Mrs Appelman’s extensive hospitality career spans across New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Most recently, she served as General Manager and Area General Manager for JUCY Snooze Queenstown and Christchurch, and previously held management roles with IHG, Heritage and Mantra group.

Mrs Appelman’s appointment introduces a hotel manager who combines industry expertise with a passion for the spirit of Queenstown that she is excited about sharing with guests. The best holiday locations are the ones you never want to leave, and Mrs Appelman is a traveller turned manager, having first visited Queenstown in 2007 as a backpacker.

Of her fondness for the area, Mrs Appelman says, “I love the seasons, the colours, the views from every window. You can ski in the morning and ride bikes in the afternoon, it’s a town of opportunity. This region has something for every traveller whether you’re on a family adventure, couples’ getaway, food and wine holiday, golf, mountain biking, hiking, skiing - we really do have something for everyone!

“In Queenstown we’ve had a unique opportunity in the past two years to evaluate and refine our visitor experience. Every business has had to look at what they offer and the standards they operate to. I believe this will make our new visitor experience among the best in the world. Every business owner is invested in the region and we are all more passionate than ever to show it off.”

HIND Management’s Chief People Officer Phillipa Gimmillaro says, “We are delighted to welcome Ali to the HIND Management and Sudima Hotels family. Her role is key, as the hotel manager of our newest property. Her deep familiarity with the Queenstown area and wealth and breadth of experience, from the customer and tourism side to people management and revenue and other financial responsibilities, has prepared her perfectly for the Sudima Queenstown Five Mile manager role and steering the hotel through the tourism recovery and regrowth of visitors.”

Sudima Queenstown Five Mile opened in December 2021 in the Five Mile retail precinct of the bustling Frankton area, and the recent lifting of many border restrictions makes the hotel ideally situated for travellers to access Queenstown’s airport, ski fields, restaurants and bars, the wineries of Central Otago and popular nearby destinations such as Wanaka. The 4.5-star contemporary hotel reflects the surrounding mountains in its architecture, while its 120 guest rooms are designed to be comfortable, accessible and resplendent with views of Queenstown’s famous landscape.

For those who want to stay close to their home away from home, Podium restaurant at Sudima Queenstown Five Mile offers guests and visitors a prime venue to savour a delicious meal or relax with a drink – both can be enjoyed in the outdoor mezzanine with mountain views. The talented hospitality team can whip up hot and cold drinks from the well-stocked café and bar, which includes plenty of local flavour.

Mrs Appelman will also be overseeing Queenstown’s newest spa, Moss Spa, which is located next door to the hotel in the Five Mile retail precinct. It offers wellness, rejuvenation and relaxation with an array of high-quality professional spa treatments. The contemporary space caters for Queenstown locals as well as visitors to the region and Sudima Hotels guests. Moss Spa has three purpose-built treatment rooms including a twin room with a signature spa immersion bath delivering the ultimate luxury spa experience.

Mrs Appelman commenced her role in mid-April and says her team is looking forward to the arrival of domestic and international guests in time for Queenstown’s renowned winter season.