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Hotels

Eichardt's Private Hotel The five suites at this tiny three-year-old hotel—each with a fireplace and Italian marble bath—are some of the region's most luxurious. The bar is a big draw too; it offers top local bottlings and a small, delicious menu. DETAILS Doubles from $890; Marine Parade, Queenstown; 011-64-3-441-0450.

Punatapu Built on a 250-acre property along Lake Wakatipu, this lodge has five elegant suites filled with owners Sue and Pat Farry's custom-made iron and wood furniture. Guests learn to make dishes like poached koura (local freshwater crayfish) at the on-site cooking school. DETAILS Doubles from $460; Glenorchy Rd., Queenstown; 011-64-3-442-6624.

Blanket Bay Owned by former Levi Strauss president Tom Tusher, five-year-old Blanket Bay is one of the world's most beautiful and isolated lodges. All rooms have mountain and lake views. In the restaurant, talented chef Jason Dell serves a cosmopolitan menu of dishes like orecchiette with mushrooms, pistachio crumble and creamed savoy cabbage. The lodge is about a half-hour drive from Queenstown. DETAILS Doubles from $890; Glenorchy Rd., Glenorchy; 011-64-3-442-9442.

Restaurants

The Bathhouse A café during the day, the Bathhouse turns into a low-lit restaurant at night. Chef-owner Joff Bertram's dinner menu might include duck-liver parfait with walnut brioche and tomato-thyme confit, or quail with wild-rabbit stuffing. DETAILS 28 Marine Parade, Queenstown; 011-64-3-442-5625.

The Postmaster's House Restaurant This new restaurant is in a historic wood cottage in Arrowtown, about 20 minutes' drive from Queenstown. Chef James Flint uses local ingredients in dishes like seared scallops with vanilla-Chardonnay dressing. The wine list has bottles from nearby Felton Road and Gibbston Valley wineries. DETAILS 54 Buckingham St., Arrowtown; 011-64-3-442-0991.

Joe's Garage Locals pack this café for its terrific coffee and snacks like bruschetta with tomatoes, avocado and pesto. Actor Sam Neill (who owns the nearby Two Paddocks vineyard) is a regular. DETAILS 15 Camp St., Queenstown; 011-64-3-442-5282. Arrow Lane, Arrowtown; 011-64-3-442-1116.

—Lauraine Jacobs