Onsen Hot Pools and Day Spa — Attraction in South Island

We traveled to the South Island of New Zealand by car from the end of June to the beginning of July, which belongs to winter season, so how can we miss the experience of soaking in hot springs! Although the online reviews of Onsen Hot Pools are very mixed, when we made an appointment on the official website nearly three months before departure, we found that many time slots in July had already been booked. Seeing that it was so popular, we decided to give it a try. Successfully booked a traditional private indoor hot spring at dusk. Our reserved time slot was from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. We arrived 15 minutes early as required. The staff were very friendly. We choose our drinks first, the staff said they would send them to the hot springs with snacks later. At 4:55, the staff led us to the private hot spring, and also served drinks and snacks, indicating that there would be a reminder 10 minutes before the end of the time slot. We changed our swimsuits, there were shower facilities in the private hot springs, and after a quick shower, we immediately enjoyed the hot springs. Spring water dynamics, lights, door switches, etc., can be automatically adjusted by action buttons right next to the hot spring. While enjoying the hot springs to relax our body and mind, we enjoyed the sunset and the beautiful mountains. One hour passed without knowing it, the fatigue of rushing for the trip for several days was relieved, and we all left with satisfied smiles. Overall, we recommend everyone to try it out. The key points of the reservation are as follows: It is convenient and easy to make an appointment on the official website, and it can also be cancelled free of charge at the specified time There are two types of hot springs: outdoor and indoor. It is also available for 4 people to book together. The more number of people to share, the cheaper for each Each session is an hour Be sure to make an appointment at least 2-3 months in advance as if super popular The hot spring is currently undergoing expansion work, so arrive early to be on time You need to report to the front desk 15 minutes before your scheduled time slot It doesn't matter if you are not self-driving, because they provide hourly pick-up and drop off service, a small from the centre...

In the cradle of the Southern Alps, where snow whispers secrets to the sky And the Shotover River coils below like a silver dragon at rest, There lies a sanctuary carved from serenity itself - The Onsen Hot Pools - a portal to peace, wrapped in wood and wonder.

There, we dissolved into steaming waters as if poured from a teacup of dreams, Limbs weightless, heart hushed, the world muted beneath a velvet curtain of clouds. The mountain air - crisp as a freshly ironed tuxedo - Seduced the steam in pirouettes that danced around my face like shy ghosts.

It was bliss. True, unfiltered, "write-a-novel-about-your-feelings" kind of bliss. Every pore sang a lullaby, every muscle exhaled sonnets of relief. Time itself took a break, curled up in a robe, and said, “Don’t mind me. Carry on.”

And yet… amid this aquatic euphoria, two small footnotes fluttered into view. First - the snacks. Or, should I say, snack. Singular. Small yet delightful options that lacked the substance of a delightful cheese spread. A crisp crunch where I yearned for a decadent brie to melt into the moment. More wine too, perhaps - something that whispers "luxury" Rather than cheerily shouts "convenience store."

But then… came the birds. Dear reader, picture if you will: Small, brown, deceptively cherubic creatures - sparrows, we thought - Until they moved.

Not birds. No. Velociraptors in feathered disguise. Hunting not in ones or twos, but with the coordinated precision of a heist crew. One distracted us with unassuming fluffiness, While another flanked us with military efficiency. The third? It made off with the snack — the entire salty treasure - In a scene so swift and bold it could’ve been scored by John Williams.

I half-expected Jeff Goldblum to rise from the steam and murmur, “Life, uh... finds a way.”

And still - despite the feathery felonies and culinary yearnings - This place stole my breath in all the right ways. A baptism in mountain light, a meditation in mineral mist. The Onsen Pools are a love letter to the body and balm for the soul.

I just wished we could have brought our own bottle of champagne, our own cheese board… and...

During a short family trip to Queenstown, I visited Onsen Hot Pools. I'm a busy and tired mom so this felt like a nice treat for myself.

The staff and masseuse were friendly, and the check-in process was straightforward. The hot pool and views were spectacular, and the provided refreshments were a nice touch. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the hot pool. Afterwards I moved on to the Hot Stone Massage. Although I asked for a medium-pressure massage, it felt a bit firm, but the masseuse offered to reduce the pressure if needed. I decided to keep it as I thought the benefits would be worth it, but in hindsight, I would have preferred the massage before the soak. I'm not sure if this is an option they offer.

The changing rooms could get crowded and feel a bit small and smelly due to the high number of visitors. I'm not sure if this is the norm as it was Ski Season and pretty late in the day. After I got changed, there was a pot of tea and light snack waiting for me in the main lounge area, this was really nice. Sadly, it was quite busy, and shortly after sitting some customers were loudly complaining about the service, which took away from the relaxation experience resulting in me rushing my tea and leaving more quickly than I wanted to. Having a more peaceful area separated from those waiting for their service to start would be a nice addition.

Transportation was not available when I booked, so I used an Uber, which was a bit scary, especially since it gets pitch black by 6 pm in Winter with few street lights on the way back to the main area of town. The Uber driver was also strange and a bit creepy, I definitely felt unsafe which wasn't Onsen's fault, but it's something to consider when planning your visit. I would advise using the transportation feature if available for safety reasons.

Overall, it was a good experience and worth trying for out-of-town visitors. If I were to return, I would definitely book much earlier to ensure a smoother and more...