Ritu Dalmia

OT Which is your favourite hotel in the world
Ritu Dalmia I am a fickle-minded person, and my favourite hotel changes from year to year. I love fabulous hotels and some of my trips are made based on the hotel/lodge I want to experience. For a few years, there was no other hotel except the Royal Malewane in South Africa that did it for me then it was the Haymarket Hotel in London. But at the moment, I have some amazing memories of Matakauri Lodge

(from N$595 matakauri.co.nz), in Queenstown, New Zealand, from a couple of years ago.

OT What makes it special
Ritu Dalmia The hotel is located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu on the South Island. The Remarkables mountains form a perfect backdrop to the hotel, and the pine forests around the property add that final magical touch.

OT What was your room like
Ritu Dalmia The rooms are super luxurious, with natural light spilling in through the large glass windows. My jaws just kept plummeting at the heart-stopping vistas. The interior colours are greys and peaches, luxurious without being intimidating.

OT What did you eat there
Ritu Dalmia The food is spectacular, starting from pre-dinner nibbles and the best bread basket I have ever eaten, accompanied by New Zealand oil and dukkah. The menu changes daily and I got a chance to taste the best of New Zealand here, be it the lamb, or the salmon, or the berries. My favourites were the grilled blue cod and the Hereford lamb. I would suggest requesting a table by the window, so you can get a 180-degree view of the sparkling lake and the sky loaded with stars.

OT What does it get most right
Ritu Dalmia The service was immaculate and friendly without being overbearing, and it broke my heart the day we were leaving.