The Rees Hotel

The Rees Hotel sits on the shore of Lake Wakatipu at 377 Frankton Road, with lake and alpine views from its rooms and apartments. It describes itself as a sophisticated five-star hotel and carries Qualmark Gold accreditation.

Accommodation ranges from hotel rooms to apartments and lakeside residences. Hotel rooms come in Superior, Lake View and Executive Lake View grades, the last with a private terrace, and the same grades apply to one, two and three-bedroom apartments. At the top end are the Executive Lake View Penthouse, a Lakeside Three Bedroom Villa and The Rees Residence; the villa and residence each have three ensuite bedrooms and a private hot tub. Apartments come with kitchens, washer-dryers and balconies, which makes them a practical choice for families, longer stays and ski trips. Free high-speed Wi-Fi is provided throughout, and there is secure parking for those with a car.

Food and wine are central to the hotel's appeal. The True South Dining Room serves seasonal Central Otago produce and is listed as MICHELIN Selected in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide New Zealand; the tourism board describes it as intimate and suited to romantic dinners, with a chef who works closely with local farmers and fishers and uses hops in interesting ways. The Bordeaux Wine Lounge has held a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for 13 consecutive years, so it is a good place to explore the wine list before or after dinner.

Other facilities include a fully equipped gym open 24 hours a day for hotel guests, a curated library of rare books and art, and a private beach and wharf with exclusive access for guests. The hotel notes that the lake stays at around 11 to 13 degrees year-round, so a swim off the beach is bracing.

Getting around is straightforward. A complimentary shuttle runs to central Queenstown, a ski bus stop is directly in front of the hotel, and Uber is available. That makes The Rees a good compromise for travellers who want lake views and space without being in the busiest part of town.

The hotel suits couples, families in the apartments and food and wine lovers. Reservations can be made directly through the hotel's website or by email to the reservations team, and dining reservations for True South can be made online.