I didn’t always see Queenstown for what it truly is.

In my 30s, I was living here, surrounded by the mountains, the stillness, and the sheer beauty that people travel halfway across the world to experience. But like so many who grow up in a place of such natural magnificence, I took it for granted. It wasn’t until I left, living overseas, working long hours, and travelling far and wide, that I began to understand just how rare this landscape is.

Coming home, I saw Queenstown with new eyes. The mountains weren’t just a backdrop anymore; they felt alive, anchoring everything around them. The lake wasn’t just water; it was a mirror of the seasons, a constant reminder of nature’s rhythm. That shift in perspective became the foundation for what would eventually become Waimarino Lodge.

The Vision

From the beginning, the goal wasn’t to build just another luxury lodge. Queenstown already offers incredible places to stay, but I wasn’t chasing status. I was chasing soul.

Waimarino Lodge is built on the belief that luxury should feel human, not grandiose. For me, that meant design that disappears into the landscape, not architecture that tries to shout louder than the mountains. It meant creating spaces where guests could gather around a fire after a day in the snow, wake to the stillness of the lake, and enjoy a glass of wine without needing anything more than the view in front of them.

The design is grounded in Queenstown itself, its stillness, its raw edges, its balance of strength and calm. Every material, texture and layout was chosen with intention. Stone, timber, and glass open each room to the outdoors. The interiors are warm, grounded and tactile. Fire is central, not only as a design element but as a symbol of hospitality and gathering, of memory and comfort.

Why Take on a Challenge Like This?

To be honest, building Waimarino Lodge has been the hardest project of my life. But it’s also the most meaningful.

For years, I worked on construction sites, laying concrete, working alongside trades, learning each layer of what makes a building function. That experience wasn’t just technical. It taught me resilience, and it gave me a hands-on understanding of what it takes to bring a vision to life.

Waimarino was never going to be simple. The site is complex. The vision was ambitious. We’ve faced hurdles that would have derailed a more conventional project including weather challenges, approvals, delays, and costs. There were moments I wondered if I had taken on too much.

But every time I stood on that site and looked out over the lake, I remembered why I started. This isn’t just a build. It’s a tribute. To Queenstown. To stillness. To doing things properly, even when it’s hard.

Pushing Through the Obstacles

There’s no version of this lodge that came easy. But that’s part of what makes it special.

We’ve faced everything from budget constraints to global disruptions to changes in regulation and supply chains. At every point, we’ve had to pause, adapt and recommit to the original vision. Sometimes that’s meant waiting longer. Sometimes it’s meant getting creative. But never once have we taken the shortcut.

What’s kept me going is knowing that Waimarino Lodge is more than a commercial venture. It’s about place. Legacy. Creating something that future generations can enjoy. A place that feels timeless, not trend-driven. A place that feels like it has always been here, just waiting to be found.

A Lodge That Belongs to the Landscape

Waimarino isn’t built to dominate the land. It’s built to belong to it.

From the rooflines to the native planting, everything has been considered. We’ve worked with local makers, artisans, and suppliers to bring the vision to life with authenticity, not excess. Even the furniture has been curated to feel like it belongs in the landscape, solid, warm, and grounding.

This lodge is not about showing off. It’s about slowing down. Looking up. Breathing in. And remembering that nature is the greatest luxury we have.

Looking Ahead - What Waimarino Will Offer

As we move toward opening, I often picture our future guests arriving after a long journey, stepping out onto the deck, and taking in that view for the first time. The stillness. The mountains. The firelight.

Waimarino is a place for people who are looking for more than just a getaway. It’s for those who crave space, solitude, and soulful connection. It’s for couples who want to escape, families who want to reconnect, and travellers who want to experience Queenstown in a deeper way.

We’re building something intimate, intentional, and quietly extraordinary.

Still waters run deep.