The Rees Hotel Queenstown: A Resort for All Seasons

First published in 2019. Queenstown's activities and The Rees's own packages change from season to season, so check what's running before you travel.

The Rees Hotel is one of those bucket-list New Zealand luxury resorts worth visiting at least once, for a lineup of great reasons. For one, it's located in scenic Queenstown, straddling the shores of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu with a dramatic backdrop of mountain ranges. And it combines a stunning location with a natural playground which appeals to adventurers of all types, especially couples seeking a romantic getaway from it all. You'll stay in luxury accommodation with a view, and have a menu of adventure-filled activities to fill your days, whatever the season, because Queenstown and neighbouring Wanaka tick all the boxes for romance, outdoor fun and more. Here's our pick of the good life for couples at The Rees, season by season.

Spring

Queenstown has one of the longest snow seasons in the southern hemisphere, and stable weather, which puts early spring skiing on the agenda for guests of The Rees (more on the ski fields under winter, below).

If you prefer being up in the air for longer, a scenic flight is also ideal during the spring months. The Milford Extended flight with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters is a breathtaking helicopter adventure: it takes you along Lake Wakatipu and above Queenstown, then the length of the scenic fiord before landing on a secluded west coast beach.

Another tempting heli-experience is The Rees's Ultimate Queenstown Heli Wine Tasting tour for two. It begins with a luxury transfer to the local airport, along with a glass of champagne, from where you will be whisked away by The Helicopter Line along the famous Gibbston Valley and Kawarau Gorge to Mt Difficulty Winery for your first tasting and lunch. Afterwards, you'll fly to the award-winning Rippon Vineyard to taste some organic wines overlooking spectacular Lake Wanaka, and on the way back to Queenstown there's a pit stop in the Cardrona Valley to enjoy a drink at the historic Cardrona pub.

Back on the ground, spring is a lovely time to explore the region at your leisure and take in the colourful spring flowers. If you fancy getting out on Lake Wakatipu, fishing is also on the agenda, and for those who prefer a touch of pampering, you can head for Onsen Hot Pools, which is situated high on a cliffside overlooking the Shotover River. Besides gorgeous alpine scenery, the pools are warm and sheltered on cool or rainy days, with retractable picture windows and a roof, converting your pool room from indoor to outdoor and back again at the touch of a button!

Summer

Queenstown is a year-round golfing destination, as well as home to some of the most spectacular golf courses in New Zealand, but the courses really start to come alive in summer, making golf an ideal leisure activity for visitors to The Rees. There are seven golf courses to choose from, all within a 45-minute drive of the property, which will appeal to every level of golfer. Whether you're wooed by the lush, groomed greens of a resort course, or love the idea of a simple fairway with a backdrop of rugged mountain peaks, there will be a course to suit.

Options include Frankton Golf Centre, a nine-hole course with a driving range; Jack's Point, a championship golf course; and Over The Top's Fly/Drive/Putt, which enjoys a picturesque location at 4,500ft and a par-three golf hole. Meanwhile Queenstown Golf Club is an 18-hole course on the Kelvin Peninsula, surrounded by Lake Wakatipu, and Arrowtown Golf Club is a more challenging 18-hole course without bunkers. Finally, Millbrook Resort is home of the ISPS Handa New Zealand Open, and there's yet another championship course at The Hills. In Queenstown, golf services include tours, transfers and club hire.

Mountain biking and hiking trails also come to life in summer in this neck of the woods, with options including Queenstown Hill, Ben Lomond and the Moke Lake Loop, all around Queenstown. Guests of The Rees can rent a bike to explore the local terrain and scenery, and you can also get started on two wheels right from the beginning of your visit with the Cycle The Rees transfer, making the journey from the airport one to savour. You'll be collected from the airport on arrival and guided along the scenic Frankton Track to The Rees on hard-tail Merida mountain bikes. On arrival at the resort you'll be greeted by friendly staff and enjoy a glass of bubbles or a beer, with your bags having been safely tucked away in your accommodation beforehand.

And finally, for those who like even more adrenaline-packed activities, Lake Wakatipu is right on your doorstep and never more inviting than in the summer months. Jet boating is suitable for all ages and levels of fitness: all you have to do is sit back, buckle yourself in and feel the acceleration, and Queenstown offers a number of alluring options, taking you on an adventure through diverse waterways, pristine lakes and secret canyons. They include the braided Dart River, which ventures deep into Mount Aspiring National Park and winds its way through Lord of the Rings filming locations and grand alpine wilderness. Just a short drive from Queenstown is the turquoise Shotover River, which travels through towering canyons and huge rocks, and the Kawarau River, which flows eastwards from Lake Wakatipu and is famous for dramatic gorges, strong currents and its bright blue colour.

Other activities to whet an adrenaline-fuelled appetite include skydiving, paragliding, whitewater rafting and luging. Queenstown is also famously the birthplace of commercial bungy jumping, with the first jumps made from the historic Kawarau Bridge near the town. Today you can still enjoy a freestyle bungy from 43 metres high, combining a heart-stopping experience with epic Queenstown views.

Autumn

If the cooler weather has you thinking about a spot of pampering, The Rees has offered in-house spa treatments to help you unwind or look your best, from a couples' massage or a hot stone body wrap to a rejuvenating hydrating facial.

Wine tasting is a popular leisure activity in these parts for good reason, thanks to world-class local wineries and cellar doors. Besides the heli wine tour, The Rees's Grape Escape is also an experience worth considering: a three-night stay with a private tour in a luxury vehicle with local guides, who will share their knowledge of New Zealand wines and take you to four of the region's best wineries.

At any time of year, a visit to charming Arrowtown is also a must. A gold rush village just 25 minutes from Queenstown, it's nestled below the beautiful peaks surrounding the Arrow River, and in autumn it's a wonderful place to view the striking autumn foliage or go on a historic tour. If you need a caffeine break, or you're looking for some unique mementos, head to Arrowtown's Patagonia Chocolates. It has over 50 handcrafted chocolate products on offer, beautifully packaged chocolate gift boxes, and it serves its own blend of freshly roasted coffee.

Winter

Queenstown enjoys one of the longest snow seasons in the southern hemisphere, welcoming skiers and snowboarders from June to October. The region is home to a number of world-famous ski fields, with true alpine terrain and virgin snow, and guests of The Rees are spoiled for choice: the closest, Coronet Peak, is only 20 minutes from the resort by car. The Rees has partnered with Snopro Ski Rental Delivery to offer its guests convenient, hassle-free ski hire; Snopro delivers and custom-fits ski rentals in the comfort of your accommodation, with a follow-up service and collection included.

Other options include heli-skiing, which comes with the bonus of a spectacular helicopter flight up the Southern Alps. And for those who want to explore Queenstown's spectacular scenery and enjoy luxurious food and wine, The Rees's Soho Experience included a day of cat-skiing at Soho, with a gourmet three-course lunch and Amisfield wines on the deck of the Alpine Hut.

The Queenstown Winter Festival is one of New Zealand and the southern hemisphere's biggest celebrations of winter. Held over four days in late June, it draws thousands to venues from the lake shore to the mountain tops for a diverse collection of events, including live music, competitive mountain exploits, comedy, fireworks, culinary creativity and polar lake plunging. There's also the Winter Pride festival, held in late August, with on-mountain and off-mountain events and parties.

Editor's update: The Queenstown Winter Festival described here was cancelled in 2023, and NZSki has announced a smaller revival from 2026. Winter Pride continues, now running from late August into September.

Another pastime to tick off your list at any time of year, but especially during the spectacular winter months, is an après-ski dinner and wine tasting in the True South Dining Room. Headed up at the time by executive chef and rising culinary star Ben Batterbury, this award-winning dining venue creates menus each month which showcase the spectacular produce available in Central Otago, coupled with a wine list combining the fine wines and vintages of France, Italy and Australia with the famous producers of New Zealand.

Year round

Food and wine experiences are popular among visitors to this part of New Zealand year round, thanks to abundant local produce and wineries. But guests didn't have to venture far to enjoy the best that the region had to offer, thanks to The Rees Culinary Dinners: a series of intimate gatherings held throughout the year, where you could taste paired dishes created in the award-winning True South Dining Room and sample some of the top wines from local winemakers. One extra special evening matched five courses from a hand-crafted menu to a selection of five Taittinger champagnes.

Also one to put on your list, whatever the season, is a scenic ride on the iconic Skyline Gondola. The steepest cable car lift in the southern hemisphere will sweep you some 450 metres above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu to the top of Bob's Peak, to enjoy 220-degree panoramic views taking in Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Walter and Cecil Peaks, and Queenstown. If you prefer being on the water, a day trip on the century-old steamship TSS Earnslaw is also an option. The ship makes a leisurely 90-minute cruise across Lake Wakatipu several times a day, showcasing some of Queenstown's spectacular alpine scenery and offering you the opportunity to explore a piece of Queenstown's living history.

And finally there's golf once more, with The Rees's Bespoke Birdie pairing a stay with play on one of the region's top courses, Jack's Point. You'll travel in style to the course, with a backdrop of the spectacular Remarkables mountain range and stunning lake panoramas, and experience golfing terrain suitable for beginners through to pros. Then, at the end of the day, you can celebrate your win back at The Rees's Bordeau Wine Lounge, enjoying in-season local produce, vegetables, cheeses and condiments paired with fine wines from New Zealand and Bordeaux.

Editor's note. This article brings together UTM's original The Rees Hotel Queenstown: A Resort for All Seasons feature, first published in two parts, into a single piece. Consolidated and fact-checked on 22 September 2026.