Millbrook named world's best golf resort

Queenstown’s five-star Millbrook Resort has been named the world’s best golf resort by a prestigious Australian travel magazine.

Millbrook has taken out top place in Luxury Travel Magazine’s 2011 Gold List Award for overseas golf resorts, ahead of strong New Zealand and international contenders.

Last year Millbrook came fourth in the awards, which are decided upon by a survey that goes to tens of thousands of discerning, travel-loving readers and clients of Virtuoso, the world’s most exclusive travel agents, to vote on their favourite destinations each year.

This year Millbrook heads a golf resort list that includes The Farm at Cape Kidnappers (2nd) Kauri Cliffs in Matauri Bay (3rd), Mission Hills Resort in Shenzhen, China (4th) and Sun City Resort in South Africa (5th).

Millbrook was also lauded as one of the best New Zealand properties within three hours of the city, taking out fifth place overall behind exclusive lodges such as Huka Lodge and Blanket Bay.

The awards are regarded as one of the most comprehensive luxury travel surveys undertaken by an Australian magazine and widely accepted as Australia’s premier travel awards.

Millbrook General Manager David Onions said the team at Millbrook was “absolutely thrilled” to gain international recognition as the world’s top golf resort.

“To be recognized as the world’s best place to play golf, against some strong competition from other internationally renowned golf resorts, is a wonderful accolade for us,” he said.

“This award comes at an ideal time because many Australians are booking their ski holidays now, and we have a unique ‘green valley’ situation where you can ski in the morning and have a round of golf in the afternoon.

“Millbrook’s the perfect choice for a winter holiday because it’s close to the action of Queenstown and ski fields, just a 20-minute drive to Coronet Peak, yet has a tranquility and ambience about it which enables people to unwind in five-star style with world-class golf, spa and restaurant facilities on their doorstep.”

Mr Onions paid tribute to the hard work and vision of the Millbrook team and its owners in driving a multi-million dollar investment in golf.

In the past three years, the resort has made a significant $30million investment in an innovative covered driving range converted from a former woolshed, a new nine-hole golf course known as the Coronet Nine, extensive upgrades to the existing 18-hole championship golf course, and housing development in the western extension of Millbrook.

The newly structured, award-winning 27-hole configuration at Millbrook has proved hugely popular with local, New Zealand and international golfers.

Millbrook’s three interchangeable ‘nines’ create a varied diet of golf and a combination that only a small handful of courses in the country offer.

More about Millbrook

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. It’s retained many heritage features including the original Millhouse, rustic buildings and a majestic avenue of trees.

Millbrook features 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 several kilometres of biking and walking trails.

Millbrook’s numerous neighbourhoods range from Butel Villas to 2, 3 and 4 bedroom cottages and luxurious Fairway Homes.

Nearby you can enjoy the gold rush era village of Arrowtown with its many restaurants, museums and shops. Queenstown’s attractions include a wide range of activities, wineries, easy access to five ski areas, great nightlife and award-winning restaurants and bars.