IHG Hotels & Resorts has opened voco Queenstown, completing the repositioning of the former Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown into the group’s premium upscale voco brand.
Developer, owner and asset manager Pro-invest Group and operator Connect Hospitality partnered with IHG on the project, first announced in February. The conversion aligns the centrally located asset with a premium brand proposition, capitalising on strong market conditions and sustained demand for quality accommodation in the visitor destination.
“Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s most dynamic hotel markets, and voco is a brand that is well suited to the destination,” IHG Hotels & Resorts Australasia & Pacific managing director Matt Tripolone said. “We’re excited to introduce New Zealand’s second voco hotel, following the brand’s debut in Auckland, and welcome guests to experience everything this exceptional destination has to offer.”
Full refurbishment
Space Studios led the hotel’s transition to voco, which spans 227 guestrooms and suites as well as the lobby and food and beverage spaces. Key upgrades include:
- A redesigned lobby featuring fireplaces, voco’s signature scent and a curated playlist
- A new restaurant and bar, Mozzarella & Co., built around a Mediterranean-meets-South Island concept with a show kitchen, wood-fired pizza oven, in-house bakery and chef’s table experience
- Outdoor terrace and lounge areas centred on firepits, plus a private dining room for up to 14 guests
- New artwork and textured walls throughout corridors, reflecting the hotel’s alpine surroundings
Located on the corner of Stanley and Sydney Streets, voco Queenstown sits within walking distance of the lakefront and the town’s main attractions, with onsite parking available. Its location also positions it as a base for skiing at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Cardrona, as well as day trips to Milford Sound.
