An ultra-exclusive wilderness lodge on the shores of Lake Wakatipu near Glenorchy, Blanket Bay is consistently rated among the world's best lodges. Guests have access to the private beach, helicopter excursions, fishing, and gourmet dining with exceptional wine lists.
Blanket Bay Lodge sits on a private peninsula on the shores of Lake Wakatipu near Glenorchy, around 45 kilometres (roughly 45 minutes by road, or a short scenic helicopter flight) from Queenstown, at the edge of the Mount Aspiring and Fiordland wilderness. The lodge is built in a grand alpine-lodge style with vaulted timber ceilings, exposed beams, and a great room centred on a double-sided stone fireplace, designed to feel like an exclusive private estate rather than a hotel. Accommodation ranges from lodge suites to freestanding chalets and a private villa, each with king beds, log fires, and lake or mountain views, with several rooms featuring private outdoor spa pools. Dining is all-inclusive and produced in-house, with a daily-changing menu built around New Zealand lamb, beef, and seafood paired from an extensive wine cellar, served in the dining room or by the fire. The lodge has a spa with treatment rooms and a heated pool, plus a private beach, jetty, and helicopter pad used for guided fishing, horse trekking, mountain biking, and scenic flights. Service is built entirely around personalised, all-inclusive hospitality — a dedicated host and activities team plan each day's itinerary — making it suited to luxury travellers, honeymooners, and guests seeking an exclusive, fully managed wilderness retreat rather than independent sightseeing.
Amenities
- Private beach
- Helicopter access
- All-inclusive dining
- Fly fishing
- Horse trekking
- Spa
- Private jetty
- Mountain biking
- Wildlife guides
Location
Blanket Bay Road, Glenorchy 9372
-44.9061, 168.4107 View on map
Highlights
- Private lakeside peninsula near Glenorchy with helicopter access
- All-inclusive gourmet dining built around New Zealand produce and an extensive wine cellar
- Private beach, jetty, and helipad used for guided fishing, riding, and scenic flights
- On-site spa, heated pool, and several rooms with private outdoor spa pools
Tips for visiting
- Rates are fully all-inclusive — meals, most activities, and some transfers are covered
- Minimum stays of two to three nights typically apply
- Book many months in advance; the lodge has very limited rooms
- Helicopter transfer from Queenstown is faster and more scenic than the 45-minute drive