930 days ago

The 'beyond five-star' Queenstown hotel where the toilet can give you a massage

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

When Kevin Carlin first came to Queenstown he was advised to park his BMW in a shed and drive a ute around town.

“I was told to not be too flash, as people in New Zealand call it.”

More than 30 years after moving from the United States to the country he chose for its lifestyle and security, he has opened one of the flashiest hotels ever built in Queenstown.

The “more than five-star” 14-suite Carlin Boutique Hotel stretches seven stories above the central town.

Each of the interconnected suites has its own outdoor fire and spa pool, and a kitchen where private chefs can whip up a meal.

“We don’t expect our guests are ever going to buy eggs and cook,” Carlin said.

The toilets have remote controls that do everything from lift the seat to provide a massage.

The walls are marble and oak, the waste baskets and tissue holders are leather and embossed with the newly-developed Carlin crest.

If you are unfortunate enough to have one of the few bedrooms without a view over Queenstown, you will instead have a 65-inch television linked to a rooftop camera that provides a live feed of the outlook.

Guests who walk into central Queenstown but want a lift uphill home can choose to be picked up in a Bentley, Porsche or Maserati – or grab an e-bike from the available fleet.

A night in a one-bedroom suite starts at $1750 plus GST, while the three-storey penthouse goes for about $25,000 a night for seven bedrooms, seven-and-a-half bathrooms, four spas, four backyards and four lounge rooms over about 510 square metres.

More messages from your neighbours
20 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.

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1 day ago

Poll: How should Guy Fawkes be celebrated?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

While it is a fun occasion, fireworks on Guy Fawkes Night has caused much conflict over the years, upsetting our pets and disrupting the sleep of neighbours.

How should we celebrate Guy Fawkes Night? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

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How should Guy Fawkes be celebrated?
  • 28.4% With a city-wide public fireworks display
    28.4% Complete
  • 20.4% Small fireworks displays in each community
    20.4% Complete
  • 7.7% Keep it as is
    7.7% Complete
  • 32.7% We shouldn't celebrate it!
    32.7% Complete
  • 10.5% Anything but fireworks
    10.5% Complete
  • 0.4% Other - I'll share below
    0.4% Complete
1900 votes
1 day ago

Solve This Riddle or Be Left Scratching Your Head!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

With pointed fangs, I sit and wait;
with piercing force, I crunch out fate.
I grab victims, proclaiming might,
and physically join with a single bite.
What am I?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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