Check-in: Is intimately at a small desk in the lobby, refreshing drink in hand.
The style: Elegant and serene with the finest modern furnishings and personalised service. Nothing is too much trouble here.
The room: Suite 10 (there are only 10 in total) looks out over St Peter's Church and gardens and up towards the mountain ranges north of Queenstown. The large private balcony is a sun-trap. This is modern, five-star luxury and the Eames lounge chair and ottoman are the real deal - making it very hard not to just sit in front of the gas fire watching Sky Movies on the large flat-screen TV - which you can also see from the bathtub.
The bed: A super king with the crispest cottons, a pillow menu and a piece of housemade fudge at turn-down each evening.
Toiletries: Molton Brown.
Extras: Proper crisps, Whittaker's chocolate, Antipodes water and fresh, crisp, juicy apples all complimentary from the mini bar. Free wifi and MP3 connectivity.
Noise: You're in the heart of Queenstown's bustling bar, restaurant and cafe scene but you wouldn't know it - maybe because you've got the surround sound on the multimedia system pumping.
In the neighbourhood: Everything. This is as central as Queenstown gets.
Something to eat? With the exceptional No 5 Church Lane as the hotel restaurant, yes please. Their specialty is Mediterranean-style mezze platters loaded with local produce, much of which has been foraged and preserved by executive chef Will Eaglesfield. They will happily deliver anything from the restaurant and bar menu to your room.
Transport: Plenty of easy options from Queenstown Airport, with valet parking available.
Best bits: The house red wine is Surveyor Thompson pinot noir and there are stacks of the latest magazines and art books to paw over as you savour every smooth drop. Oh and the yoghurt with saffron and honey for breakfast.
Price: From $560 a night including breakfast.
Contact: thespirehotel.com
Would we return? We're already on our way.
