Queenstown is well-known as New Zealand’s home of winter. And adventure, incredible scenery, spectacular mountains, fresh air, fine food, and wine.
The Rees Hotel Queenstown, awarded not only Best New Zealand Hotel* but also Best New Zealand Ski Hotel* multiple years running, is as well-known as the destination itself and has you covered, no matter what winter experience you seek.
Now that New Zealand is open to Australian travellers, only one three-hour flight away from our east coast, and winter is well underway with bumper snowfalls, a Queenstown winter holiday is more attractive than ever. If you need more inspiration, here are the quintessential Queenstown experiences The Rees Hotel’s crack concierge team is advising Australians not to miss this winter.
It’s all downhill from here
Want to get out and get amongst the winter ski and snowboard adventures available from your luxurious base in Queenstown? If skiing or boarding is your jam, the team at The Rees Hotel can make it more enjoyable and seamless from the moment you arrive. With the region’s four ski areas, all within 20 to 90 minutes drive of Queenstown, boasting some of New Zealand’s finest winter scenery, ski and snowboard terrain for all levels, night skiing plus a vibrant après scene, what are you waiting for?
Our dedicated Ski Concierge can arrange all your top-shelf rental gear to be ready and waiting for you, lift passes and private transfers to the ski fields. And, of course, ski storage, a roaring fire, and your beverage of choice will be waiting for you when you return at the end of a day on the slopes. Bring the whole family, and The Rees will ensure you will all enjoy the experience. Choose your special Rees package or contact our ski concierge to design a winter getaway exclusively for you.
Too much adventure is not enough.
Snow thrills adventure calling? Queenstown Snowmobiles, New Zealand’s only heli-snowmobiling adventure, offer the exhilaration and freedom of riding your own snowmobile over the pristine, snow-covered wilderness of Garvie Plateau, behind The Remarkables in Queenstown. Your snowmobiling experience starts and finishes with a scenic helicopter ride. This is an epic adventure for families and individuals, available only during winter.
Or spend a day (if you’re keen, a day and an overnight) with Snowbike Expedition, who will provide all the adrenaline along and awesome backcountry mountain adventure you could wish for. Families will love the softer adventure experiences of a Snowcat tour to explore the mountains in style.
Still not enough? Try dog sledding, or plan an unforgettable picnic in the snow (by helicopter at the top of one of the peaks, of course!). Or perhaps sampling the delights of Queenstown’s latest attraction, the Kingpin, a brand new arcade by the Gondola, is more your style.
Food glorious food
A food and wine indulgence more your style? Whether it’s a wine tasting from one of the best cellars in Queenstown as you relax by the fire, a heli-wine tour to some of the best boutique wineries in Queenstown’s surrounding regions, or a degustation long lunch with matching wines at one of the stand-out wineries, your inner gourmand will be well satisfied.
Or do you prefer to hunker down in the lap of luxury and admire the views from in front of an open fire with a top Otago or French wine with someone special? A wine-tasting from the Rees’ Bordeau Wine Lounge awaits. Dedicated to fine food, fine wines and the comfort of good company, the Lounge continues the celebration of Central Otago’s culture and heritage with a strong French twist. The wine collection includes world-renowned Bordeaux chateaux alongside the best of Central Otago and New Zealand. Couple this with a platter of the finest local and seasonal fare from The Rees’ award-winning Executive Chef Corey Hume.
Chef Hume presides over the exclusively curated menus and exclusive culinary wine events at The Rees’ True South Dining Room which has again won a coveted international Wine Spectator Best of Award for Excellence for its 2021 wine list. Chef Hume is dedicated to sourcing local, sustainable and seasonal produce for a culinary style that is sophisticated, elegant and, at times, unexpected but consistently outstanding and authentic taste of Southland New Zealand.
Soak it up
Relax, rejuvenate and recharge, with Queenstown’s onsens, spas or therapeutic massage or a day exploring the town, shopping the boutiques and local brands for New Zealand-flavoured gifts and retail therapy, enjoying the cafes, parks and the wonderful Lake Wakatipu.
Try one treatment or try them all and be the most relaxed person in town to reap the physical and mental benefits;
- Create your very own fragrance in a perfume workshop at the brand new and very cool New Zealand concept Miller Road Fragrance Studio
- When you remove the force of gravity, you become weightless and release the stress with a one-hour salt float therapy in a sensory deprivation pod.
- Bliss out in treatment heaven at one of many top Queenstown Day Spas
- Health clubs, Chinese massage, wellness, fitness, and yoga studios can help you recharge.
- The Rees can arrange massage and treatments in the privacy of your hotel room or apartment.
Winter is event-full
Festivals, music, sport, culture, and fun: no matter the temperature, events of all sizes suit all interests in Queenstown all year ‘round, set against the city’s spectacular alpine backdrop. Welcome to Winter, Winter Games NZ, The Queenstown Marathon, and New Zealand Golf Open, to name just a few. The Rees Hotel holds its well-known Culinary Wine events– but remember how popular Queenstown is and book early to avoid disappointment!
Local event hack: contact The Rees’ concierge before your stay to get help with tickets. Drop in for a long weekend or stay for a month and sample more than just one! Discover what’s on in Queenstown.
Explore the Southland & Central Otago
Make Queenstown your base and travel forth to explore the whole amazing region. From Cardrona to Arrowtown, Te Anau and Fiordland to Lake Wakatipu, Walter Peak, Skippers Canyon, The Remarkables and the Shotover River, there is adventure, breathtaking scenery and surprises at every turn.
Explore on foot, by bicycle, road trip, rail, the historic steamship TSS Earnslaw or by helicopter; no matter your choice of transport, it’s all about an authentic taste of the Southland and experiencing a sense of place.
The choice is yours, from the best winter accommodation in Queenstown, The Rees Hotel. Choose adventure, ski, food and wine or a pure relaxation package, knowing your stay will be luxurious, the service top-level and views unmatched from your hotel room, apartment or lakeside residence at The Rees Hotel Queenstown.
The Rees Hotel Queenstown
377 Frankton Road, Queenstown Otago 9300, New Zealand
T: +64 (0) 3 450 1100 | E: reservations@therees.co.nz
