Onsen hot pools Queenstown review: The best spa you don’t want to miss
If there’s one thing you’re going to do whilst in New Zealand, make sure you make a pitstop at the Onsen hot pools Queenstown. Frankly, it is a breath of fresh air literally to sit in the hot bubbling tub whilst you admire the views of the huge mountains and valley below with the winding blue streams.
We certainly loved it when we visited!
The spa itself is a really nice break away from reality into a little bit of luxury and you definitely feel pampered.
Have a look at all of the Hot Pools you need to visit on South Island.
Not sure where to go? Have a look at my article on North VS South Island New Zealand
Have a look at some of my other Aotearoa / New Zealand travel guides for things to do in North Island and South Island!
South Island Itinerary New Zealand
Camping Lake Tekapo & Central Otago
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Best activities & tours on South Island
Here are some of the best New Zealand South Island tours! I always compare tours on Viator and Get Your Guide to check prices and different tour availability.
| Jet Boat & Wilderness experience – If you’re after an adrenaline experience then this is for you! Milford Sound Cruises – The best way to see the unofficial 8th wonder of the world. Franz Josef Glacier tours – one of the most iconic, stunning, incredible things to experience in South Island! Glenorchy & Paradise half day tour – if you’re after some beautiful sight seeing this is for you! Glow worm caves – Dont miss the iconic glow worm caves in South Island! Scenic Flights – One of the most iconic experiences in all of South Island, New Zealand. |
Onsen hot pools Queenstown
This epic serene spa experience at the Onsen Hot Pools in Queenstown, the ideal retreat for anyone seeking to unwind from the daily grind or who is visiting on holiday. The Onsen hot pools are not actually in Queenstown.
They are just outside in Arrowhead (doublecheck) which is only a 15 minute drive from town centre and it is definitely worth the visit. They have a designated parking space where you can park up and head down into the spa.
Staff are very attentive and well-trained, and they will immediately book you in and tell you what your time slot is.
Queenstown Onsen hot pools shuttle bus
Opt to drive or take a taxi to the spa, or the free shuttle bus service for a hassle-free journey to this relaxing spa spot. Upon arrival, immerse yourself in the warmth of the private cedar hot pools, all while taking in the stunning vistas of the Shotover River. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy some peaceful moments with your loved ones, making it an excellent choice for those in need of a relaxing getaway.
The shuttle bus service to and from central Queenstown. You MUST book the shuttle bus in advance.
- The location is just a 10-minute drive from Queenstown.
- The shuttle collects guests 30 minutes before their scheduled booking.
- The shuttle is for up to 9 passengers.
- Please note, for groups larger than 9, complimentary transport is not available.
- Shuttle pick-up and drop-off point is outside Marmolada Café at 43 Camp Street in the heart of Queenstown.
- Departures from the Onsen Retreat & Day Spa are scheduled for quarter past the hour.
- To ensure timely arrival for your pool session, the shuttle departs from the Station Building promptly on the half-hour. Don’t be late!
The Shuttle Bus pick-up / drop-off location is:
Bus Stop D, corner of Camp St and Shotover St.
Please wait at the brown benches outside Cafe Marmolada (43 Camp Street).
Onsen hot springs address
160 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown, New Zealand
The different types of Onsen Hot tubs available
- Serenity soak onsen and spa: 1-2 people, 2-3 hours
- Ultimate relaxation experience: twin experience/couples, 2-3 hours
- The outdoor onsen (the most popular): 1-4 people, 1 hour
We opted for the Outdoor Onsen.
Have a look at some of my other Aotearoa / New Zealand travel guides for things to do in North Island and South Island!
South Island Itinerary New Zealand in 10 days
What is an onsen?
An onsen refers to a hot spring in Japanese culture, where traditionally, these communal baths are warmed by geothermal waters. These original onsen baths, often separated by male and female sections, are usually in scenic gardens or mountains, with a picturesque backdrop of snow in the winter months.
Outdoor Onsen spa
This option is for 1-4 people and is the most popular experience booked.
Queenstown Onsen hot pool snacks
At reception, you will be asked what type of complimentary drink and snack you would like in the tub. You can have teas, coffees & juice have a look at their website for the full list, and I can highly recommend the ice cream in the hot tub.
The hot tub has become very hot over time and having a refreshing ice cream is extremely unique and well worth it. Even at 10 am in the morning.
I had the boysenberry flavoured ice cream, which was delicious, and frankly I’ve never heard of the flavour before, but it is a cross between a raspberry blackberry, a loganberry and a dewberry. Mike opted for chocolate, and, frankly they’re both delicious.
Make sure that you arrive at least 15 minutes early as the spa has a strict schedule to adhere to, and you don’t want to eat into your allotted time.
There is a lovely waiting area with comfortable sofas and there are very large windows where you can sit on a stool facing the view and look out at the view whilst you wait.
When it is time, a member of staff will come and collect you and take you down to the spa and there are around 15 to 20 individual rooms that have spa tubs so you will have your own privacy.
Have a look at some of my other Aotearoa / New Zealand travel guides for things to do in North Island and South Island!
Tongariro Alpine Crossing Hike
Inside the Onsen hot springs
You’ll have the room to yourself for an hour and the staff will explain all of the buttons and features to you, and they will explain the procedures. A member of staff will come in at the very beginning to give you your drinks and snacks and then you’ll be left for the full hour to sit back relax and enjoy the tub.
There are a number of different buttons on the left hand side of the towel and one of them is the cold water button for if it gets too hot.
Just bear in mind that if you press it, the cold water comes from the ceiling, and it can fall onto whoever is sitting in that spot, so you can either avoid it or orchestrate it. I decided to orchestrate it and insured that it actually landed on Mike, which was quite funny.
The room comes complete with very small seated area we can get change a shower and of course the hot tub with incredible views.
Privacy & your private room
The staff will explain to you 10 minutes before the end a recording will go off explaining you have 10 minutes left and you have to press the acknowledge button to let them know that you have heard.
This then gives you time to shower change and get out of the tub. If you don’t manage to shower within that allotted time then you can use some of the showers in the changing room, but you will have to leave your private room at the allotted time.
The door has frosted glass so people will not be able to see in. However, there is a strict no nudity policy and staff will always knock before coming in. However staff will not come in after they have introduced you and delivered your snacks, they only tend to come in at the very end after the final alarm has gone off.
They also have a spa on site where you can book in for a number of different treatments, including massage and facials. Be sure to have a look at their website to see the full list and what’s best for you.
Now it’s time for you to sit back relax and enjoy the view. It’s well worth a visit to the Onsen hot pools in Queenstown.
Onsen Hot pools Queenstown at night
Onsen by lantern light
All evening bookings after sunset will have the added jazz of the lit by lantern light! Additional evening lanterns will be added for an enchating, memorable experience. The lanterns are branded as Japanese sky of stars lanterns from sunset.
Onsen hot pool massages
There are a tonne of options for rest and relaxation and you’re going to want to consider the onsen serenity soak ultimate relaxation package or the pools massage therapy. You’re going to have the smoothest, softest skin, particularly if you opt for exfoliation, with nut infused oils and a soak in the original onsen outdoors Queenstown spa.
onsen hot pools queenstown prices
The price for the onsen hot pools are as follows.
You can have up to 4 bathers in a hot tub.
| Bathers | Pricing |
|---|---|
| 1 Bather | $117.50 |
| 2 Bather | $175.00 |
| 3 Bather | $225.00 |
| 4 Bather | $260.00 |
| Children 9am – 4:30pm | $30.00 |
Prices are in NZD.
Prices for treatments + Onsen
The treatments are decadent; with plenty of options for you to treat yourself, whether that’s full body massages with cold pressed nut oils or tropical flower infused deep tissue massages and products with a unique blend of powerful plant actives.
| 45 minutes soak & 60 minute treatment available | Per Person |
|---|---|
| Onsen Revival | $275 |
| Pure Fiji Bespoke Massage | $280 |
| Pure Fiji Paradise Hot Stone Massage | $290 |
| Pure Fiji Hydra -Lift Facial | $290 |
| Pure Fiji Papaya Enzyme Exfoliating Facial | $290 |
| Pure Fiji Glow on the Go | $295 |
| Pure Fiji Massage and Express Hydrating Facial | $295 |
| 45 minutes soak & 2 Hour Treatments | Per Person |
| Pure Fiji ‘Head to Toe’ Experience | $400 |
| Pure Fiji Ultimate Paradise Experience | $410 |
Prices are in NZD.
Have a look at some of my other Aotearoa / New Zealand travel guides for things to do in North and South Island!
South Island Weather
Here is the average weather on the South Island by each month. The South Island of New Zealand experiences a diverse climate, with the west coast receiving high rainfall and the east coast being drier and cooler.
Seasonal temperatures vary widely, from warm, sunny summers to cold, snowy winters, especially in the mountainous regions.
South Island Weather in January
Average temperature: 15°C (59°F)
Average rainy days: 8
Average daylight hours: 15
Average sunrise time: 6:15 AM
Average sunset time: 9:30 PM
South Island Weather in February
Average temperature: 14°C (57°F)
Average rainy days: 7
Average daylight hours: 14
Average sunrise time: 6:45 AM
Average sunset time: 9:00 PM
South Island Weather in March
Average temperature: 12°C (54°F)
Average rainy days: 8
Average daylight hours: 12
Average sunrise time: 7:15 AM
Average sunset time: 8:15 PM
South Island Weather in April
Average temperature: 9°C (48°F)
Average rainy days: 9
Average daylight hours: 11
Average sunrise time: 7:45 AM
Average sunset time: 6:45 PM
South Island Weather in May
Average temperature: 6°C (43°F)
Average rainy days: 10
Average daylight hours: 9
Average sunrise time: 8:15 AM
Average sunset time: 5:30 PM
South Island Weather in June
Average temperature: 4°C (39°F)
Average rainy days: 11
Average daylight hours: 9
Average sunrise time: 8:30 AM
Average sunset time: 5:15 PM
South Island Weather in July
Average temperature: 3°C (37°F)
Average rainy days: 11
Average daylight hours: 9
Average sunrise time: 8:30 AM
Average sunset time: 5:30 PM
South Island Weather in August
Average temperature: 5°C (41°F)
Average rainy days: 11
Average daylight hours: 10
Average sunrise time: 7:45 AM
Average sunset time: 6:00 PM
South Island Weather in September
Average temperature: 7°C (45°F)
Average rainy days: 10
Average daylight hours: 12
Average sunrise time: 6:45 AM
Average sunset time: 6:30 PM
South Island Weather in October
Average temperature: 9°C (48°F)
Average rainy days: 9
Average daylight hours: 13
Average sunrise time: 7:15 AM
Average sunset time: 7:45 PM
South Island Weather in November
Average temperature: 11°C (52°F)
Average rainy days: 8
Average daylight hours: 14
Average sunrise time: 6:00 AM
Average sunset time: 8:30 PM
South Island Weather in December
Average temperature: 13°C (55°F)
Average rainy days: 9
Average daylight hours: 15
Average sunrise time: 5:45 AM
Average sunset time: 9:15 PM
Quick links
| Here’s everything I use when I travel abroad: Tours – Compare tour prices on Viator and Get Your Guide Hotels – I always use Booking as the more hotels I book, I get a higher Genius discount. I also compare prices on Expedia. E-Sims – purchase an e-sim with Airalo on your phone so you can make calls and have mobile data abroad! There’s no need to remove your current sim card! Travel insurance – don’t ever go on vacation without travel insurance, you never know when you might need it! Travel essentials – have a look at a full list of travel essentials that I use, including the best power bank! |
Have a look at some of my other Aotearoa / New Zealand travel guides for things to do in North Island and South Island!
Other articles on South Island:
- Glamping on South Island
- Things to do in Akaroa
- Akaroa Dolphin Watching Review
- Wanaka lavender farm
- Onsen hot pools
- Things to do in Tekapo
- Tekapo Hot Springs
- Stargazing in Tekapo
- Lake Tekapo Lupins
- New Zealand Flower fields
- Lake Pukaki viewing point
- Lake Tekapo from Queenstown Road Trip
- Lake Tekapo to Mt Cook
- Glenorchy Wharf
- Omarama Clay Cliffs
- Queenstown to Milford Sound
- Accommodation at Milford Sound
- Hot Pools to visit on South Island
- New Zealand Golden Bay
- Best supermarkets in Queenstown
- Camping Lake Tekapo & Central Otago
- Lord of the Rings filming locations
- Best travel adapter for New Zealand
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