travel solutions that are easy on the pocket.

“The V.I.K. programme gives the kids a great holiday, even before they get on the plane!” he says.

“Travelling during school holidays can be expensive so this, combined with our long-running guarantee that kids stay and eat for free, enables us to offer an affordable ‘fun for all the family’ getaway.

“From check-in to departure, there’s plenty to do to keep the family entertained in comfort while you wait for your next flight, which is why families love staying with us.

“Kids can expend all that energy on their adventure of choice, and of course refuel at Vapor Restaurant, while parents catch their breath with some much-needed ‘time out’.”

The hotel has recently completed a $3million refurbishment to transform the ground floor restaurant and bar, hotel lobby, reception and swimming pool into eye-catching yet welcoming spaces.

The hotel’s Vapor Restaurant is now a destination in its own right, taking diners on a culinary journey of native New Zealand in a Pacific holiday setting, renowned for its selection of buffet dishes suitable for all ages, taste buds and even the fussiest of eaters.

A giant chessboard, arcade games and welcome packages will keep the kids entertained and if they feel up to braving some cooler winter air temperatures, the pool is an oasis of calm amidst sub-tropical gardens.

This year’s Term 2 holidays also happen to neatly coincide with the hotel’s winter sale, so a budget-friendly family getaway is definitely on the cards.

Guests can save up to 20% off accommodation and free breakfast when booking before July 9 2018 for stays until October 30 2018.

Discover more about the V.I.K. programme in the latest campaign video here, or online here.

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Two new businesses at The Landing in Queenstown

by July 12, 2018

Queenstown’s The Landing is drawing in two new businesses as the popular boutique retail centre continues to expand its offering. Located in the district’s retail hub of Frankton, close to Remarkables Park Town Centre, Wakatipu High School and Queenstown Airport, The Landing is home to a wide range of established businesses that appeal to local,…

Growth is the focus for makeup artist Genevieve Silcock who moved to Queenstown from Auckland three years ago and established EVE Makeup Artistry as a mobile business servicing the wedding industry.

With two makeup artists doing about 750 makeup services a year, the business has been running at full capacity for the past 18 months, so Genevieve is delighted to be opening the salon in mid-July with a bigger team offering a wider range of services.

“We’re opening up in The Landing because it’s a fantastic location that’s popular with locals and is really well established, with plenty of free parking,” she says.

“Currently a large percentage of our clients are brides travelling to Queenstown to get married, so we will continue the mobile service as many prefer us to come to them in the comfort of their accommodation on their big day.

“However opening a salon at The Landing will enable us to grow our local clientele with a much larger range of treatments on offer from manicures and pedicures to waxing, spray tans, eyelash extensions, makeup and makeup lessons.”

EVE Beauty will also stock a selection of makeup, skincare and beauty accessories previously lacking in the Queenstown retail space.

Meanwhile, Vū Jewellers is set to open in September this year.

Business owners Anna and Trond Johansson and Claire Antill are delighted to be launching a contemporary jewellery boutique at The Landing.

Vū Jewellers will feature a full jewellery workshop instore to design, make and repair jewellery.

As sister company to long-established Goldfields Jewellers in central Queenstown, the team will bring their artistic talents to bespoke handmade commissions using everything from precious metals and beautiful gemstones to funky silver jewellery.

They delight in taking old, unused or inherited jewellery and turning it into unique modern designs.

“We specialise in everything from modern takes on classic diamond rings to contemporary wearable art,” says Claire.

“There will be chunky silver bangles, funky rings, pendants and dangly earrings sitting alongside delicate gold and platinum pieces that show off the precious gemstones we’ve collected from around the world.”

Vū Jewellers will also offer valuations, repairs and full servicing for jewellery and watches.

Other businesses at The Landing include the hugely successful Odelay Café and Zambrero restaurant offering excellent food and beverage, and a range of interiors, fashion, gift, beauty, automotive and fitness offerings.

The surrounding Remarkables Park area continues to bring more people to the area thanks to the just completed 127-apartment Wyndham Garden Queenstown, the Toru Apartments (230 units) currently under construction and the new Ramada Kawarau River Hotel & Apartments to follow.

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Wanaka’s Treble Cone ski area celebrates the start of winter on opening day

by June 25, 2018

Keen skiers and snowboarders came from near and far to help Wanaka’s beloved Treble Cone ski area celebrate the start of winter today (Saturday June 23). Close to thirty riders arrived at the crack of dawn to ensure they were first on the Home Basin Express lift when the gates opened at 9am sharp. The…

Excited for the season ahead, Mike Handford was stoked to be on the first chair.

“What a day to open! I’m looking forward to the bluebird day ahead and hanging out with the crew,” he says.

“I’ve been riding Treble Cone for nine years and love the terrain, people and epic sunrises.”

And the wait was worth it, as earlybird riders were rewarded with a glorious sunrise and cool clear conditions over Treble Cone’s Home and Saddle Basins.

The ski area opened five days early thanks to healthy pre-season snowfalls and General Manager Toby Arnott said staff were “pumped” to welcome their first guests of the season.

“The atmosphere’s been amazing this morning and there was a real sense of celebration in the air as we enjoyed some free Amisfield bubbles and welcomed back our loyal season pass holders with breakfast rolls,” he says.

“Anyone who’s ridden at TC over the years knows that this is an experience well worth waiting for, because as the largest ski area in the South Island we’ve got a massive 700m of vertical and some of the country’s longest groomed trails.

“If you want to go out and play, there are backcountry areas still within the ski area boundaries that are a playground of open faces, natural half pipes and fun drops.

“With 550ha of ski terrain, it’s no wonder our slopes are renowned for being wide open and uncrowded, and wherever you are on the mountain there are outstanding views of Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps.”

TC’s opening has coincided with a cold snap that’s set to deliver a significant snowfall over the next two days.

“We couldn’t hope for a better start to our season,” says Toby.

All mountain facilities will operate from today onwards including rentals, lessons and a full F&B service with a new menu delighting hungry guests.

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