Publication | The Post
Author | Michael Lamb
In a town bustling with après-skiers, high-fliers and fun seekers, Hulbert House is an oasis of heritage charm just a short walk from town.
And here ‘heritage’ certainly doesn’t mean ‘staid’: this darling survivor from old Queenstown has been given a bold makeover, with a riot of edgy decor, tempered with intriguing photographic reminders of the town’s lustrous past.
Let’s check-in for the night and see what gives.
THE PLACE
Perched about 100 metres up Queenstown Hill on Ballarat St, this gorgeous 1888 villa is a defiant presence over the town. And that crucial elevation means most of the rooms feature glorious Lake Wakatipu views.
THE SPACE
Hulbert House is a bit like a demure lady on the outside who, in the privacy of her own home, is an absolute firecracker.
The decor turns the design volume up to 11, with each of the six rooms done out in a different design palette.
In the communal Palm Lounge – which doubles as a breakfast room and après-ski lounge in front of the roaring fire – the Rousseau-esque wallpaper sets the tone, with a theatrical sense of occasion.
In amongst all this is a very cool, permanent exhibition of large format heritage Queenstown area photographs. These historical gems are a lovely touch, narrating Tāhuna’s early story as a rough and ready gold town
THE ROOM
Ours was the Malaghan Room (named for the original owner of the site, Michael Malaghan, an early mayor of Queenstown and noted hotel owner).
It features bold geometric wallpaper, a luxe chaise longue perched in the bay window (with triple glazing), fireplace and the crowning glory, the mighty Sleepyhead Elegance super king bed. Actually calling it a ‘bed’ seems way too basic – it’s more like a grand sleeping platform.
Uber comfortable, you’ll want at least one solid afternoon just lazing in its rich cotton excess, wrapped in your Hungarian goose duvet. This room has wonderful mountain views: you can watch the brand-new Skyline gondola gently ply its trade up and down from Bob’s Peak.