People who want a luxury experience on a small scale and appreciate the finer things in life are being targeted by the developers of contemporary new visitor accommodation in Kawarau Village close to Queenstown.

 The five-star Lanah Residence is a striking three-apartment building located minutes from the Queenstown airport in Kawarau Village bounded by the Hilton Hotel and overlooking Lake Wakatipu with views to Coronet Peak ski area and the Remarkables Mountain range.

Owners Han Suqing (Yvonne)and her husband Jean Pierre Dosse spent over a decade looking for the right piece of land to build their dream project after first purchasing a home in Jacks Point in 2008.

“We were contemplating an alternative to our apartments in Shanghai. Initially we looked in Tahiti and at a bungalow built by Marlon Brando but it was not quite right and the climate was very hot. We then came out to New Zealand as Jean Pierre had spent time here in 1985 when he was part of the team to open The Regent in Auckland and visited Queenstown,” says Yvonne.

“We stayed at Millbrook and went to Jack’s Point with a friend and liked it so much we bought a house there that very same day. Then Jean Pierre found this land in the Kawarau Village in 2016 and we thought it was the perfect location for high-end accommodation and we are very happy with the result.”

Lanah Residence reinforces the ideas and experiences of the international couple who bring a passion for genuine hospitality, cultural authenticity and thought-provoking interior design to the property.

“The suites are very spacious with floor to ceiling windows facing out over Lake Wakatipu. It’s probably one of Queenstown’s sunniest spots and we have maximised the beautiful views everywhere.”

The well-appointed suites feature an oversized bathroom with a soaking bath, large walk in closet, a king size bed, day bed, working desk, dining table and a fully equipped kitchenette filled with complimentary provisions.

“ We are targeting people who desire a luxury experience on a small scale and who appreciate the finer things,” says Yvonne. “Many of the furnishings are our own personal pieces including French antiques from Jean Pierre’s family home in Annecy, some very well-known artworks and unique pieces that tell the Chinese story.”

The property’s name is derived from a terracotta sculpture Lanahproduced by French artist Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (1827 – 1875) as part of a theme La Danceused to decorate the façade of the Paris Opera.  The sculpture takes pride of place in the dining room area amongst other European and Chinese antiquities.

Complimentary breakfast is served each morning in the centralised dining room along with afternoon tea and pre-dinner cocktails.

“We are fortunate to have our own chef, Toni Clarke, who is a long-time colleague of Jean Pierre’s and her knowledge of food and hospitality is secondary to none. She comes each day to prepare a New Zealand or Chinese style breakfast – all our guests love this and say the food is fantastic,” says Yvonne. “We can also organise inhouse dining experiences and cater for any food requirements.”

The ground floor is well equipped with a fitness gym, laundry facilities and ski lockers and a jacuzzi above the property offers panoramic views.

The standout residence draws inspiration from the couples’ own experiences travelling the world.

“ We travel a lot and prefer small luxury lodges that are more personalised and not so touristy. That’s what we wanted to achieve here so guests feel like they are staying at their own residence with butler style service from the owners – not staff,” says Yvonne.

Lanah Residence has a three-night minimum stay and guests can book the entire house (three suites) or alternatively each suite can be booked individually.

“I love sports and play golf, tennis, ski, mountain bike and hike and organising day trips for our guests is part of what we offer,” she says. “Particularly for Chinese visitors who do not speak English this makes their stay easy, relaxed and friendly which is ultimately what we are here to do in every way possible.”

International Experience

The developers of Queenstown’s Lanah Residence have impressive credentials in international sport, hotel management, restaurants and hospitality.

Jean Pierre Dosse worked with the Regent and Four Seasons hotel in Asia Pacific for over 45 years, travelling the world managing and opening new hotels as vice president before starting his own consultancy practice in Shanghai working with private Chinese investors.

Han Suqing (Yvonne)is an owner in Shanghai of the fashionable Xin Jishi restaurants, famed for their traditional Shanghainese style of cooking which are popular among visiting celebrities and Hollywood actors.

As a young athlete she was selected to train to become a professional softball player joining the Chinese youth squad before being chosen to represent the country internationally as a member of China’s national softball team, including attending the Olympics in 1996.

Together the couple have combined their expertise to establish Queenstown’s Lanah Residence as a personalised and luxury experience for discerning guests.