Minor Hotels is preparing to open Avani Queenstown in September 2026, bringing its lifestyle brand to one of New Zealand’s most celebrated adventure destinations. The former Oaks Shores Resort has been extensively redeveloped into a full-service hotel designed around lakefront views, social spaces, wellness and year-round travel.

Key takeaways

Avani Queenstown will offer a refreshed approach to stays on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Key points include:

• The hotel is scheduled to open in September 2026.
• It will be Avani’s first property in Queenstown and its New Zealand flagship.
• The former Oaks Shores Resort has been repositioned from serviced apartments into a full-service lifestyle hotel.
• Facilities will include AvaniSpa, AvaniFit, flexible event areas and the Six to Midnight restaurant.

A new chapter for a lakefront property

The transformation gives the existing property a new identity, aligning it with Avani’s contemporary design-led approach. Interiors will combine clean-lined styling with warm, locally inspired finishes, while communal areas are intended to encourage guests to relax, meet and spend more time enjoying the destination.

Its setting on Lake Wakatipu remains central to the experience. The location should appeal to visitors seeking outdoor adventures, scenic escapes, business travel and extended stays, with Queenstown’s mountains and lake providing a naturally memorable backdrop.

Designed for connection and year-round travel

Avani Queenstown is being shaped as more than a place to sleep after a day outdoors. Social areas are expected to support après-ski gatherings, fireplace moments, private dining, celebrations and business events. This flexible approach suits Queenstown’s broad appeal, from winter skiing and summer hiking to wine tourism and wellness breaks.

Craig Hooley, chief operating officer of Minor Hotels Australasia, said the project responds to changing travel preferences, with guests increasingly looking for hotels where design, local character and opportunities to connect are part of the stay.

Dining that changes with the day

The hotel’s signature food and beverage venue, Six to Midnight, will serve as a social hub for guests and local residents. Its offering is planned to move from breakfast and lunch into high tea, après-ski drinks and evening à la carte dining.

The restaurant will highlight seasonal New Zealand produce through globally inspired menus. That all-day rhythm could make it useful for both travellers planning a full day in the region and locals looking for a relaxed lakeside gathering place.

Wellness at the heart of the experience

Wellbeing will be another important part of the hotel’s identity. AvaniSpa will offer treatments and spaces for rest and recovery, while AvaniFit will provide a modern fitness option for active travellers.

Together, the facilities reflect Queenstown’s increasingly diverse visitor profile. The destination continues to attract adventure seekers, but it also offers strong potential for travellers who want to balance exploration with restoration.

Avani expands across Australasia

Avani Queenstown will become the brand’s second New Zealand property, following Avani Auckland Metropolis Residences. It also builds on the recent opening of Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel on Australia’s Sunshine Coast.

For Minor Hotels, the Queenstown opening strengthens a wider Australasia strategy focused on urban, coastal and resort destinations. For visitors, it promises a fresh, lifestyle-oriented base in a region that continues to evolve as a compelling year-round destination.

Sources

• Avani Queenstown to Open in September 2026 Following Major Hotel Transformation – TravelWires, TravelWires.
• Avani Queenstown Set to Open in September 2026, https://safariindia.com/.
• Minor Hotels Introduces Avani Queenstown, a Lakeside Retreat in New Zealand’s Adventure Capital, newswit.
• Avani Queenstown to Open in September as Brand Expands in New Zealand, Rus Tourism News.
• Transformation bringsforth new Avani in New Zealand, www.hotelmanagement.com.au.