Blanket Bay Lodge

Blanket Bay Lodge sits on the north shore of Lake Wakatipu approximately 45 kilometres from Queenstown, at the point where the glacial lake meets the Dart and Rees river valleys and the wilderness that leads into Mount Aspiring National Park. The location is reached by private road and is accessible from Queenstown by a 45-minute road journey or a short helicopter flight—an approach that signals the lodge's deliberate remoteness. The surrounding peaks, particularly those of the Richardson Range, are visible across the water from every public space and most accommodation.

The main lodge building and supporting structures were built in the late 1990s using schist stone quarried locally and aged timber beams, a design language that references both the alpine vernacular and the great lodge traditions of North America and East Africa. The interiors feature open fireplaces, leather furniture, antler chandeliers, and a wine cellar carved into the hillside, creating a distinctively grand but unpretentious atmosphere. Total capacity is limited to approximately 24 guests across 11 suites and chalets, preserving the intimacy that defines the experience.

Accommodation categories include lodge suites in the main building, private stand-alone chalets with lake views, and the Grand Chalet, a multi-room private villa suitable for families or small groups. All rooms feature stone fireplaces, hand-crafted furniture, soaking tubs, and curated New Zealand art. Rates are all-inclusive, encompassing all meals, non-alcoholic beverages, and a programme of guided activities.

Dining at Blanket Bay centres on the lodge's kitchen, which produces three-course dinners drawing on South Island seafood, grass-fed lamb, and locally grown produce. The wine programme is substantial, with cellar selections spanning New Zealand's premier growing regions alongside international labels. Breakfast and lunch are served with equivalent care.

The guided activity programme includes fly fishing on private runs of the Dart and Rees rivers, hiking on trails radiating into the national park, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Wakatipu, horse trekking, clay target shooting, and helicopter excursions to remote alpine terrain. A dedicated guide team—typically three or four specialists—accompanies activities and shapes itineraries around guest interests. Service is managed by a resident lodge manager who maintains the ratios and personalisation expected at the top tier of the New Zealand luxury lodge category.