New Zealand’s small family of Exclusive Qualmark-rated properties has grown – Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa now ranks amongst New Zealand’s ten most luxurious places to stay.

The Exclusive grade is the highest mark of New Zealand Tourism’s official quality assurance system. Up until now only seven North Island accommodation providers and two in the South Island have had the honour of calling themselves Exclusive, but Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa has joined the prestigious club.

Qualmark Exclusive properties are truly the crème de la crème. Set in stunning locations, they offer intimate, highly individual accommodation with impeccable service, facilities and activities. To be eligible, properties have to achieve a five-star grade of 95% or better and then have to meet additional requirements such as an established track record, stability of management, undertaking international marketing and employing highly qualified staff.

Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa General Manager Wouter De Graaf says: “Our hotel certainly meets the definition of a Qualmark Exclusive hotel to the letter – intimate, elegant and sophisticated, offering true privacy aimed at the luxury traveller. Since […] our recent multi-million renovation in 2010 we’ve set out to benchmark a new level of hotel luxury for the Central Otago region to aspire to.” The renovation works resulted in a transformed grand ground floor, newly launched Left Bank Café and revolutionised lounge, lobby and reception.

The Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa is proud to be the very first Qualmark Exclusive hotel, as so far only luxury lodges have managed to achieve the top rating. Furthermore, the luxury hotel also holds Enviro-Gold status, a tribute to Sofitel’s environmental performance.