Hilton Queenstown Resort and Spa review

We have been contemplating on going on a trip for a long time. Firstly because ever since my hubby had an anxiety attack a few years back in Hong Kong, he does not so well with flying (even domestic). We visited Queenstown about 2 years ago and he did not do so well, not just on the plane, but the entire trip he was sick like a dog. Secondly, we’re afraid of travelling with 2 monkeys.

However, in April, we decided to try flying again and this time without the kids. It would be just the two of us and this will be a super laid back trip that we would relax and there would be no itinerary at all. So we asked my parents to look after the two boys and his mum to look after our dog at home, and we booked flights and accommodation for 3 nights in Queenstown.

We decided to go to Hilton because we loved the photos of the place and also word of mouth. The hotel is beautiful but there are cons about this place as well. I will guide you through our experience and give a summary at the end.

The entry to the Hotel complex is down a windy and steep driveway passing something that looks like apartment accommodations. Then on your left, you will be able to turn into the drop-off area leading into the entrance of the reception area. There are no parking spaces near the drop-off area, only 2 reserved parking and one mobility parking. So this is one of thing that I think is a real disadvantage of the hotel – Parking. You can either park for free around the hotel area which is probably less than 20 parking spaces (all parallel parking), or you have to pay for parking within the underground parking at the Double Park complex (2 storeys and not the easiest to manoeuvre).

You have to get a multi-entry parking ticket at the Double Tree reception before going into the parking building and the multi-entry ticket is $16 and allows for unlimited entries for a 24hr period. We managed to find free parking for one night, but the other 2 nights we had to pay for parking. The other option is valet parking for $40 a night (no thanks).

Inside the reception area, there is a sitting area with a large fireplace for you to hang out and relax. There is a bar next to this area and it looks out to the lake and the patio downstairs. There is a small internet/computer area available for use as well, but since this area is so dark and gloomy, I didn’t really use this area a lot.

Moving on, the reception area is pretty much the central heart of the hotel complex, there are rooms on either side. After checking in at around 3pm, we were lead by one of the staff to our room which is one of the furthest one down the right corridor because our room is one of the end units which means we have a little bit more uninterrupted views of the lake. A quick housekeeping notes and the staff kindy left the room for us to relax.

We quickly took our jackets off, shoes off and put on slippers then had a look around our room and our view. We booked into a King Deluxe room which featured a King bed, lake and mountain views from our balcony. We were at the very end of the corridor which faces out onto the lake and there were no rooms in front of us, even our bed area had views.

Two steps up from the sitting area to our bed area, there are no doors between so I wouldn’t call this a room. The bathroom is behind the wall from the bed and there are no windows in there. There are two individually controlled lights above the bed and 2 reading lights as well. The curtains are also those block-out types which the room can be pretty dark even in the daytime.

Our bed is made nice and tidy, very comfortable bed that is not too soft and not too stiff. Pillows were plenty and the duvet was warm. The room does have air conditioning which we have on pretty much the entire time we are in the room because it’s winter and it’s always less than 7degrees outside.

A nice fireplace under the TV which is a nice feature at night. They have Sky and all the Freeview channels to watch. You can also watch the TV when sitting at the bed if you want to. There are power sockets next to the bedside table as well as behind the floor lamp that is in the corner of the room. Plenty of options on where to charge your phone, etc.

I love the mirror on the wardrobe door which is full-height so I can check myself before we leave the room. You can hang coats and jackets in the wardrobe which also has ironing facilities and a little mending kit. I think there was a safe in there that you can use to store valuables as well. You can also find dressing gowns inside as well as a hair drier.

There is a small kettle with coffee/tea cups available, tea, coffee, decaf coffee, sugar and sweeteners available. The range of teas there were to choose from was Jasmine, Earl Grey, Lemon and Ginger and also Peppermint. There was also a carton of long-life milk. The fridge is empty for you to put in whatever you need to. Not many utensils available for use – only one spoon.

A shower, a bathtub and 2 vanities which is awesome. Toiletries are from L’Occitane which I was a little disappointed because I thought they would be Peter Thomas Roth which is what I have seen with other reviews on this hotel. Anyway, L’Occitane is not too bad either. There was a shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body lotion.

There was plenty of vanity shelf space and table space to put your skincare products, cosmetics, etc. There is also a phone by the WC which you can call in an emergency? Not really sure what it’s for. Hand towels, face towels, body towels provided fro two-person and a floor towel as well.

 

That’s about it for the room, it’s not massive but it is really comfortable and you are pretty much paying for the amazing views because I can see the sunrise and also when the incoming planes flying across the lake to the airport. The location of the hotel has it’s good and bad points: good because it’s a bit away from the busy town centre and it’s a little secluded and quiet. Bad is that it is a little bit out of the way from the town centre and things are not within walking distance.

Parking deducted a lot of points for me and I would probably mention this to anyone who asked me how my stay was in this hotel because it is a big factor in my opinion. Most of my previous travels were usually city-central hotels or motels of Airbnb which have great parking facilities, so this one is a thumbs down for me.

All the staff from reception to restaurant to anyone I met in the hotel complex were really polite and neat and professional, I have nothing but praise for making me feel welcomed and comfortable staying in Hilton.