Remarkables, meet Maison Mumm.
As a billionaires' bolthole and playground for party-going tourists, Queenstown is no stranger to boozy nights; but for the month of April the mountains will truly be alive with the sound of popping bottles as holidaymakers enjoy QT Hotels' newest offering, the Champagne Parlour.
Partnering with the prestigious champagne house G.H. Mumm, QT Queenstown is offering effervescence enthusiasts a chic champers-themed experience in celebration of Mumm Grand Cordon Rosé, complete with bottle-shaped neon wall art to the room's palette of peach and rose hues.
Promising the ultimate oasis for champagne connoisseurs or lovers looking for rosé-tinted romance, the Champagne Parlour is a one-room offering taking up temporary residence until April 30 - insert 'pop-up' joke here.
As someone who has stayed at the QT Queenstown before, I was itching to go back (the beds are some of the best I've ever slept on). Thankfully, I was lucky enough to experience the Champagne Parlour for myself one chilly Friday in March - and I was not disappointed.
Here are my thoughts.
Upon arriving at the parlour with my partner, I was immediately tickled pink by the plush interior. They say pink makes the boys wink, but for him, it was not so much of a wink as it was a wince, as I began loudly obsessing over every detail. From the pink and rose gold furnishings to the bespoke champagne-coloured bathrobes, embroidered with the red and gold G.H. Mumm branding, I was fizzing. Not to mention, there was a bottle of Mumm Grand Cordon Rosé waiting on ice for our arrival, accompanied by delectable pink macarons, which should be enough to set anyone off.
The decorators have done a masterful job at striking the balance between stylish luxury - fitting QT Hotels' trendy, boutique aesthetic - while being abundantly cosy: much like the flush in your cheeks and warmth in your chest after drinking a good glass of bubbly. The furnishings, from the rose gold lampshades to the fluffy pink throw to the peach velvet pillows, have been matched to the hues of its muse, Mumm Grand Cordon Rosé.
All touchpoints have been carefully considered, nothing an afterthought: even the sofa is shaped like a bubble. Additionally, QT created two bespoke artworks specifically for the room in collaboration with Lyttelton-based artist, Alexandra Weston - both of which sit pretty-in-pink above the king bed.
Moving into the luxuriously fitted bathroom, there are further rose-coloured accents throughout, plus a deliciously spacious tub (should you want some bubbles in your bath). There's also a selection of pink toiletries, including two Aceology 'frosé' facemasks for a spot of self-care. We did attempt said self-care, both of us sitting in bed watching Married At First Sight while looking like Michael Myers. Let's just say, you don't feel quite as smug mocking reality TV contestants when you have a sheet stuck to your face.
Then there's the view. A stone's throw from the esplanade, the hotel's lake-facing rooms each come with a stunning vista of Lake Wakatipu, with a small balcony for guests to drink in the scenery: in this case, while also drinking in a bottle of champers. The view is particularly beautiful come sundown, with the golden light and pink hues complementing the decor.
As part of a stay in the Champagne Parlour, guests are invited to meet with the QT's Director of Champagne, who is on-site for the month of the room's residency. There's a 'Champagne Hour' from 4pm to 5pm daily, where the director pops up in secret locations around the hotel for guests to find. The clue left on our coffee table was perhaps the most obvious hint they could've given, but my partner and I still somehow managed to overthink it enough that we were quite shocked when we did, indeed, get the location right.
Upon our arrival in the reception (yes, that was the secret location), we found the director was actually not there that day, but one of the QT's lovely staffers had risen to the challenge. Dressed in a pink suit with a bar cart in tow, she rewarded our efforts with a glass of Mumm Grand Cordon Rosé and gave us a tour of the hotel. While she wasn't much of a champagne cognoscente (bless her), she still did a lovely job of showcasing the premises.
Now, let's talk amenities. As well as the bottle of Grand Cordon Rosé and Mumm macarons on arrival, guests are also treated to the aforementioned 'frosé' facemasks, as well as bubbles-and-breakfast in bed, complete with rosé mimosas. As a coeliac, I did find the breakfast menu difficult to navigate, as not much seemed to be gluten free. However, I was pretty happy with my avocado, tomato and poached eggs on gluten-free toast: or maybe that was the mimosa speaking. My partner had the açaí bowl, and we had tea and coffee brought up with breakfast, although there is a Nespresso machine in the room for a quick caffeine fix.
And while the mini-bar is stocked with Mumm champagne for the duration of your stay, there is a 'Call for Champagne' button on the phone - should you require extra provisions.
Although this experience is an ideal opportunity to stay in and enjoy the room (there's room service and plenty of bubbles to go around), should you wish to venture outside the suite, there are champagne specials at Reds, the QT's on-site bar. There's also an exclusive pairing menu designed by executive chef Ryan Hennley, featuring delicious local produce such as Clevedon oysters and crayfish tostadas.
All in all, we enjoyed our time in the Champagne Parlour, despite neither of us being big drinkers. As someone who is more of a dabbler in champagne than an aficionado, the price-tag - from $599 per night - is a little steep, but if you're a cognoscente, this experience will likely tickle your fancy.
Alternatively, if you and yours are in need of a special getaway, this could be a fabulous mini-break complete with Mumm (no, not mum). However, the room is only available to book until April 30, so if you want to secure a spot, maybe don't pass this info around - Mumm's the word.
The Champagne Parlour room package at QT Queenstown includes:
- An overnight stay in the Champagne Parlour (located in the Lake King Room)
- One bottle of Mumm Grand Cordon Rosé and Mumm Grand Cordon Rosé macarons on arrival
- Breakfast in bed for two including two Mumm Grand Cordon Rosé mimosas
- Bathroom amenities
- Additional bottles available at a special price.
Lana Andelane travelled to Queenstown and received a complimentary one-night stay in the Champagne Parlour as a guest of QT Queenstown.
