In 2004, Amelia and Rafiq Ellwood were thousands of feet above the Pacific Ocean—she, a flight attendant with a curious palate for global cuisines, and he, an aeronautical engineer with a passion for architecture and all things handcrafted. They met onboard a long-haul flight between Tokyo and San Francisco and bonded over a shared dream: to one day trade their frequent-flyer miles for rolling hills and still waters.

 

After years of chasing sunrises across time zones, the couple touched down in Queenstown in 2010 on what was meant to be a short hiking holiday. One look at the glassy lake, the scent of wild thyme in the breeze, and the hum of alpine stillness—and the decision was made. They didn’t just want to live here; they wanted to share this place with the world.

 

In 2011 they purchased their first villa, Pōhutukawa Villa, and over two years poured their creativity, savings, and sleepless nights into transforming it. What followed was a decade of steady, soulful growth—handpicking additional properties with architectural styles that reflected their travels, blending local flora with global design cues, and curating partnerships with farmers, artisans, and adventure guides across Otago. Each villa, from Kōwhai Suites to Tī Kōuka Loft and Pūriri Suites, reflects their journey: cosmopolitan in spirit, but rooted in Aotearoa’s earth.

 

What began as a one-villa B&B has now grown into a clutch of 4 exquisite properties, each one establishing itself as a sought-after retreat where guests arrive as visitors and leave as part of the story.