Queenstown in New Zealand is set to welcome a 227-key Holiday Inn Express.

IHG’s Holiday Inn Express brand has landed in New Zealand with the opening of a McAuliffe Stevens-designed newbuild hotel overlooking Lake Wakatipu.

Holiday Inn Express, IHG’s fastest-growing hotel brand in terms of number of projects currently in its pipeline, has entered New Zealand with the launch of a property in the popular resort town of Queenstown. We find out more about this impressive scheme.

A new hub for outdoor adventurers

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown has been opened in partnership with Pro-invest Group. The hotel, located on the corner of Stanley and Sydney Streets, represents Pro-invest Group’s sixth Holiday Inn Express property since 2016.

Designed by local architectural practice McAuliffe Stevens, it features 227 contemporary rooms and spacious suites, the latter being a first for Holiday Inn in Australia and New Zealand. Its design features and colour palette reflect the hotel’s natural surroundings and evoke the Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu, which guests can see from their rooms.

The hotel opened its doors just in time for ski season, and will doubtless be a hotspot for outdoor enthusiasts since it offers direct access to the popular ski destinations of Coronet Peak, Remarkables, Cardrona and Treble Cone. Several other attractions – such as the Skyline gondola, the Unesco World Heritage Site of Milford Sound and Queenstown’s city centre with its famous dining precinct – are also close by.

Ronald Barrott, Pro-invest Group chief executive officer, said: “We are committed to expanding the Holiday Inn Express brand in New Zealand and we’re confident that Queenstown’s reputation as a premier destination makes it the ideal place to start.

“Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown has a stylish alpine vibe, complete with an outdoor lounge with a fire pit. It’s also equipped with the smart, simple rooms and features business and leisure travellers know and love.”

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Making hotel stays more sustainable

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown boasts several innovations to boost sustainability.

For example, all air expelled by the property passes through a heat recovery plant, which then transfers energy across to incoming fresh air – drastically reducing total energy consumption. The hotel will also offer IHG’s A Greener Stay initiative, enabling guests to opt out of housekeeping services in exchange for Rewards Club points.

Leanne Harwood, managing director, IHG Australasia & Japan, said that the hotel’s opening represents “a wonderful addition to this vibrant and much-loved town” and a testament to the company’s strong, ongoing partnership with Pro-invest Group.

She added: “I have no doubt that the brand’s unique approach to smart travel, essential facilities, sustainability and fresh energy will make it a staple for holiday-goers for many years to come.”