June 13, 2025 -- Design-led hotel QT Auckland was crowned Best Hotel at the 2025 Lion Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence last night, in a competitive category featuring seven finalists from across the country.
QT Auckland General Manager Michael Stamboulidis says the team is stoked to be recognised by the industry. “QT Auckland continues to go from strength to strength, in no small part due to the excellent team of hospitality professionals we have across the hotel, Esther and Rooftop at QT. Everyone, both front and back of house, is dedicated to ensuring each guest who walks through the doors leaves with a quintessential QT experience, delivered with our ‘unexpected & unrequested’ service. This award is a testament to their talent and hard work.”
At a glance
- Company
- QT Auckland
- Announcement
- Award
- Location
- Auckland, New Zealand
Key figures
- Award year
- 2025
- Finalists in Best Hotel category
- seven
- Year QT Auckland opened
- 2020
People
- Michael StamboulidisGeneral Manager
- James LairdExecutive Chef
Products and programs
Since opening its doors in 2020, QT Auckland has become renowned for its playfully luxe aesthetic, exceptional food and beverage offerings and outstanding hospitality. Inspired by its harbourside locale, the rooms and public spaces take cues from the oyster, creating a bold urban hideaway with blended textures and moments of intrigue around every corner.
Known for its bold campaigns and exciting collaborations, Stamboulisis promises that the hotel has no intention of slowing down, with partnerships in the pipeline that will continue to deliver unrivalled experiences for guests and locals. The hotel’s signature restaurant, Esther, was a finalist in the Best Restaurant category, with Executive Chef James Laird a finalist for Chef of the Year. A true celebration of regional flavour, the restaurant has a sustainability-first approach, sourcing the freshest local ingredients.
For more information about QT Hotels & Resorts, visit qthotels.com
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Questions around this news
What is QT Auckland known for?
The release describes the hotel as having a playfully luxe aesthetic, food and beverage offerings, and a focus on hospitality. Its rooms and public spaces draw inspiration from its harbourside location and the oyster, using varied textures and distinctive design details.
What recognition did Esther receive at the 2025 awards?
Esther, the hotel’s signature restaurant, was a finalist in the Best Restaurant category. Its executive chef, James Laird, was also a finalist for Chef of the Year. The release describes the restaurant as focused on regional flavours and sourcing fresh local ingredients.
What is Esther’s approach to sourcing ingredients?
The release characterizes Esther’s approach as sustainability-first and says the restaurant sources fresh local ingredients. It connects this approach with a focus on regional flavour. The release does not provide further operational details about how ingredients are selected or sourced.
