The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments enjoys a prime lakefront location on the Frankton Road approach to Queenstown. The complex is named after William Gilbert Rees, the pioneer settler and founder of Queenstown, and throughout the property you will find touches that allude to this heritage. The hotel rooms and apartments are spacious and beautifully finished, with careful touches of luxury and colour. Constructed to be warm in winter and cool in summer, the design draws on the strong natural landforms of the surrounding Otago landscape and the enduring building traditions of the settlers.
who's been there
Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our New Zealand specialists on 01993 838 820
Rooms
All rooms open out onto a balcony with panoramic views over the lake to the mountains beyond. The one, two and three bedroom apartments are available with a lake view option, which we highly recommend. They each have super king beds, gas fires in the living area, fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities and large bathrooms with walk-in showers and a spa bath in the three bedroom apartment. Lake view hotel rooms are available with either a walk-in shower or a spa bath.
Location
The property is situated on the lakefront, around two kilometres from the centre of Queenstown, where you will find a huge selection of restaurants, shops and activities. A courtesy shuttle bus is available for guests, or it is a scenic 25 minute walk along the lake to the centre of town.
Food and Drink
The Rees wine cellar houses some of the finest New Zealand and Bordeaux wines for guests to sample during their stay. Local seasonal ingredients are used to create delicious menus, which are updated monthly and served in the hotel's restaurant, True South. Alternatively, you can travel into town to sample one of Queenstown's many fantastic restaurants and bars.
Facilities and Activities
The main building houses the Rees gallery, library and wine cellar, as well as the bar. The on-site award-winning restaurant, True South, serves fine dining with a creative twist. We particularly like the True South observatory, which provides a fabulous viewpoint to gaze at the stars of the southern sky.
Our opinion
Given their size, the rooms here are superb value for money, with the compromise being that you are a little way out of town. Please note, there are lots of steps at this property.
Suggested itineraries featuring the Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments
New Zealand Great Outdoors
New Zealand Family Explorer
Highlights of New Zealand
Highlights of New Zealand (non-driving)
New Zealand's Wildlife self-drive
Cultural New Zealand self-drive
Classic New Zealand self-drive
Australia & New Zealand Uncovered
Queenstown itinerary suggestions
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Australia & New Zealand Uncovered
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New Zealand's Wildlife self-drive
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Luxury New Zealand self-drive
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Highlights of New Zealand (non-driving)
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New Zealand's Food & Wine Trail self-drive
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Highlights of New Zealand
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Ultimate luxury tour of New Zealand
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New Zealand Great Outdoors
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New Zealand Family Explorer
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Classic New Zealand self-drive
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Cultural New Zealand self-drive
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Golfing through New Zealand
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New Zealand Luxury South Island Fishing Tour
Nearby accommodation
Nearby places
Places & hotels on the map
Alternative places to stay nearby
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favourite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can’t be bettered.
Azur Lodge
Azur Lodge enjoys a great location just outside Queenstown, truly maximising its breathtaking lake views. The main lodge building is perched on the hillside, with every room facing out towards the lake and the mountains beyond.
Brown's Boutique Hotel
Browns Boutique is a friendly and intimate hotel with great views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, and is only a short walk away from the town centre and waterfront.
Eichardt's Private Hotel
With the best location in Queenstown, Eichardts Private Hotel has the town and the lake on its doorstep, and is a prime example of opulence and true style.
Heritage Hotel
With an elevated position on a forested hillside, the Heritage Hotel overlooks Lake Wakatipu. Its modern and spacious rooms offer a variety stunning views.
Hidden Lodge
Hidden Lodge is elegant and luxurious and provides a unique experience by combining the sophistication of a small private hotel with the warmth of a large family home.
Kinross Cottages
Fine wine, good food and stylish lodgings make Kinross Cottages an enviable place to relax and sample the wines of the central Otago region. Set on a vineyard with sweeping views, it makes a good base for exploring the area.
Matakauri Lodge
Overlooking Lake Wakatipu, Matakauri is luxury lodge offering fine dining, superb service and beautiful accommodation in a wonderful setting.
Novotel Queenstown Lakeside
This modern hotel offers a comfortable stay in the heart of Queenstown, next to the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the stunning Southern Alps.
Queenstown House
Overlooking Queenstown Bay, with spectacular lake and mountain views, Queenstown House offers charming B&B accommodation with a genuine commitment to providing New Zealand hospitality at its best.
The Dairy Private Hotel
The Dairy Private Hotel is a welcoming, small boutique hotel only 150 metres from Queenstown's town centre, and is surrounded by wonderful lake and mountain views
The Spire
The Spire hotel is only a few minutes from the lake edge, and offers luxurious accommodation within the heart of the bars and restaurants of Queenstown.
Experiences while staying here
The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you’re staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident’s eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area’s inhabitants.
4x4 Safari of Scenes
The perfect tour for those who want the thrills of an off-road adventure but also want to discover exciting 'Lord of the Rings' film locations.
Dart River Wilderness Safari
Board the Dart River jet-boat on a white-knuckle ride for an hour and a half up the narrow, meandering waterway, into real wilderness country.
Hot Air Balloon Flight
Depart early this morning on your hot air balloon flight over the magnificent scenery surrounding Queenstown. Lift off usually takes place in the valleys between Queenstown and Arrowtown with magnificent views of the unique terrain.
River and Rings Horseback Ride
Dart Stables provide a superb riding experience through some of New Zealand's most breathtaking scenery. You will journey through locations used in such films as 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Willow' whilst taking in the spectacular surroundings.
Routeburn Track — 3 Days
Climb a well-graded track to Key Summit, where you can sit among the alpine plants and partake in 'The Annual General Meeting of the Mountains'. You then descend to Lake Howden before gradually climbing through lush silver beech forest to the base of Earland Falls: quite a sight in wet weather!
Shotover River Jet Boat
The Shotover Jet is an adrenaline fuelled jet boat trip through the Shotover Canyon, which towers over you on either side. Skim around crags and boulders and then enjoy the sensation as the boat spins around 360 degrees in its own length.
TSS Earnslaw cruise to Walter Peak High Country Farm
Affectionately know as the 'Lady of the Lake', the TSS Earnslaw has been steaming the length of Lake Wakatipu since 1912. You can watch sheepdogs in action, see the shearing or even try your hand at wool spinning. After morning or afternoon tea you then steam back to Queenstown.