Distinction Invercargill - A Hotel Designed with Heart, Craft, and a Sense of Place.

When Geoff Thomson purchased the historic Menzies Building on Invercargill’s Lower Esk Street in 2021, he envisioned more than a renovation — he imagined a homecoming. His goal was to bring Distinction’s signature high-quality, heartfelt hospitality to his hometown, transforming the former government building into a refined 4.5-star, 150-room hotel that feels both elegant and deeply connected to Southland.

A Design Vision Led by Craft and Comfort

Designer Matt Smidt, Director of FORMA, led the design and fit-out with a clear brief: create a high-end, welcoming environment that appeals equally to tourists, corporate travellers, and the local community. The result is a hotel that feels curated yet effortless.

Guest Rooms: Calm, Textural, and Comfort-Forward

The bedrooms were the first design priority, conceived as serene retreats layered with soft colour and tactile luxury. Beds are dressed in sage green custom dyed duvet covers with bespoke throws and cushions, all anchored by padded headboards upholstered in James Dunlop’s Supervio fabric. Underfoot, Feltex’s Okiwi Bay carpet in Stone — a sumptuous 55oz/yd2 cut-pile hard-twist solution dyed nylon manufactured in New Zealand, adds warmth and quiet sophistication.

Bar: Bold Geometry and Rich Colour

The bar’s carpet introduces a dramatic shift in mood — a bold, curvilinear geometric woven design was developed utilising eleven colours including rich gold, tangerine, burgundy, greens and navy together with a few neutrals. These hues echo through the timber furniture, upholstery, and cushions crafted by FORMA, creating a layered, expressive environment perfect for evening gatherings.

Retreat Restaurant: Warm, Sculptural, and Inviting

The Retreat Restaurant continues the curvilinear theme with a more refined palette of taupe, gold, tangerine, burgundy, and charcoal. The woven carpet design was developed to enhance the modern, vibrant dining spaces and provided the palette for seating throughout the restaurant including tangerine and taupe chairs and charcoal quilted booth seating. A standout feature is the deep tangerine curved banquette as you enter the Restaurant.

Lounge and Fireside Areas: Intimate, Textural Moments

Near the entry, two striking green S-shaped sofas set a welcoming tone. Throughout the lounge, the carpet design incorporates seven area rugs woven into the striking gold carpet to create intimate seating zones. The Rugs’ cream and taupe tones, accented with same gold and dark green coordinate with the restaurant and bar colourways. Four of these rugs are positioned before the floor-to-ceiling, slate-clad double-sided fireplaces — a dramatic architectural statement that enhances the sense of warmth and connection.

Distinction Invercargill has quickly become a vibrant hub, its design reflects not only a commitment to comfort and quality but also a deep respect for community - a place where thoughtful interiors elevate every moment of the guest experience.

Bespoke Carpet

Made under our Feltex brand, which is synonymous with high-end quality and design, our woven carpets are made from a rich, premium, wool blend fibre, bringing character and quality to your project. Limited by nothing more than imagination, our leading customisation capabilities produce genuinely bespoke, custom carpet designs, for uniquely personalised projects. Woven carpet is a popular choice for hospitality carpet due to its opulent nature bringing luxury to the next level through custom made designs.

Project: Distinction Invercargill 
Architect: Studio 4 Architects 
Interior Design and Furniture: FORMA 
Product: Okiwi Bay; Custom Fluent Grace; Custom 48 Woven Carpet