Blanket Bay, a lakeside Glenorchy retreat that is well worthy of its formidable reputation for harmonising the most authentic, natural and exclusive experiences with boutique accommodation that follows the same blueprint. The fine dining cuisine here is also not to be underestimated!
Why you'll love it here
- The property is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and Relais & Chateaux
- Savour a mind-blowing setting on the edge of Lake Wakatipu amongst the towering Southern Alps
- Bungee jump, white water raft or jet boat through Shotover canyon in nearby Queenstown
- Explore the neighbouring sheep and cattle station on horseback, an experience only for Blanket Bay guests
Ricky
Travel Specialist
Included in your holiday
- Lounge passes and meet & greet service in UK airports
- Transfers to and from your hotel
- All flight luggage allowances
- Personal concierge service
- 24/7 assistance when travelling
- Full ATOL protection
Full accommodation information
Hotel information
Blanket Bay lodge lives and breathes the wild New Zealand landscape in which it sits, perched on the shores of Lake Wakatipu with views of Mount Earnslaw on one side and the Humboldt Mountain Range the other.
And though the small town of Glenorchy is just a few minutes away, your time at Blanket Bay feels as remote and intimate as any boutique South Island experience.
Away from the blissful luxury lodge itself for just a moment, the range of nature and adventure experiences is extraordinary. Nearby Milford Sound and Fiordland are two of the highlights of New Zealand and can be explored either on foot, horseback, bike, or from above in a private helicopter or hot air balloon ride.
The hiking around Lake Wakatipu and Mount Aspiring National Park is then a spectacular jaunt of forested or open trails passing waterfalls, rivers, glacial lakes, abundant bird species and all sorts of native foliage – it’s also unlikely you’ll see another soul during your walks!
Heli-skiing, a magnificent championship golf course within touching distance, wine tasting tours, rafting and kayaking down impossibly scenic river gorges, even bungee jumping or sky diving if you wish; Blanket Bay is a paradise for anyone visiting New Zealand who loves the great outdoors.
Back at home, the only thing that could possibly improve on these intoxicating South Island adventures, viewpoints and sights, is an eco-friendly luxury lodge clad in stone and exposed wooden beams, where cosy evenings are spent around the fireplace and nothing is too much trouble for the staff. Well that, and more is exactly what’s on offer while staying at Blanket Bay. Beginning with the service, it’s so seamless and natural that you may at times feel like you’re talking to an old friend while here.
Then there’s the interior design – an unashamed nod towards the explorer cabins of old with antiques and ornaments, bare wood beams and exposed stone, vintage furnishings and cute, hand-embroidered cushions or locally-inspired artworks in both the communal spaces and guestrooms alike. This is the epitome of understated sophistication, and your sense of place is never lost as a result.
So the ceilings are high and floors polished, fireplaces lit and Blanket Bay’s lakeside patio seems just too go to resist each evening, yet the story doesn’t stop there. A farm-to-fork fine dining restaurant, spa with a steam room, gym and Jacuzzi overlooking the mountains, a games room, reading area and laidback self-service bar with pool table, an outdoor swimming pool and sun loungers only complement everything else on offer here.
Blanket Bay, with its mountain and lake views, luxe facilities, fantastic staff and endless one-off experiences is a truly great, boutique adventure lodge in New Zealand.
Room Options
The 12 available guestrooms and suites at Blanket Bay bestow lucky guests with the same sense of refined rustic charm as the rest of the property, and they are all the better for it. So within each, though they vary in size you will find thick handmade rugs and quaint, stitched cushion covers, exposed wooden beams and a furnished balcony overlooking the lake. And, while retaining that authentic feel, a long list of creature comforts can also be found as standard such as super-king-size beds, a seating area, separate shower and deep soak bathtub, air-conditioning and Wi-Fi, Bluetooth speakers and satellite TV – some also flaunting a stone fireplace and private courtyard. Finally, the standalone Blanket Bay Villa and Owner’s Residence are in a league of their own and perfect if travelling to New Zealand as a family, thanks to their fully-equipped kitchens, multiple rooms, private courtyard and gardens too.
Lodge Room
A cosy 400sq ft delight of lake views, plentiful in-room extras and a deluxe bathroom featuring both a rain shower and bathtub, plus locally-inspired artworks on the wall and those charming high-beamed ceilings too.Lodge Suite
Larger than its room equivalent at 700sq ft, the Lodge Suite also comes with a stone fireplace and lounge area, walk-in closets and an even bigger bathroom; a wonderful Blanket Bay accommodation choice.Chalet Suite
Similar in size and layout to the Lodge Suite, this chalet option feels a little more private thanks to being housed in a standalone building with its own gardens and views, slightly away from the main lodge. All in-room amenities, a stone fireplace and enchanting lake views to be enjoyed through walls of glass or on your terrace remain the same however.Chalet Stateroom
The Chalet Stateroom combines a Chalet Villa with an additional living space, and the result is a luxe private abode spanning 1,400sq ft that includes two secluded courtyards, fireplaces and plenty of space to spread out in.Owner’s Residence
A two-bedroom escape on the grounds of Blanket Bay, this Owner’s Residence option is a veritable home-from-home of private gardens, a kitchen, living and dining rooms, multiple fireplaces and fantastic lake views; heavenly.Blanket Bay Villa
The Blanket Bay Villa is among the most unique, unforgettable accommodation options on New Zealand’s South Island. The villa itself is surrounded by its own gardens and a stone wall (for privacy) on three sides, though the lake unfolds in front of the fourth. There are then four king suites, a kitchen, lounge and bar area, two outdoor Jacuzzis, firepits and an al fresco dining patio plus another lounge, fireplace and dining room inside. This is a high-end farmhouse in its own right.Facilities/Amenities
Blanket Bay revels in its unbeatable setting, so the surrounding landscape is always a focus of any stay here, although you won’t be left short with what’s onsite either. For starters, there’s the spa, a soothing space of massage and traditional treatments, a steam room, gym and Jacuzzi overlooking the lake; plus an outdoor swimming pool and sun patio here too. Around the communal lounge areas, games room and self-service bar you’ll also find a pool table, cards, chess and a darts board; satellite TV and DVD player for fun evenings spent indoors, as well as Wi-Fi and a separate reading room complete with fireplace.
Activities & Entertainment
A world of outdoor activities and sightseeing tours around Lake Wakatipu and wider Glenorchy help make Blanket Bay the unforgettable New Zealand lodge it is. Sitting on the terrace after a wine tasting tour and admiring Wakatipu itself is enjoyable enough, though nearby you have everything from heli-skiing to jetboat and 4x4 off-road rides, sky-diving or hiking the trails of Routeburn, Milford, Greenstone and Hollyford, passing waterfalls, alpine forests and abundant wildlife along the way. The area has been an International Dark Sky Reserve since 2012 so it is an excellent place for stargazing. You can horse ride through the plains, visit Milford Sound and Fiordland by helicopter, play golf at the Jack’s Point championship course, go mountain biking, rafting or bungee jumping – if feeling brave enough!
Whether kayaking through an untouched gorge, hiking atop remote mountain passes or enjoying a round on one of the world’s most scenic golf courses – the excursions and experiences to be enjoyed at Blanket Bay lodge are some of the most memorable in all New Zealand.
New Zealand travel information
When to visit New Zealand
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Best time
Good time
Ok time
- Time zone: +13 GMT
- Flight time: 25 hours
- Recommended airlines: Air New Zealand, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airlines
- Currency: New Zealand Dollar
- Tipping guideline: Optional, but not expected
- Health considerations: No major health risks.
- Capital: Wellington
- Population: 5,269,938
- National languages: English, Maori
- Electricity and plugs: Type I (V), 230V
- Mobile phone coverage: Good coverage
- UK passport visa requirements: You need an ETA for New Zealand if you have a British passport - apply online
Want to know more?
Call our Travel Specialists for a chat with our New-zealand experts. They'll share their first-hand insights so you can find your perfect holiday.
Monday - Friday: 9am - 7:30pm
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Ricky
Travel Specialist
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