The Best Spas And Wellness Retreats In Queenstown New Zealand

Thanks to the copious opportunities for bungee jumping and skydiving nearby, Queenstown – which hugs the shores of Lake Wakatipu on the South Island of New Zealand – is best-known as a hub for adrenaline-pumping recklessness. However, there’s a more relaxed side to this coastal conurbation in the form of some top-rated spas and wellness retreats.

If you need a pampering after an intense adventure, there are spots to suit all tastes, from lakeside lodges to a salubrious vineyard retreats. Sit back, relax and enjoy this lovely showcase of the best in the area.

1. Hidden Lodge

Boutique Hotel

Outdoor hot tub overlooking clear blue water at Hidden Lodge Queenstown

Only five minutes outside of Central Queenstown (yet feeling completely disconnected from urban buzz), guests here should do their best to snag a suite with a private balcony. You’re unlikely to make use of your flat-screen TV, given that your room comes with endless views of Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables and Cecil Peak. They’re also generous with the freebies here – the minibar is stocked with complimentary alcoholic drinks. Plus a pre-dinner glass of wine and antipasto platter are included in the rate.

2. The Spire Hotel

Boutique Hotel

Large double bedroom with desk and bed end at The Spire Hotel

Skiers will appreciate the location of this boutique hotel, a mere ten-minute walk to the Skyline Gondola that can be seen from some of the bedroom windows. The diligent concierge team here offers the small touches you might come to expect from a five-star resort, including a tour of the building on arrival. They’ll gladly tell you everything you need to know to get gym access. By the time you get to your room, you’ll even find a complementary yoga mat.

4. Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa

Lodge

Set amid vines on a historic winery, these villas give you the chance to indulge not only in pampering, but a delicious pinot noir. Yes, all treatments come complete with a glass of bubbles, which you can enjoy in the relaxation room or on the patio. For even more relaxation, unwind in the sauna and secluded hot pools, where your cares will surely melt away.

5. Kamana Lakehouse

Boutique Hotel

Outdoor bath tub at Kamana Lakehouse overlooking the lake and mountains

This lakehouse is the highest-altitude accommodation in Queenstown. You’ll never feel more calmingly isolated from life’s stresses than when you’re here, relishing in countryside panoramas in the middle of nowhere. You can book sessions by the hour at Kamana Soak, a private hot tub experience bolstered by an unencumbered view of Lake Wakatipu. The decadent tubs can accommodate up to three adults. For those arriving to tackle the peaks on skis, there is a useful storage and dry room at the hotel.

6. Novotel Queenstown Lakeside

Hotel

Novotel Queenstown Lakeside on the waterfront surrounded by the hills and forestry

You’ll find this 273-room hotel on the shores of the lake, only metres away from Bay Beach and Gardens. This being a sizeable Novotel, the facilities are handy and plentiful; perks include valet parking, laundry, ski storage services and a helpful concierge team on-hand to book local excursions. The private spa and Jacuzzi can be booked from reception to ensure you have the entire area to yourself after an adventure-packed day.

7. Millbrook Resort Spa

Spa Hotel

Millbrook Resort Spa on the lake front with a snowy mountain backdrop

There’s a reason the Millbrook Spa has been dubbed the Top Spa Resort in New Zealand by the World Travel Awards time and time again. Set in the tranquil streets of Arrowtown, just a 15-minute drive from Queenstown, the resort has become a true favourite among both local and international visitors. There’s even a complimentary shuttle service to cater to the out-of-town interest. The five-star indulgence can come in the form of aromatic massages, skin-booster facials, or nourishing body-wellness treatments.

8. Spa at Nugget Point Hotel

Spa

Outdoor hot tub looking up at the stars and hillside from the spa at Nugget Point Hotel

If you’ve been skiing up a storm at Coronet Peak, the Grecian spa at the Nugget Point Hotel is the place to unwind. The resort sits at the bottom of the main road going into the ski range, before you arrive back into Queenstown – ideal for a quick splurge or, if you need it, a full night’s stay. Soak up the warm spa-pool waters, soothe your muscles with a massage or simply snuggle up to one of the upholstered couches in the relaxation lounges.

9. Eforea spa at the Hilton Hotel

Spa, Swimming Pool

Sleek indoor pool with sun beds at the Eforea spa in the Hilton Hotel

The lush eforea:spa has ten treatment rooms, which include two couples’ suites and a presidential spa with a balcony. Every single one of their pamper packages comes with complimentary use of the Hilton wellness facilities. That includes the fitness centre, heated indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam rooms. There are grooming options for men and women alike, as well as a selection of reinvigorating body massages, all guaranteed to bring everyone back into their element.

10. Sofitel Queenstown Spa

Spa

Sleek lounge with grand piano and seating at Sofitel Queenstown Spa

Sofitel spas are usually renowned for their French-inspired treatments, but the one in Queenstown is a fusion experience. Not only does this one incorporate Māori massage therapies; it offers Ataauhua body treatments and hammam baths. The opulence will hit you as soon as you step inside, as you’ll be welcomed by gold-coloured decor and furnishings that pay homage to the region’s extensive mining history.

Thalita Alves contributed additional reporting to this article.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.