Million-dollar view with luxury
Tasteful luxury is complemented by killer lake and alpine views at The Rees, Queenstown, writes Laura Baker.
The Rees Hotel, a five-star luxury hotel in Queenstown. The Rees is perched on Lake Wakatipu’s shoreline, nestled between the lake and Frankton Rd, a busy stretch linking Queenstown and Frankton. It’s not the convenient location to Queenstown that makes it noteworthy, although that’s not bad with either a five minute drive or a brisk 20-minute walk into town. It’s the unobstructed, multi-million dollar view of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range that makes this property a stunner. Despite being located on the main drag motorists don’t know what they are missing out on thanks to the slopping landscape that hides The Rees from the road. The rooms aren’t as flashy as the lobby, rather understated elegance is the decor style of choice. Tasteful shades of cream furnish the expansive rooms. A minimal approach to decor is the right choice when there’s such an incredible view quite literally on the doorstep. The hotel’s 150 rooms are terraced, meaning each has an unobstructed, panoramic lake and alpine outlook. I’m in the executive one-bedroom apartment. The apartment has all of the amenities needed including a full-sized kitchen, laundry, lounge and dining space. If overpriced bottled water and chocolate bars are your thing then there’s a well stocked mini bar too. A nightly turn-down service is topped off with a chocolate from Patagonia Chocolates. The bed is heavenly, it envelopes my body in a soft, spongy embrace. The shower head’s pressure is bang on and the floral scented toiletries are top quality. Thankfully, there’s a gas fireplace in the lounge to ward off the cold and create a snugly ambience. There’s nothing better than being parked up by a fire, looking out onto snowy mountains. Stay in at The Rees for a meal at True South Dining Room. Or, like myself, make the 20-minute drive to the classy dining destination of Arrowtown. There you’ll find Saffron restaurant and across the historic alley there’s The Blue Door bar. If those names sound familiar that’s because Justin Bieber made these spots internationally famous when he opted to hang out there during his Queenstown holiday in March. Prior to the Biebs gracing these small-town spots with his presence they were well-known in their own right. Saffron featured in Conde Nast Traveller’s ‘ Top 100 Tables’ of the world’s most exciting restaurants. Saffron’s European cuisine is as good as it comes in the region. It’s fine dining without the pretentious atmosphere. When in Arrowtown it’s a must to stop into The Blue Door for a drink by the roaring open fire. If you’re holiday-mode drop in both before and after dinner next door. Japanese food more your thing? Check out Kappa on Mall St in Queenstown. Its fresh, beautifully presented food leaves you feeling full without being heavy. Adrenalin-junkie experiences is what Queenstown is known for, but equally there’s heaps of ways to chill-out in the alpine town. Drift off to sleep at the hands of a beauty therapist at Hush Spa, on Rees St in the CBD. Its organic facial melted away my stresses and left my skin feeling baby soft. I typically opt for back massages, but Hush Spa made me a facial convert. Prefer active relaxation? Then a jaunt up Queenstown Hill should see you right. Leaving from the town centre it’s roughly an hour to the summit. It’s a fairly short mountain walk, but the steep incline means your heart will be racing by the top. Your efforts will be rewarded at the summit with a 360-degree view of The Remarkables, Cecil Peak and parts of Lake Wakatipu. Grab a photo at the lookout by The Basket of Dreams, a large iron sculpture. Finish up a relaxing day with a trip to Dorothy Browns boutique cinema in Arrowtown, just above Saffrons. The charming little cinema shows a collection of art house and blockbuster films. Two nights weren’t enough. I would have happily spent a week, or more, lapping in the comfortables of my room and taking in more of Queenstown. It wasn’t on my itinerary, but a front row view of the sunrise from my room’s balcony was a top highlight. Flying into Queenstown is without a doubt the quickest and most scenic way to arrive. The flight path follows the spine of the Southern Alpines offering scenery most would charge big bucks to see. Grab a direct flight from any of New Zealand’s main centres and you’ll be there in a flash. If you’re already in the South Island then driving to Queenstown will probably be the easiest and cheapest option. So jump in the car and go. Prices start from $335 per night for a superior hotel room. For an additional $32.50 guests can enjoy a cooked breakfast, or $23.50 will get a continental start to the day. The Rees is launching five new lakefront luxury penthouse residences this winter. See therees.co.nz. ● The writer travelled courtesy of Destination Queenstown and The Rees.