QT Hotels & Resorts is preparing a major expansion following a full merger with its nearby sister property in Queenstown, New Zealand — the adjacent 152-room EVT Hotels & Resorts’ Rydges Lakeside Queenstown. The Rydges property will be refurbished and upgraded to operate under the QT brand. The two hotels sit just a 10-minute walk apart.
Lobby © Courtesy of QT Hotels & Resorts
The renovation will fully integrate both properties into a single, cohesive complex. When complete, the combined hotel will offer 222 rooms, most featuring private balconies that showcase views of Lake Wakatipu or the surrounding alpine peaks.
Positioned to appeal to wellness and adventure travelers, both QT properties will include a modern gym and pool as well as amenities tailored for hikers, mountain bikers, skiers and snowboarders. Guests will also enjoy QT’s signature, design-forward hospitality, enhanced conferencing and event spaces, and elevated food and beverage experiences.
© Courtesy of QT Hotels & Resorts
“Queenstown continues to be one of the strongest hotel markets in Australasia, and our two adjacent properties are ideally located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu,” said Mathew Duff, director, commercial, EVT Hotels & Resorts.
QT Queenstown will remain open throughout the upgrade. New rooms will be brought online in stages during 2026, with the full project scheduled for completion in mid-2027.
© Courtesy of QT Hotels & Resorts
In addition to the expansion, QT Hotels & Resorts has enhanced its dog-friendly Pup Yeah! package, offering a three-night stay available across QT properties in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Launched earlier this year to mark International Dog Day on Aug. 26, the package brings a range of thoughtful touches for four-legged guests.
Pet-appointed rooms arrive stocked with grooming essentials and hand-baked treats. Highlights include a doggie duo from New Zealand botanical label Smith&Burton — a soothing cologne and waterless foam shampoo — plus hand-baked, human-grade treats from Australian luxury pet brand St Argo. Gourmet in-room dining options extend to playful menu items such as steak tartare and bacon ice cream, and pups rest on orthopedic memory-foam beds supplied by Australian premium pet brand CUB.
© Courtesy of QT Hotels & Resorts
Beyond the rooms, each QT destination offers a Strut Your Pup digital map highlighting the best local walks, pup-friendly parks and cafés, plus ideal photo spots. Select QT hotels also provide a personal concierge — playfully called a director of Chaos — who can arrange walks and local outings for guests and their dogs.