Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / New Zealand / Queenstown / Rosewood Matakauri
Rosewood Matakauri
Queenstown, New Zealand · Rosewood · Grand Luxury
Rosewood Matakauri was the project that completed Julian Robertson's New Zealand trifecta. Robertson and his son Jay chose the site after the TSS Earnslaw — Lake Wakatipu's 1912 coal-fired steamship — cruised into view during a scouting visit. The existing circa-2000 lodge was purchased in 2009, fully rebuilt by architects Sumich Chaplin with Virginia Fisher interiors in schist stone and cedar, and reopened in 2010 with walls of glass framing 180-degree views of the Remarkables, Cecil, and Walter Peaks. It joined the Rosewood portfolio in December 2023, becoming the brand's first New Zealand address.
- 13 rooms
- Opened 2000
- Neighborhood: Closeburn 9371
- Rooms from 915 sq ft (85 m²)
- Architect: Sumich Chaplin
- Interiors: Virginia Fisher
About Rosewood Matakauri
- Robertson chose the Matakauri site specifically because the historic TSS Earnslaw — Lake Wakatipu's coal-fired 1912 steamship, still in service today — sailed into view during his first site visit, confirming the location's singular sense of place.
- The lodge is constructed from local schist stone with cedar cladding and peaked rooflines designed to echo the Remarkables mountain range directly across the lake — architecture intended to blend into, rather than compete with, the landscape.
- Rosewood Matakauri became Rosewood Hotels & Resorts' first New Zealand property when it joined the portfolio in December 2023, along with Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers — marking Rosewood's entry into the entire Oceania region simultaneously.
- An on-site restaurant serves modern European cuisine.
- The smallest published suite or villa start at 915 sq ft (85 m²).
History
Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu amid native bush, Rosewood Matakauri offers stunning 180-degree views of the lake and the snowcapped Remarkables mountains. Originally built around 2000, it was acquired in 2009 by Julian Robertson, extensively renovated over 18 months, and reopened in late 2010 as a luxury lodge blending contemporary New Zealand architecture with natural materials. A four-bedroom villa was added in 2014, and it joined Rosewood Hotels in December 2023.
The setting
16 km from Queenstown Airport.
Restaurants and bars
- The Dining Room — Restaurant · Modern New Zealand cuisine · Chef Corey Hume
- Remarkables Terrace — Restaurant · Alfresco
Experiences
- Night Sky Experience / Stargazing — Venture into the night sky with an experienced guide and uncover the wonders of the Southern Hemisphere's celestial tapestry.
- Artists In Residence — Artist In Residence programme invites talented artists to the lodge, drawing inspiration from the Queenstown landscape.
- Art and Design Philosophy — A collection of New Zealand art invites reflection, revealing culture through layers of colour and craft.
- The Culinary Story Of Central Otago — Dishes rooted in daily-harvested local produce speak to the taste and natural beauty of Central Otago.
- The Legend of Matakauri — A brave warrior, a sleeping giant: cultural stories shape the legend and landscape of Queenstown.
- Snow Sports Are in Our DNA — Snow sports in Queenstown draw worldwide thrill-seekers to a destination of cinematic alpine beauty.
Amenities
- spa
- fitness centre
- heated outdoor pool
- jacuzzi
- sauna
- heli tours
- private beach/jetty
- walking trails
- Infinity pool
Awards
- Forbes Travel Guide Recommended (2026)
- MICHELIN Two Keys (2026)
- DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards Best New Zealand Hotels #10 (2025)
- One Michelin Key (2025)
- Travel + Leisure’s Luxury Awards Asia Best Country Hotel + Lodge in New Zealand #3 (2025)
- Travel + Leisure’s Luxury Awards Asia Best Hotel Spa in New Zealand #4 (2025)
- Travel + Leisure’s Luxury Awards Asia Pacific New Zealand’s Best Country Hotel Lodges #2 (2024)
- Travel + Leisure’s Luxury Awards Asia Pacific New Zealand’s Best Hotel Spa #1 (2024)
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More Rosewood hotels
- Rosewood Cape Kidnappers — Te Awanga, New Zealand · Grand Luxury
- Rosewood Kauri Cliffs — Matauri Bay, New Zealand · Grand Luxury
- Castiglion del Bosco, A Rosewood Hotel — Montalcino, Italy · Apex Luxury
- Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel — Paris, France · Apex Luxury
- Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort — Kailua-Kona, United States · Apex Luxury
- Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort — Los Cabos, Mexico · Apex Luxury
More hotels in Queenstown
- Eichardt's Private Hotel — Independent · High Luxury
- Roki Collection Queenstown — Independent · High Luxury
- Stoneridge Estate — Independent · High Luxury
- Hotel St Moritz Queenstown - MGallery Collection — MGallery · Core Luxury
- QT Queenstown — QT Hotels & Resorts · Core Luxury
- Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa — Sofitel · Core Luxury
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