Hotel Profile: The Rees Hotel Queenstown

The five-star apartment-style hotel is considered one of the great hotels of Queenstown. Quentin Long checks in to see if The Rees is much more than its incredible views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables.

Part ski lodge, part luxury apartment hotel the Rees delivers an outstanding refined stay no matter what Queenstown experience you seek, whether it’s skiing in winter, mountain biking, hiking in summer, or enjoying food, wine, and culture.

The Rees boasting the signature Queenstown views of the lake — The Rees is beautifully set on Lake Wakatipu.

The two-bedroom apartments are the most popular option as they come with a full kitchen and dining area, laundry, huge living quarters, and mum-friendly separate bathrooms for each bedroom. Each apartment also features a balcony for alfresco summer sunset drinks.

Guests can expect outstanding service and all the facilities needed for a memorable Queenstown stay including a fine dining restaurant.

the dining lounge of the superior one bedroom apartment at The Rees Queenstown — The apartments are spacious.

The Rees backstory

The Rees is officially The Rees Luxury Apartments and Residences, but it holds such an iconic status in Queenstown that it became known as “The Rees" shortly after opening in 2007.

The Rees is named for William Gilbert Rees, a Welsh settler who built the first buildings in what would become Queenstown. The first truly luxury modern hotel in Queenstown, it immediately achieved icon status for its high-end facilities, incredible location, and top-notch service.

the property exterior of The Rees Queenstown — The Rees is an icon of Queenstown.

The hotel is a typical strata development with most of the apartments being privately owned (reportedly mostly by Australians) and managed by the hotel management company that was formed exclusively for the hotel.

The Rees first impressions

From the start, The Rees reflects the essence of NZ luxury – understated yet incredibly high-quality. The entrance is restrained so as not to compete with the rock star of the entire hotel – the views of the lake and mountains.

From the approach, glimpses of the magnificent lake and mountain views draw you in and take some breath away. Inside, the vaulted ceiling with wooden cross beams, fireplace, and lounges are the warm embrace of a ski lodge.

a room full of wines at The Rees Queenstown — You’ll find a cellar stocked with an impressive selection of drops. (Image: Quentin Long)

The concierge desk faces the reception and Bordeau Wine Bar. Guests are served at the bar as they settle into the snug blonde lounges and wooden framed occasional chairs to chat, nibble, play cards, or simply enjoy the warmth of the fire and views.

Hidden in a small anteroom next to the bar is a cellar jammed with an astonishing array of great local, Aussie and Bordeaux wines. They are so reasonably priced it feels truly like a good friend’s cellar. Well, perhaps friends we would love to know…

The room

The Executive Lakeview two-bedroom apartment is simply designed with spacious living areas to maximise the panoramic lake views.

the balcony view inside the Penthouse at The Rees Queenstown — The penthouse boasts picturesque lake and mountain vistas.

The front door opens to a tiled centre corridor that evenly divides the first two-thirds of the apartment before revealing the enormous carpeted lounge, terrace and of course, views of the mountains and lake.

the dining and kitchen at the superior two bedroom apartment at The Rees Queenstown — The rooms have a fully-equipped kitchen and dining area.

A modestly sized second bedroom and main bathroom peel off the corridor, before the open kitchen and dining table fit snugly into a half-apartment-width space. On the opposite side of the corridor is the master bedroom and ensuite.

To maximise space, the master bedroom is accessed via two sliding doors that meet to form the corner of the room.

a look inside the superior two bedroom apartment at The Rees Queenstown — Sleep soundly in the superior two-bedroom apartment.

The L-shaped lounge faces a centred slate-coloured fireplace with a wall-mounted TV on one side and a desk and chairs occupying the other side of the wall.

The stylish wooden and sandy tones are found throughout the apartment. The finishing and fixtures are all high quality and durable.

the kitchen and dining of the one bedroom lakeside view apartment at The Rees Queenstown — Each suite is complete with all the comforts you need.

The facilities

The True South Dining Room is a fine dining restaurant but does have a kids menu. The dining room also serves a full buffet breakfast and lunch.

the elegant True South Dining Room at The Rees Queenstown — Nab a seat at the sophisticated and elegant True South Dining Room.

The wine list is careful and while not huge, considerable for its diversity and quality. The kitchen also delivers snacks and meals to the Bordeau Wine Bar. For the record that is not a typo, the wine bar is in fact named after a local legend, Jules Bordeau who plodded up and down Skippers Canyon for most of his life.

a plate of food at The Rees Dining — Enjoy culinary delights paired with award-winning wines.

As expected there is a dedicated wet room for skis, boards and mountain bikes. The hotel also has a gym and massages are available in room. Reception is operated 24 hours.

the library at The Rees Queenstown — Get cosy in the onsite library.

The Rees also operates a complimentary shuttle to the city centre and their transport fleet can also be used for private touring, booked through the concierge.

In line with Queenstown’s stated objective to be carbon neutral by 2030, there are a number of EV charging stations.

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The location

The Rees has its own jetty to access Lake Wakatipu. It is 3kms or a 5-minute drive from the centre of town and 5kms from the airport.

the private wharf at The Rees Queenstown — The property’s private jetty.

Sustainability

The hotel has a significant sustainability commitment across Tourism & Tikai Promise, People & Community, Environmental, and Economic and was awarded a Qualmark Gold status and the Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards in 2018 and 2020.

the main foyer at The Rees Queenstown — Queenstown’s first truly modern hotel epitomises lakeside luxury.

What we loved

The location and views as well as the luxe interiors and furnishings. The staff were outstanding.

the lake view from True South Dining Room at The Rees Queenstown — The views from The Rees are simply extraordinary. (Image: Quentin Long)

What we would change

A little more lounge space in the bar area – occasionally it was a bit competitive for the best spots.

Details

Address: 377 Frankton Road, Queenstown

Phone number: +64 (0) 3 450 1100

Price: From $245

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

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In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

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It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

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The Rees Hotel Queenstown: where luxury meets spectacular scenery