The Rees Hotel Queenstown’s Lakeside Residences, New Zealand

The Rees Hotel is a stunning five-star luxury boutique hotel with five new Lakeside Residences adjacent to, but separate from, the main building, located on the banks of New Zealand’s spectacular Lake Wakatipu. Here’s what is special about this new accommodation option, and why they are a must-visit.

• Location: Lakeside on Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, New Zealand.
• Accommodations: The Rees Lakeside Residences are spacious 164 square metre, three bedroom, three-and-half bathroom, air-conditioned villas. With expansive lake and mountain views, they are ideal for couples, extended families or groups of friends looking for private luxury accommodation with space and independence. 
• Dining options: Dining at The Rees is an experience for food and wine lovers, with the multi-award winning True South Dining Room consistently regarded as one of Queenstown’s hottest restaurants, and Executive Chef and culinary star Ben Batterbury at the helm. Gourmet breakfast provisions are on offer at the Residences, however, including house-made bread and muesli, fresh pastries, local spreads, and artisan meats and cheeses - all replenished daily. During your stay, the Executive Chef and his team are also on-hand to offer a private dining experience like no other. A specially designed menu of your choice, including freshly caught fish, local venison, lamb or pork can be arranged, as well as a Resident Sommelier who can match the perfect wines to complement your menu. The True South team will prepare your meal in the comfort of your villa, giving you the chance to take in those incredible lakefront views, while enjoying a lineup of fine food and wine. 
• What else is there: Besides all the facilities the hotel offers, and unlike any other hotel in New Zealand, The Rees Residences have the services of a ‘Luxury Travel Curator’ who is available for your private use throughout your stay. As your 24/7 contact, he can provide every luxury from welcome drinks, amenities and linen, to fresh fruit, flowers and bottled water, evening turndown service, and daily servicing of your Residence. The Rees also offers additional services and facilities which include in-room spa treatments, personal shopping, personal trainers, jet boat transfers, and more.
• What’s nearby: Queenstown’s lineup of attractions are conveniently close by. Depending on the season, activities include playing golf at one of seven local courses, all within a 45 minute drive; jet boating, white water rafting, and skydiving, four ski areas, a wine tasting at The Rees’ Bordeau Wine lounge or nearby wineries and cellar doors in Gibbston, heli-wine and heli-ski tours, hiking and biking trails, guided tours, boat cruises, and scenic flights.
• Why go: For a private and romantic retreat for couples, to a spacious holiday haven for families and groups of friends, The Rees Lakeside Residences tick all the boxes. From a stunning location with mountain and lake views, to the indulgent facilities, you may never need (or wish) to venture out. The renowned consistently excellent service and wonderful attitude of their staff is also a major drawcard.

The Space

The Rees Hotel epitomises southern hospitality and an authentic taste of New Zealand at its finest. Sophisticated and quiet, with an atmosphere of understated elegance and comfort, it is the kind of property guests return to time and again. The panoramic views of the lake and mountains beyond are ever-changing and spectacular from every room and the service is intuitive and simply impeccable. The Residences in particular make it an ideal venue for romantic getaways, as it offers privacy, an opportunity to be self-contained with discreet service, and it’s an easy and picturesque walk around the lake into the heart of Queenstown. And there’s more beyond luxurious and spacious accommodation options, including a fine dining restaurant which is well worth sparing an evening for.   

Where We Stayed

My married friends and I shared a brand-new Lakeside Residence for our three-night stay. Entry is via either the automatic garage door into the lower level, which offers two bedrooms, a bathroom and access to the private outdoor spa overlooking the lake, or via the front door to the staircase that leads up into the huge, light, elegantly designed and decorated living space. We were welcomed by the delicious aroma of freshly baked bread (baked daily for us in our Residence and accompanied by local butter and honey), and were provided an antipasto platter and a recipe with all the ingredients from the Executive Chef in case we were feeling like cooking something special. The living room was modern, clean and tastefully furnished. A full-length window faced the spectacular lake and mountain views, stretching from one side of the room to the other, with a gas fireplace providing heat and coziness as the season demands. The open-plan kitchen and formal dining area faced the view which is mesmerising at any time of day. The vast main bedroom also had floor to ceiling windows accessing the upper deck and the view, coming with a desk/workstation and spacious dressing room. The massive and superbly appointed ensuite featured a separate bath and shower, dual vanities, heated towel rail and luxurious amenities. Underfloor heating adds to the sense of opulence and is a real treat on the cold mornings that Queenstown is known for in winter. The experience is decadent, and at the same time superbly comfortable from either the living area with sofas and throws that invite a snooze, or simple contemplation of THAT view or from the cosy warmth and comfort of the super king-sized bed. 

UltimateTravelMagazine.com Loves 

• Your personal Travel Curator is on hand to meet you at the airport in one of our luxury European vehicles.
• The private lakeside setting, complete with panoramic views from every window.
• The contemporary and luxurious decor.
• The sense of spaciousness.

Insider Tips  

• The hotel is around a 20-minute walk to the town centre, but if you have the time, take a bike; try the ones available at the hotel. Otherwise there is a regular shuttle which runs throughout the day.

The Details

The Rees Hotel, Luxury Apartments & Lakeside Residences is located at 377 Frankton Rd, Queenstown, New Zealand, www.therees.co.nz.