CASTING CALL
Casting Call - Luxury Travel Magazine
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Casting Call | |||||
| By: Merry Kirkwood, Issue 29- Summer 2007 | |||||
| (New Zealand- Queenstown) | |||||
| SEARCHING FOR FRESH TALENT IN THE WEEKEND-AWAY STAKES? CHOOSE NEW ZEALAND’S QUEENSTOWN. | |||||
 Once, long ago, on the southern of two spectacular island not so far away, jagged-topped snow-bound mountains formed, reaching dramatically skywards. A patchwork of grassy plains nestled below, awash with the pinks and purples of lupin and wild thyme each Spring, and the golden hues of poplars and Douglas Firs every Fall. An expansive lake dominated the vista, fed by the icy creeks draining from the melting snow and ice.In the late 1990s and early this century, NZ film maker Peter Jackson and his visionary team chose, and then captured, this scenery as part of the now-famous cinematic trilogy. Drawing on both J.R.R Tolkien’s Middle-earth Lord of the Rings storyline, and on the extreme contours of the landscape, a small part of southern NZ has been showcased to the world, on the big screen at least. Tucked neatly into one sun-drenched corner of this area, (now only an hour’s flight from Auckland and around three hours direct from Sydney and Melbourne) Queenstown blossomed from its original gold-town beginnings, to become a place to settle and explore, also perfect for visitors to down tools and rejuvenate at the end of a busy day. Like many of the world’s best locations, Queenstown defies easy description – the sheer length, breadth, height and power of the Remarkables Mountains and their surrounds is breathtaking. More than most, this is a ‘must see for yourself’ location. Ideally placed in the midst of nature’s fine handiwork, the recently completed Azur, (a nine-villa luxury creation owned by Anthony Ross and his wife, and Nejat Sarp) is touched with the creative knowledge gleaned from the owners’ collective time spent in hotel hospitality. This property is a balance: offering a grandstand view of the best of Queenstown’s natural environment (an elevated expensive lake setting and the soaring height of the Remarkables in the background), with easy access to the raft of fabulous activities on offer nearby. While cocooned in your villa, you can savour the private world Azur created to the complement the scenery. You are ringed by carefully nurtured pines that somehow manage to shield out prying eyes, while letting you feel you have THE best view in town. I dare any guest to by-pass a dip in the two-person spa bath with full glass windows revealing a 180 degree vista. (To be honest, bath-time here is a personal highlight in a mix of very fine bathtubs indeed). Everywhere you turn you can see that the creators of this hideaway have an eye for detail. There is a super king sized bed, fine white linen, a timber deck to soak up the outlook, and cleverly orientated expanses of glass which mean you can dress, sit, gaze, bath and lounge, without ever once having to drag yourself from the view. Azur is an experience in pure luxury, inside and out. Nightfall – though pretty – is a pause in proceedings, as the spectacular vista fades from view. When was the last time you mourned the loss of light at day’s end? Azur’s strength to its link with all that Queenstown has to offer. It has a constantly changing menu of suggested experiences and nothing is too difficult to organise. For dining think Saffron, The Bathhouse, The Bunker and Bombay Palace; for activities, horse riding, an invigorating Kawarau Jet ride, a Heliworks helicopter ride to some of the more far flung sights, golfing, fishing, or a 4WD tour with Nomad safaris, which can search out some of the film maker Peter Jackson’s chosen locations. The heart of the town is also blessed with recently-opened quality boutique accommodation notably The Spire, with its cutting-edge urban style. Sitting on Church Lane, surrounded by groovy bars, delightful shops and restaurants, each of the ten rooms encompasses a mix of high-tech chic, with spacious balconies, stone-clad fireplaces, fine services and a 16-seat compact restaurant serving excellent degustation menu created by chef Rex Morgan (who is also in charge of the cuisine onboard Air New Zealand flights). The Spire’s location mean you can wander the streets to take in the sights, but don’t miss the chance to step outside the city limits to taste a local tipple or two. What better way than by chauffeur-driven Jag? Classic Jaguar Limousine’s offer a full charter service plus a range of Queenstown based tours. Local wines are a burgeoning business, especially the pinot noirs. Not to be missed are the Amisfield Winery with its spectacular lunch venue bistro and its innovative ‘trust the chef’ menu; Peregrine wines and its groovy cellar door-come-outside stage/venue; Chard Farm, and Gibbston Valley with its underground cellar-cave. Over time, Queenstown and Central Otago have become synonymous with skiing and adrenalin-pumping accoutrements – fabulous ski runs, bungy jumping opportunities, and to-die-for panorama’s – but this southern township is packed with other natural (and now also luxury man-made) delights and indulgences. Whisk yourself away for a weekend there this Autumn, or next Spring. You might jus stumble across a ‘retired’ Ork or two, waiting on their next call up. | |||||
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