Award-winning Millbrook Resort scoops gold again at World Travel Awards

Queenstown’s five-star Millbrook Resort has once again beat off stiff national competition to take out the title of New Zealand’s Best Golf Resort at the travel industry’s most prestigious awards ceremony held in Dubai earlier this month.

The multi award-winning golf and lifestyle resort, set on 500 acres of grounds near Arrowtown, won the top spot for the third year running, making it one of the most lauded golf courses in Australasia and the world.

Widely-referred to as ‘The Oscars of the Travel World’, the World Travel Awards (WTA) celebrates those companies and brands that “push the boundaries of industry excellence in product and service”.

Millbrook Director of Golf, Brian Spicer said the award win was an important recognition in the lead up to the Resort’s inclusion in next year’s New Zealand Open.

“The entire team has worked hard in the last five or so years to ensure we maintain our high standards, providing one of the best golfing experiences in the country.  We’re certainly up there with the world’s best,” said Mr Spicer.

“Our hard work has certainly paid off, not only with the acknowledgement of this prestigious award for the third consecutive year, but also being co-host of the 2014 NZ Open- which is a huge privilege.”

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be a part of this prestigious tournament, which will be the pre-eminent sporting event in the country this summer.

“Our dedication to providing world-class facilities and five-star service has enabled us to become part of the NZ Open for 2014,” Mr Spicer said.

“People come from all over the world to stay and play Milbrook’s greens and we’re constantly reminded by people of how beautiful the course and surrounds are.

“The NZ Open will allow us to showcase Millbrook to a worldwide audience,” said Mr Spicer.

Millbrook took out the WTA title after months of intense voting by industry organisations, past guests and industry leaders and was up against some of New Zealand’s best courses; Kauri Cliffs, Lakes Resort Pauanui, Terrace Downs Resort, and The Farm Cape Kidnappers.

“We’ve recently completed a full renovation and relaying of the original greens at Millbrook.”

“They’ve never looked better and we have 27 holes of fantastic golf to play for people of all levels.

“Surrounded by the dramatic scenery of The Remarkables mountains and Coronet Peak, there’s simply nowhere in the world like Millbrook for a round of golf,” Mr Spicer said.

World Travel Awards President and Founder Graham E. Cooke said Australasia was a hotly contested region for the awards.

“The winners continue to serve as an example of the most luxurious and innovative brands with unique hospitality products and services,” said Mr Cooke.

“The recipients strive to set the highest possible bar to raise the standards of excellence in travel and tourism.”

About Millbrook Resort

Millbrook is one of the world’s most celebrated golf courses and was voted the Best Golf Resort in Australasia at the World Travel Awards in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the Best Resort in New Zealand for 2011 and 2012 and 2013.

Set in a natural, alpine amphitheatre against a backdrop of snow-capped mountain ranges on the outskirts of world-renowned tourism destination Queenstown, Millbrook was formerly a wheat farm with a 150-year history.

Many of the resort’s heritage features remain today including the original Millhouse, rustic buildings and a majestic avenue of trees, some over 150 years old.

Millbrook, which celebrated its 20th Birthday this year, is a multi award-winning resort that features various levels of five-star accommodation, world class dining, the Spa at Millbrook (ranked among the Top Ten in the World), a health and fitness centre, a championship 27-hole golf course, covered driving range, swimming pool, outdoor spa pools, tennis courts and kilometres of biking and walking trails.

Nearby you can enjoy the gold rush era village of Arrowtown with its many restaurants, cafes, museum and boutique shops. Queenstown is a year-round paradise with attractions including world-class wineries, five ski areas, great nightlife, multiple golf courses and award-winning restaurants and bars.

Millbrook Resort will play co-host to the 2014 New Zealand Open tournament, along with The Hills Golf Course in Arrowtown.

A tier one event on the PGA Tour of Australasia, the NZ Open will be held from February 27 to March 2 2014. It will include a unique pro-am format played concurrently with the professional tournament, following the principles established for the 2013 NZPGA Championship.