New Zealand has a special place in my heart and I think it’s fair to say that Queenstown is the jewel in its crown. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and set against the dramatic backdrop of the Southern Alps, Queenstown is renowned for its breathtaking scenery and it’s easy to see why it was chosen to depict the magical worlds of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
Millbrook Resort, an award winning five star luxury golf and lifestyle retreat, is set on five hundred acres of beautiful landscape just a short drive from Queenstown and boasts one of New Zealand’s premier golf courses (recently hosting the 100th New Zealand Open).
Originally a wheat farm, it was established during the Otago Gold Rush to feed hungry prospectors searching for gold in neighbouring Arrowtown. Millbrook's origins are evident throughout the Resort with many of the original buildings and machinery having been lovingly restored and incorporated into the design. The original flour mill is now the Millhouse Restaurant and the farm stables have been transformed into the Hole in One Café, where you can enjoy a light lunch or sweet treat following a round of golf.
The Resort has four restaurants in total offering everything from sushi and sake in the Kobe restaurant (a nod to Millbrook’s Japanese ownership), to delicious tapas, whiskies and local wines at Smithy’s Smoke House, its newest alfresco dining venue - perfect for relaxing on beanbags in the sun during the day or cosying up by the open fire pits for a nightcap.
Millbrook has a village feel and the accommodation is comprised of stand-alone deluxe studios, one and two bedroom suites, resort homes and luxury retreats. We stayed in one of the deluxe studios tucked away in a quiet corner of the Resort beside a gently meandering stream and overlooking the golf course.
Our room was very spacious and the separate bathroom featured a large bathtub and Elemis luxury skincare products. Standout features for me included the large walk-in wardrobe and gas fireplace in the lounge area. I love a room with a fireplace - there's something very indulgent about curling up beside the fire with a glass of pinot noir from one of the local wineries after a long enjoyable day of exploring .
If golfing is not your thing then you may, like me, prefer to visit Millbrook's award winning spa. Actually scrap that, you must visit the spa at Millbrook - do not leave without doing so, you will regret it! It is a World Luxury Spa Awards winner for a reason and I highly recommend the Perfect Pamper package - three hours and fifteen minutes of pure bliss. So blissful in fact that I forgot to take pictures in the spa itself, but here is a beautiful picture of the view from the spa that I took on my stroll back to our accommodation.
Millbrook has many wonderful features but it is the idyllic setting that really makes it special. It is pleasantville ... a tranquil setting where the ducks have right of way and the scenery takes your breath away at every turn. Make sure to bring your camera with you on your way to breakfast so that you can capture its beauty in the soft early morning light - just like my fiancé did in the shot below.
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