The first stage of the project will see thirty of the hotel's original guest rooms extensively refurbished, including its premium two-bedroom penthouse apartment.
The start of the project sees a fresh new luxury look and enhanced guest experience across more than a third of the five-star Blenheim hotel’s eighty rooms. This further strengthens the accommodation offering for domestic and international leisure travelers, corporate guests, groups, and those visiting the region for conferences and business events.
The refurbishment represents the latest chapter in the ongoing evolution of Carnmore Chateau Marlborough. Since its beginnings in the 1980s, through to becoming part of New Zealand’s Carnmore Hotel Collection in 2022, the hotel has continued to grow and reinvest in its facilities, establishing itself as a trusted accommodation provider for visitors to Marlborough.
The refurbishment project is being delivered with the support of local contractors as well as suppliers from Marlborough and within New Zealand, reflecting the importance Carnmore Hotel Collection places on investing in the region and supporting local. The room designs and styling focus on contemporary comfort and creating an accommodation experience befitting both the hotel’s five-star status and its location in one of New Zealand’s most recognised visitor destinations. With renovations well under way, the first of the new style rooms are available in October 2026, with the remainder being completed in stages, over the coming months.
Adding a distinctly Marlborough touch, the refurbished rooms will feature photography by renowned local photographer and winemaker Kevin Judd, celebrating the landscapes that have helped establishthe region's international reputation.
“It has been a great pleasure to bring a selection of my vineyard landscapes to life in large format for the newly refurbished rooms at Carnmore Chateau Marlborough. The images, printed on archival canvas, are all from my two photography books, The Landscape of New Zealand Wine and The Colour of Wine” says Judd.
Carnmore Chateau Marlborough’s general manager, Lynley McKinnon, says the investment reflects the hotel’s long-term commitment to Marlborough and to continually improving the experience offered to guests.
“The Chateau has been part of Marlborough’s accommodation landscape for decades, and throughout that time it has continued to evolve. This latest investment is about ensuring we continue to offer thestandard, comfort and experience our guests expect, while creating spaces that feel fresh and relevant for today’s traveller. Marlborough welcomes such a diverse mix of visitors - from New Zealanders enjoying a weekend in wine country and international guests exploring the top of the South Island, through to corporate travellers, conference delegates and tour groups. Carnmore Chateau Marlboroughis a hotel that confidently welcomes them all and this latest refurbishment ensures we continue to exceed guest expectations.” she says.