7 days in... Queenstown, NZ

Located in the Central Otago region of the south island of New Zealand, the cosmopolitan city of Queenstown holds its own as a destination worthy of at least a solid week to explore and immerse yourself.

Flying into to Queenstown airport provides an unforgettable view. as the plane swoops and turns and ploughs through the clouds to reveal such stunning scenes of fjord like mountains and lakes, and. rivers and streams flowing milky-green from the melted snow.

... and this is all before you even land. Wait til you touch down!

The Hotel St Mortitz by M Gallery was our hotel of choice for the week, and the "luxe comfort" styling, together with their signature scent - New York by locals Miller Rd Fragrances - made the stay absolute bliss.

Every morning we sat by the floor to ceiling windows with views across the lake to Queenstown Gardens and the iconic Remarkables forming a majestic backdrop to the picture perfect panoramic windows.

My one complaint; The lounge area fireplace was gas, and was not working... One thing on my list I couldn't scratch off was a good glass of red around the fireplace, though their apple pie Martini's surely made up for that.

Two incredible fireplaces were enjoyed during our week:

Wakatipu Grill is the Hilton's signature restaurant on the lakeshore and boasts the circular fireplace to cosy around, with spectacular lake views.

The other was at Queenstown's wine and food hot spot, Ayrbun Estate.

Great days out:

I'd recommend a day just outside of town, to include a combination of thrills and spills:

• Onsen Japanese hot baths

• Shotover Jet Boat ride

• Deer Park drive through and animal feed

A Day in the City:

If you follow the trends on social media, then you will be heading for the institute that is, all things Fergberger. Hamburgers, Pies, Bakery, Ice Creams... you name, they do it, and the queue will be ridiculously long.

On the weekends you have the food markets on by the lake, with everything from a Hangi, to freshly shucked Oysters, tacos, to food from every Asian region and beyond.

Head up to the Skyline via Gondola, for a bird's eye view of the city, and a race down the hill, Super Mario kart-style...

Other fantastic day trips from Queenstown are:

• Lake Wanaka and the old gold mining town of Arrowtown

• Ayrburn Estate and Central Otago wineries

• a full day trip to Milford Sound with some of the most breathtaking mountain views you will ever see, along the way.

Our Accommodation:

Overall luxe level 8.5/10

Breakfast 9/10

Dinner 7/10

Room Service N/A

Check in 8/10

Location 9/10

Ambience 8/10

Room (Lakeview Balcony) 8/10

Have you stayed in Queenstown, New Zealand?

Highlights checklist:

• Lake Wanaka

• Ayrburn Estate

• Milford Sound

• The Hilton Queenstown Resort and Spa - fireplace - catch ferry

• Coronet Peak

• The Remarkables

• M Gallery St Mortitz Hotel

• Miller Road Fragrances

• Hotel Roko

• Deer Park

• Skyline

• Onsen Hot Spa