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.
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.
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.
You can book in-villa massages and mini-spa treatments at this lakeside lodge, with sublime views from the floor-to-ceiling windows to pour over as you’re pampered. If you’re into yoga, each villa comes with a mat so that you can practise at your own pace. Alternatively, the staff are happy to recommend local classes or arrange private tuition. If you want a truly Instagrammable detour, the popular Onsen Hot Pool spa is just 15 minutes away and has splendid views over the Shotover River Canyon.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Courtesy of Eforea spa at the Hilton Hotel / Expedia
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.
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.
These recommendations were updated on April 28, 2021 to keep your travel plans fresh.
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