Nugget Point Queenstown Hotel

The Nugget Point Queenstown Hotel was one of the town’s pioneering boutique hotels in the 1980s. Geared towards couples looking for a romantic getaway -- or drawn by the incredible mountain and river views -- the hotel remains a quiet and relaxing place to stay. The entrance itself is impressive, with large decorative wrought-iron gates leading the way into the property. The look is refined and upscale throughout, with heavy antique style furniture, an abundance of cream and handsome neutral tones, and rustic elements like pitched and beamed ceilings plus stacked-stone accents. Interesting artwork is employed to give the spaces a modern edge, and we saw a nice selection of contemporary portraiture when we visited. During the ski season, the hotel has a cozy vibe created by roaring open fireplaces. Considering there are a small number of rooms, the property has an impressive array of amenities for guests, making it a popular choice, especially with couples.

The Nugget Point Queenstown Hotel is reached via a winding road that travels through Arthur’s Pass. There are a small number of homes and businesses on the same stretch of road, but otherwise the surrounding area is forested and there's not much to do within walking distance of the hotel. The location provides some of the most spectacular views in the Queenstown area, as the hotel is perched high on a valley wall looking down over a sweeping bend in the Shotover River. Guests can watch the famous Shotover Jet boat rides taking place, and the jetty to book a ride on the Jet is just a three-minute drive away. The Onsen Hot Pools are only a two-minute walk from the hotel. The shops, restaurants, bars, and nightlife of central Queenstown are a 10-minute drive from the hotel. The Coronet Peak Ski Area is a 10-minute drive from the hotel, where there are a number of winter sports available such as cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Queenstown Airport takes 15 minutes to reach by car. 

The 36 spacious guest rooms at the Nugget Point Queenstown Hotel all have private balconies or patios, with many offering separate bedrooms and living rooms. They have a garden or river views, and Two-Bedroom Suites are also available. Rooms are all light and bright, and employ a neutral color scheme in creams and browns. Furnishings vary from room to room, and while there are opulent pieces of antique furniture, the look in most units is fairly modern and bland. Take, for instance, the River View Room that we visited which had nothing in the way of decor on its pale yellow walls and was quite austere for a boutique hotel. Higher-category rooms have a bit more personality, but still look a bit minimally appointed. All rooms have coffeemakers, air-conditioning, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and a work desk. Bathrooms in the standard rooms have a shower only, while those in the Superior Rooms and Two-Bedroom Suites have a spa bath and a shower. The Presidential River View Suite also has a gas fireplace and an outdoor hot tub.

The hotel has an indulgent day spa, styled as a mosaic-tiled Roman bath. It provides amazing views of the mountain ranges and the Shotover River, and beauty and massage treatments are available as well as an indoor heated pool, plunge pools, sauna, and steam room. Those who want to be more active can take part in squash and tennis, or use the spacious fitness center, which has a good selection of modern equipment and mountain views as well. There’s even a cinema on-site with DVDs to choose from and free popcorn. 

Those visiting in the winter months can hire and store ski equipment on-site. The hotel's lounge bar and a fine dining restaurant, Birches, with -- you guessed it -- spectacular views. The restaurant offers elegant, modern cuisine and a wide range of New Zealand wines. Breakfast is served daily in the restaurant but is not included in the room rate. The hotel hosts weddings and can cater for up to 80 guests, and there’s a boardroom which seats up to 30. Car parking and Wi-Fi are free on-site.