I have long recommended Eichardt’s Private Hotel, housed within a striking 19th-century building on the Queenstown waterfront, overlooking picturesque Lake Wakatipu. (Albert Eichardt became sole proprietor of the hotel in 1869.) At present, the property comprises five stylish and exceptionally comfortable suites with separate living rooms and gas fireplaces. In addition, there are four split-level, two-bedroom suites in the Lake Front Apartments, and a self-contained three-bedroom villa. I have always been particularly fond of the hotel bar, where the lunchtime tapas menu, which includes an exceptional seafood chowder, is a local institution.