The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments

The hotel offers a memorable experience, primarily distinguished by its stunning lake and mountain views that captivate guests from various vantage points, including rooms, balconies, and common areas. Its spacious rooms and apartments, often equipped with full kitchens and laundry facilities, are consistently highlighted, providing ample space for relaxation. The friendly and helpful staff contribute significantly to a positive stay, with their attentiveness and willingness to assist. A key convenience is the complimentary shuttle service to town, making exploration easy. The hotel maintains high standards of cleanliness, ensuring a comfortable environment. This tranquil setting, slightly removed from the town's hustle, makes it an ideal fit for couples seeking a peaceful retreat and families desiring spacious accommodations. To maximize the experience, guests are advised to request rooms on higher floors for unobstructed vistas and to book shuttle times in advance, especially during peak periods.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests appreciate the comprehensive range of facilities available, enhancing their stay. Many rooms and apartments feature convenient in-room washer/dryer units, with complimentary detergent often provided, which is particularly useful for longer stays. The hotel also offers guest laundry facilities for broader access. On-site parking is plentiful and easily accessible, often located underground. While some guests find the fitness center well-equipped, others note it can be small or located in less ideal areas. Many accommodations boast large balconies or terraces, perfect for enjoying the views, and some include a cozy fireplace. The lobby provides a water dispenser with sparkling water, and bike rentals are available for exploring the scenic surroundings. The presence of a 24-hour front desk and a coffee bar adds to the convenience, while a dedicated cellar offers wine tasting experiences. Some rooms feature luxurious jacuzzi baths or spa baths, and towel warmers are a common bathroom amenity. The hotel's layout, however, can be complex, requiring navigation through multiple elevators and corridors to reach certain rooms.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently commend the hotel's commitment to cleanliness, describing rooms and apartments as spotlessly clean and impeccably clean. While most find the beds comfortable, some note that mattresses can be too soft or consist of two singles pushed together, impacting sleep quality for a few. The bathrooms are generally praised as excellent and spacious, often featuring heated tile floors and heated mirrors. However, some guests experienced leaking showers, low shower pressure, or found the large window into the room necessitated keeping blinds closed for privacy. Issues with dark lighting and huge sinks that limit counter space were also mentioned. Noise levels are typically quiet, contributing to a peaceful stay, though some reviews mention occasional traffic noise from higher floors, airplane noise, or sounds from neighbors and noisy heat pumps, which can disturb light sleepers. In-room amenities like Nespresso coffee machines, Pukka tea, and complimentary milk are appreciated, along with thoughtful touches like chocolates on turn down.

Dining & Food Quality
Feedback on breakfast is mixed; most guests describe it as very good with a wide variety of options, including a bountiful buffet. However, a significant number of guests found the breakfast room too small, leading to crowding, chaos, and long waits for tables. Slow coffee service was a common complaint, and some guests were disappointed by the extra cost for specialty coffee. The overall quality was sometimes described as mediocre or average, with limited fruit options and inconsistent preparation of hot items. The restaurant, True South Dining Room, generally receives high praise for excellent food and delicious meals for dinner, with many considering it the best meal of their trip. Some guests noted inconsistent service or a lack of atmosphere in the dining room. The bar is appreciated for its beautiful view and good drinks, though it is described as small. Room service menus are often found to be limited, with some guests reporting overpriced food or specific dishes like terrible pizza.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location, positioned a bit outside Queenstown center, is valued for its peaceful ambiance, offering a serene escape from the town's crowds. It is situated directly on the lake, providing convenient access to a scenic walking/cycling path that leads directly into town, typically a 40-minute stroll. A major highlight is the complimentary hourly shuttle service to town, which guests find convenient, reliable, and very handy, although it can fill up quickly during busy periods, necessitating advance booking. Plentiful on-site parking is available, often underground, and is described as easy and free. The hotel is also conveniently located approximately 10 minutes from the airport. While many rooms boast stunning lake and mountain views, some guests reported obstructed views from lower floors or specific room types, where rooftops, driveways, or trees partially block the vista.

Staff & Service
The staff consistently receive overwhelmingly positive feedback, described as friendly, helpful, attentive, courteous, professional, warm, and welcoming. Many guests highlight their willingness to go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. The check-in process is frequently noted as smooth, easy, and personal, with staff often assisting with luggage and room orientation. The concierge service is highly praised for being knowledgeable and helpful, assisting with tour bookings, dinner reservations, and transportation. Housekeeping is commended for keeping rooms impeccably clean and for servicing daily, though a few minor inconsistencies were noted. The shuttle drivers are described as excellent, friendly, and on time. While restaurant staff are generally friendly and attentive, some guests experienced inconsistent service or mistakes with orders. The hotel is also lauded for being responsive and accommodating when issues arise, such as relocating rooms due to noise or changing mattresses.

Additional Information
The hotel incorporates sustainability initiatives, such as offering to plant a tree if daily room cleaning is forgone. Some guests noted the hotel's peculiar layout, requiring navigation through multiple lifts and corridors to reach certain rooms, which can feel like a "warren." In-room technology, specifically Chromecast connectivity, was reported to be problematic by some, and a lack of easily accessible outlets was also mentioned. Guests should be aware that bottled water in the room is typically chargeable, and some expressed disappointment about the absence of complimentary options. While advertised as luxury, some guests felt the hotel's decor and amenities, particularly in certain rooms, leaned more towards a mid-range feel. Occasional airport noise was reported by a few guests. A credit card fee was noted by one reviewer. Bathrooms feature a towel warmer, which some found useful but others cautioned about accidental contact. A pillow menu is available for personalized comfort. Complimentary chocolates are provided during turn-down service, and complimentary guest laundry facilities are a valued amenity. For those with electric vehicles, the hotel offers ample EV charging spots.