Fodor's Expert Review Blanket Bay

Near the end of a long road, 40 minutes from Queenstown, this imposing schist lodge faces Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by thousands of acres of sheep-station land. At the heart of the lodge is the Great Room, with a grand fireplace, vaulted wharf-timber beams, and antique wooden floors. Floor-to-ceiling windows open out to breathtaking views of the lake and Humboldt Mountains. All five lakeside rooms have a private balcony or terrace. The three suites have stone fireplaces and large bathrooms with a steam shower and a separate tub. The four chalets echo the main lodge's structure and luxuries. The decoration throughout is sumptuous; hues of maroon and gold complement native timbers and stone.