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Holiday Inn Express & Suites celebrated its fifth anniversary last Thursday night with a special event honouring the hotel’s journey, community partnerships, and contributions to Queenstown’s tourism recovery.
The birthday bash was attended by Queenstown’s leading tourism industry executives, hotel partners, suppliers and local media. Guests were entertained by local legends Shay and Pearly and enjoyed a curated canape menu including butter poached crayfish and cheese fondue paired with crafted winter cocktails and mulled wine. Lucky door prizes were awarded to guests including a two night stay in a King Mountain View Suite.
Since opening its doors in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hotel has demonstrated exceptional resilience and commitment to the local community. Amid international border closures and widespread industry challenges, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown was the only business actively recruiting, providing critical employment opportunities when jobs were scarce across the region.
“Opening during the pandemic required tremendous courage and faith in Queenstown’s future,” says Pro-invest hotels NZ portfolio general manager Jason Sabin. “We’re proud that our decision to push ahead not only created jobs when they were most needed but also positioned us to welcome visitors back as soon as borders reopened.”
Over the past five years, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown has established itself as an architectural landmark and a preferred base for travellers, business groups, and high-profile guests. It was honoured to welcome the first incentive group to return to Queenstown after lockdown restrictions lifted and has hosted notable guests including the Highlanders rugby team and acclaimed musical artists such as Katchafire, Hilltop Hoods, Tiki Taane, Kaylee Bell, and Sachii.
Community connection remains at the heart of the hotel’s operations, with Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown a proud partner of the Winter Pride festival since opening and is now entering its third year as a sponsor of the Queenstown Marathon.
The hotel’s commitment to quality and design has been recognised with top industry honours, including winning Best Hotel/Leisure Building at the World Architecture Festival Awards in 2021 and being named Best Midscale Hotel in New Zealand at the HM Awards in 2023.
“As we enter our sixth year, we remain committed to providing exceptional service while supporting initiatives and partnerships that strengthen the Queenstown community,” says Jason.
The fifth-anniversary event not only marked a significant operational milestone but also showcased the hotel’s integral role in Queenstown’s ongoing recovery and growth as a world-class destination.
