Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / New Zealand / Glenorchy / Blanket Bay
Blanket Bay
Glenorchy, New Zealand · Independent · Grand Luxury
Former Levi Strauss president Tom Tusher and wife Pauline bought 55 hectares on Wyuna Station near Glenorchy in 1972 and waited 25 years before opening Blanket Bay in December 1999 as the South Island's first 'super lodge.' Timbers came from historic New Zealand and Australian bridges and wharves, Robin Williams's early visit reportedly led to a no-children policy, and Sir Ian McKellen was among the first guests.
- 13 rooms
- Opened 1999
- Neighborhood: Glenorchy Queenstown Road
- Rooms from 400 sq ft (37 m²)
About Blanket Bay
- First guests arrived on 16 December 1999, after a flood delayed opening, making it the South Island's first 'super lodge.'
- Its name recalls blanket-roofed huts where Maori shearers slept 150 years ago on the William Rees sheep run.
- The lodge's timbers came from historic New Zealand and Australian bridges and wharves, paired with local schist.
- Entry-level rooms start at 400 sq ft (37 m²).
History
American Tom Tusher, a former president of Levi Strauss, and his wife Pauline bought 55 hectares of land on Wyuna Station near Glenorchy in 1972 and sat on it for some 25 years before building the lodge in 1999 over an 18-month construction. The first guests arrived on 16 December 1999, after a 1999 flood delayed the opening, and it became the South Island's first 'super lodge'.
The name recalls the blanket-roofed huts where Maori shearers slept some 150 years ago on the William Rees sheep run. Early guests included Robin Williams - whose visit reportedly led to a no-children policy - and Sir Ian McKellen. The lodge's timbers came from historic New Zealand and Australian bridges and wharves, paired with local schist.
The setting
1 km from Glenorchy Golf Club.
Amenities
- Spa
- Pool
- Hot tub
- Fitness center
- Pet-friendly
Awards
- MICHELIN Two Keys (2026)
Open Blanket Bay in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
More hotels in Glenorchy
- Aro Hā Wellness Retreat — Independent · Core Luxury