The Clements Hotel Earns Qualmark Gold and 5-Star Boutique Rating

Cambridge’s newest boutique hotel, The Clements, has been awarded a Qualmark Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Award and a 5-Star Boutique rating on its very first evaluation. These accolades recognise the boutique hotel’s exceptional commitment to both guest experience and responsible, sustainable tourism since opening in August 2025.

It is rare for a hotel to achieve Qualmark Gold on its first evaluation, making this result even more significant, and confirming that The Clements is operating at the highest levels of sustainability recognised worldwide.

Qualmark is New Zealand’s official quality mark for tourism businesses, and its sustainability criteria are officially recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) – the international body that sets and manages global standards for sustainable travel and tourism.

“This is a tremendous result and one the entire team at The Clements should be incredibly proud of,” said Clare Davies, Managing Director at Capstone Hotel Management. “Achieving Gold and a 5-star rating on a first Qualmark evaluation is no small feat, and it reflects the work that has been embedded since its opening – from thoughtful operational practices and community connection through to the meticulous restoration of the property’s heritage building, which honours the past while embracing a sustainable future.”

The Clements Hotel is housed in Cambridge’s beautifully restored 1866 beaux-arts Masonic building, a multi-million-dollar transformation that has returned this heritage landmark to its rightful place as the social heart of the Waikato township.

The 29-room boutique property offers timeless elegance, with original stained-glass windows, red brick walls and a sweeping wooden staircase carefully preserved alongside modern luxury amenities. Guests can dine at The Gallery Restaurant, unwind at The Clements Café & Wine Bar, and discover ‘1866’, an underground speakeasy bar in the hotel’s original 150-year-old basement.

The Clements Hotel is managed by Capstone Hotel Management and is located at 68 Duke Street, Cambridge – 15 minutes from Hamilton International Airport and 1.5 hours from Auckland. For more information, visit clements.co.nz