Visiting the Queenstown Onsen Hot Pools: A Relaxing Retreat
Imagine soaking in a cedar-lined hot tub, surrounded by beautiful views of the Shotover River Canyon. This is exactly what you get at the Onsen Hot Pools in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Located just 10 minutes from downtown Queenstown, this boutique spa offers a unique and relaxing experience with stunning New Zealand scenery.
As you relax in the warm water, you’re treated to views of the rugged landscape while you enjoy a delicious beverage and snack. The Onsen Hot Pools are the perfect relaxing retreat from the busyness of Queenstown.
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Our Onsen Hot Pools experience
The Onsen Hot Pools are actually outside Queenstown. It was a pretty easy 10 – 12 minute drive yet it also felt secluded and peaceful out there. Follow the driving directions on the website.
They also offer a complimentary shuttle, but you have to request this service at the time you make your booking and only accommodates those who make bookings on the hour (5 p.m., 8 p.m., etc.)
There is a bit of a walk from the parking area to the building which is situated overlooking the river.
We checked in at the front desk for our Original Onsen experience and were each asked to choose a beverage and a snack. I chose a sparkling lemon beverage and potato chips/crisps. Hubby chose ice cream and a fruit juice.
After waiting in the relaxing lobby area for a little while (which was quite warm), we were escorted to our hot pool room and given a brief introduction to the features there.
I was immediately struck by the wonderful view of the Shotover River Canyon.
The cedar-lined hot tubs are the main attraction, of course. The water is heated to quite a comfortable temperature. Each private pool accommodates up to four people, perfect for couples or small groups. In my opinion, there was ample room for two people but I’m not sure I’d want to do four in there.
You’ll have 60 minutes to soak and unwind while enjoying the panoramic scenery. The time allotted includes time for changing back into street clothes before leaving the room. You will be notified once you reach the 50-minute mark. That may seem short, but we found that was plenty of time to enjoy the water, the view, and our snack. We were ready to get out. Any longer than that and I would have needed more water.
You can have the windows up, which we did or you can lower them much like an automatic garage door.
You can book your Onsen Hot Pools experience directly through their website.
More thoughts and some recommendations
- Book your experience ahead of time if you can. In busy seasons and on weekends, spots can book up fast.
- Onsen Hot Pools also offers some standard day spa services that you can add to your experience.
- You can easily drive yourself to the Onsen Hot Pools if you have your own vehicle or you can request a shuttle ride…just make sure you understand the restrictions and guidelines before you do this.
- There are a few different experiences you can book. We did the Original Onsen and we loved the privacy that we had. I recommend you read the description of each experience very thoroughly before you book. There are some differences I didn’t notice at first when skimming through the website.
- Towels are provided.
- Our experience came with our choice each of a beverage and a snack, which I thought was so fun. They also provided cool water so we could keep hydrated during our soak.
- We booked a 3 p.m. soak so that we would have plenty of time to enjoy our experience, drive back to Queenstown, and then relax a little before dinner at our hotel. This worked out beautifully for us. We felt soooo chill and relaxed after our soak that I’m glad we only had quiet activities for the rest of the day.
- Onsen Hot Pools was a splurge for us at about $109 (USD) for both of us (booked in early 2024). Prices can fluctuate depending on exchange rates. Read more about how much we spent on our New Zealand trip.
Where to stay in Queenstown
For our two nights in beautiful Queenstown, we stayed at the luxurious Hotel St. Moritz on the hill overlooking Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range. The rooms and suites at Hotel St. Moritz are spacious and beautifully decorated. We also loved the location.
The Spire Hotel is highly rated for its staff and comfort. It’s located in the heart of Queenstown just steps from the shores of Lake Wakatipu. It’s just a 10-minute walk from Skyline Gondola and about a 15-minute drive from the Queenstown Airport.
The Waterfront offers apartment-style accommodations on Beach Street along the lake. You can get studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom apartments with mountain or lake views.
Hulbert House offers luxury boutique accommodations in a restored Victorian villa in the heart of Queenstown.
The bottom line
In my opinion, visiting the Onsen Hot Pools in Queenstown is a must-do experience for relaxation seekers. You’ll be treated to stunning views of the Shotover River Canyon while soaking in cedar-lined tubs filled with pure mountain water.
It’s a great way to take a break from a busy New Zealand itinerary and unwind after a day of Queenstown action.
Remember to book your session well in advance, as these pools are incredibly popular.
More New Zealand articles
- Our Skyline Queenstown experience (including dinner)
- Every place we stayed in New Zealand (and would we stay there again?)
- How much we spent on our New Zealand trip
- Tips for your New Zealand road trip
- Things I wish I had known before I went to New Zealand
- Yummy meals in New Zealand
- Is Hobbiton worth the money?
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