On a recent trip to Queenstown to plan our Wild Hearts event, we had the pleasure of staying at Hulbert House. From the moment we arrived at the beautifully restored Victorian villa, we felt completely at home. The incredible hosts, Jade and Jay treated us like royalty experience that we’ll remember forever. Every detail, from the personal service and local knowledge to the beautiful seasonal meals and quality banter, ensured an unforgettable stay.
With a schedule full of meetings and a vendor evening, we weren’t able to partake in the pre-dinner drinks and canapés, which are held every evening for the guests. The lovely staff generously delivered glasses of Central Otago Pinot Noir to our rooms, as we got ready to head out. Needless to say, they had our hearts immediately.
With a rich history dating back to 1888, the elegant Hulbert House is full of beautiful, luxe details. Conveniently located at the top of Ballarat Street in Queenstown, guests are spoiled with the most remarkable views looking out to Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding snow-capped mountains. Its central location is walking distance from all the city’s best restaurants, shops and cafés, making it the ideal spot for a mini getaway, elopement or honeymoon.
There are six suites in the boutique villa, each named after a prominent individual in the Homestead’s colourful history. The Boult Suite is named after Philip Burbage Boult who was granted the land in 1876. The Firth Suite is named after Horatio Nelson Firth, whose family lived here between 1889 and 1901 when Firth was sent to prison for embezzlement
Each gorgeous suite is completely unique, offering an unparalleled experience that makes you feel as though you’re part of the property’s rich history. From the high grand ceilings and chandeliers to the Victorian wallpaper and elegant furniture imported from France, we marvelled at every detail. We also loved the big old heaters, which were locally sourced from an old school in Clyde. All rooms are stocked with Antipodes water, a delightful selection of Harney & Sons tea and coffee, of course! After returning back from our evening out, we were greeted with a lovely warm room, curtains drawn and delicious chocolate truffles beside the bed. Settle in and relax on your grand king bed that overlooks the incredible views of Queenstown, this accommodation is perfect for loved-up Honeymooners who can’t bear to leave their room.
The next morning we headed to the “Palm Lounge” for breakfast, where a delightful selection of fresh local foods were set out for us. We were then greeted by the lovely Jade, Hulbert House’s Manager. She then took our coffee and breakfast orders while asking us about -our plans for the day. We chatted about the many couples who come to Queenstown to elope and book a romantic stay. Currently, Jade and Jay are hosting a couple from Norway who are tying the knot above the mountains in beautiful Queenstown. And they’re not alone, it’s quickly becoming the trend to elope to this breathtaking destination. With fantastic service, historic rooms and dreamy views right on your doorstep, we can’t think of a better idea.
Steeped in history, we loved Jade and Jay’s modern touches and forward-thinking in regards to how they run the boutique property. Jay is the in-house chef and loves sourcing local boutique wines and craft beers. Meanwhile, Jade is passionate about ensuring the luxury villa becomes increasingly more sustainable with zero waste. There are no throwaway plastic bottles in the rooms, in fact, they gift all guests with an aluminum water bottle to take with them on their travels. They only use recyclable coffee pods in the Nespresso Machines, which are from NZ based Honest Coffee Co – supporting local and helping create changes for a sustainable community.
We absolutely adored getting to know Jade and Jay and loved every moment of our stay at Hulbert House.
Photography by Sophie Isabella.
