Blanket Bay
Where? On the bush-clad fringes of Lake Wakatipu, 45 minutes from Queenstown on New Zealand's South Island.
Lord of the Rings country? Indeed. Surrounded by verdant grassland, desolate peaks and primeval rainforest, the surreal topography looks as if it's been computer generated. Hang around for long enough and you might spot Gandalf looming through the trees. Ian McKellan is a big fan, as are Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, who put the hotel on their honeymoon shortlist.
What style is it? A swank Alpine lodge with a dollop of the American west. Created by Idaho architect Tom Tusher in 1999, the emphasis is on vast, open spaces. To complement this, big beds, big baths and big views are a given in any of the 12 guest rooms, which include suites and chalets.
Is the decor equally spoiling? Yes - but in an authentic, no-frills sort of a way. The polished wood floors have been retrieved from old sheep shearing sheds, and the beams are reclaimed from railway bridges and steamer wharves.
All good and well, but what about the luxe stuff? All rooms have private balconies or terraces, high fidelity sound systems and modem jacks. Sumptuous beds, squashy sofas and bathrooms with steam showers, double sinks and stacks of springy towels are also part of the package.
Talk us through the activities: Riding, skiing and heli-fishing for trout are de rigueur, in addition to excursions to Mount Earnslaw Glacier and the dense rainforests of Fiordland. Guests who prefer to stay closer to home can swim laps in the hotel's cool pool, visit the spa or play darts in the games room.
What's on the menu? Delectable Pacific Rim cuisine, washed down with lashings of New Zealand wine, including award-winning pinot noirs, chardonnays and rieslings.
Anything else we should know? If it's atmosphere you're after, try dinner for two in the secluded Wine Cave. Or tuck into parmesan wafers and truffle oil on the terrace in front of a roaring log fire.
