Rendezvous Heritage Hotel Queenstown — Hotel in South Island

Heritage Hotel Queenstown Review||We recently stayed at the Heritage Hotel in Queenstown, and while there were some positives, the overall experience didn’t live up to the expectations we had for a hotel that rates itself as 4-star.||First Impressions: |The hotel’s exterior is charming, and the views of the surrounding mountains are spectacular, offering a peaceful and scenic setting.||Check-In Experience: |The check-in process wasn’t as smooth as expected. The staff were friendly but seemed undertrained and unsure of basic procedures. When we asked about room service availability after 10pm, we received conflicting answers from different staff members, with no clear information on whether food and beverages could be ordered. This lack of clarity was frustrating, especially for a hotel that claims to offer full-service amenities. Later, we were told the hotel was in the midst of a management transition, which may explain some of the confusion, but it didn't justify the lack of communication and training.||The Room: |The room itself was comfortable, but far from spacious. The decor and furnishings felt quite dated, and the overall aesthetic was not up to the standards we would expect from a 4-star hotel. On the positive side, the peaceful forest view was a lovely touch. However, cleanliness was an issue—there was rubbish on the floor from previous guests, and dust was noticeable in various areas. The bathroom was lacking in basic essentials; there was no toilet brush, the exhaust fan didn’t work, and the water pressure in the shower was minimal. The balcony door was also difficult to open and close, adding to the feeling that the room could use some maintenance and updates.||Dining Experience: |The dining experience at the hotel was particularly disappointing. The food, while decent, was overpriced for what it was, and the service was rushed. Staff cleared tables while we were still eating, creating a cafeteria-like atmosphere rather than the relaxed, resort-style dining experience we had anticipated. Hygiene was another concern, with staff wiping down tables with the same cloth and no cleaning products, leaving crumbs and bits of food, such as bacon and bread, on the floor. ||We were also surprised by the hotel’s tea selection, which was fairly ordinary and didn’t reflect the level of service we expected from a 4-star hotel. Another unusual aspect was the additional charges for ashtrays, which were taken as a deposit because the hotel had reportedly lost a number of ashtrays. This felt out of place for a property of this supposed calibre.||Overall Impressions: |The Heritage Hotel has great potential due to its beautiful location and peaceful forest views, but it falls short in key areas. Despite its 4-star rating, the dated rooms, lack of cleanliness, and unpolished service make it feel more like a 3-star property. The confusion around room service, especially after 10pm, and the overall high prices for what’s offered left us feeling disappointed. We also found the additional charge for ashtrays and the lack of attention to detail in dining and hygiene concerning.||While the hotel is undergoing a management transition, there are clear gaps in staff training, communication, and maintenance that need to be addressed. We hope that with some improvements in these areas, the Heritage Hotel can live up to its potential and offer a more refined and enjoyable experience...

A Disappointing and Stressful Experience – Strongly Advise Caution

I strongly advise against booking this hotel.

I made and fully paid for a six-night reservation several months in advance for myself and my young family, including two very young children. Despite this, when we arrived at approximately 5:15 PM on the scheduled check-in day, we were abruptly informed at reception that our booking had been cancelled. No prior notice was provided, and no explanation was initially offered.

Curiously, I had received a confirmation email just a day prior, welcoming us and reminding us of our upcoming check-in—further reinforcing that everything was in order. Understandably, I was both shocked and distressed. I had paid in full, well in advance, and had a valid reservation.

The manager, while polite, offered no meaningful apology or resolution. Instead, he advised—almost cheerfully—that they “wouldn’t charge a cancellation fee.” This was bewildering, given that they had cancelled on us. He further advised that the hotel was fully booked and offered a refund as the only alternative—leaving us, effectively, stranded in Queenstown during Easter, a peak travel period, with two young children and nowhere to go.

After about 2.5 hours of stress and no real options, the manager suddenly advised that he could offer us a room for the night—but at a significantly inflated rate, roughly three times the original nightly rate. Under pressure and with no feasible alternatives, I had no choice but to accept. He then went further and suggested we needed two rooms due to our children, despite previously stating the hotel was fully booked. It all felt opportunistic and deeply unethical.

For that one night, I paid a significantly higher price than what I had originally paid for a proper six-night stay. The room provided was of lesser quality, with myself sleeping on a pull-out couch. The next morning, I checked out and secured alternate accommodation, but given the busy period, it came at an enormous cost—approximately $5,000 for the remaining five nights.

In summary, this was an incredibly stressful and disappointing experience. What happened to me may not happen to you—but it absolutely could. This hotel cancelled my fully paid reservation without warning, left me and my young children without accommodation, and only offered “solutions” that came at an exorbitant cost.

I consider this conduct entirely inappropriate, unethical, and unacceptable. Book here at...

I strongly advise against booking this hotel.||I made and fully paid for a six-night reservation several months in advance for myself and my young family, including two very young children. Despite this, when we arrived at approximately 5:15 PM on the scheduled check-in day, we were abruptly informed at reception that our booking had been cancelled. No prior notice was provided, and no explanation was initially offered.||Curiously, I had received a confirmation email just a day prior, welcoming us and reminding us of our upcoming check-in—further reinforcing that everything was in order. Understandably, I was both shocked and distressed. I had paid in full, well in advance, and had a valid reservation.||The manager, while polite, offered no meaningful apology or resolution. Instead, he advised—almost cheerfully—that they “wouldn’t charge a cancellation fee.” This was bewildering, given that they had cancelled on us. He further advised that the hotel was fully booked and offered a refund as the only alternative—leaving us, effectively, stranded in Queenstown during Easter, a peak travel period, with two young children and nowhere to go.||After about 2.5 hours of stress and no real options, the manager suddenly advised that he could offer us a room for the night—but at a significantly inflated rate, roughly three times the original nightly rate. Under pressure and with no feasible alternatives, I had no choice but to accept. He then went further and suggested we needed two rooms due to our children, despite previously stating the hotel was fully booked. It all felt opportunistic and deeply unethical.||For that one night, I paid a significantly higher price than what I had originally paid for a proper six-night stay. The room provided was of lesser quality, with myself sleeping on a pull-out couch. The next morning, I checked out and secured alternate accommodation, but given the busy period, it came at an enormous cost—approximately $5,000 for the remaining five nights.||In summary, this was an incredibly stressful and disappointing experience. What happened to me may not happen to you—but it absolutely could. This hotel cancelled my fully paid reservation without warning, left me and my young children without accommodation, and only offered “solutions” that came at an exorbitant cost.||I consider this conduct entirely inappropriate, unethical, and unacceptable. Book here at...