Coronet Ridge Resort, Capturing New Zealand
We consider ourselves very well-travelled women and have simply never seen anything like this vista.
Start or finish your snow travel to New Zealand’s south island with a night or two in this gorgeous newly renovated resort. It is an absolute pleasure to experience and a must-do next time you depart from or arrive in Queenstown. After a week skiing Cardrona and Treble Cone, the steam room, sauna, the hot tub overlooking the Shotover River and comfy rooms were the refresh we sorely needed – and totally recommend!
The Panorama Alone is Worth The Stay
Reopened in November 2025, this resort will quietly blow you away. Everything has been thought of. If you arrive in the afternoon, head straight for the Ridge hour 5pm to 6pm for a carefully crafted complimentary cocktail and canape from the drinks cart cruising the restaurant, for this very purpose.
Try not to arrive after dark because the piece d’resistance is the scenery. Walking into Elevation Bar and Restaurant, you look straight out through floor-to-ceiling glass windows across the Shotover River valley. Think misty Kanuka and Beech forests and snow-capped mountains as far as the eye can see. The view feels a little Scottish but is very New Zealand, in its own right. And it’s less than 10 minutes up the hill to Coronet Peak snow resort. What’s more there’s a bus that leaves right across the road from the Coronet Ridge Resort.
Rooms are beautifully understated yet tastefully decorated with every thoughtful touch, from pillow menu to sleep mist, from touch button bathroom mirror to your very own verandah with easy but stylish chairs to sip tea and enjoy the view from.
Everything from the armchair and cushion selection to artwork and generous book selections available throughout the resort would have been a super fun interior design job. This is a great destination to sit around and do absolutely nothing, if you’re not there to ski. You can just laze around the fireplaces or drink tea in the lounge nooks. If you’re travelling with someone in a wheelchair, there are two dedicated rooms with dedicated shower facilities and level room entry and there’s an accessible lift to go from restaurant level to your room, with plenty of space to access lounges- and the panorama of course…
Elevation Bar and Restaurant is a genuine destination in its own right. The menu leans heavily into seasonal Central Otago produce, combining local ingredients with refined techniques, while remaining approachable. Every bite was delicious. Smoked mussels in choux with crispy whitebait, New Zealand beef tartare or curried sago and Agria croquettes. Mt Cook salmon with mushroom and kūmara rosti, slow-cooked beef cheek with burnt cauliflower purée as a main course.
The wine list reflects a strong sense of place, highlighting acclaimed Central Otago Pinot Noirs from wineries such as Felton Road, Rippon, Mishas Vineyard and Burn Cottage and staff are knowledgeable and professional. Despite the food and wine, we could not tear our eyes away from the view for a moment for any meal.
Breakfast gazing out to snow-dusted mountains is also a highlight. Sipping a hot coffee, nibbling French toast with berries, scrumptious corn fritters and fresh orange juice you feel the mountain air really refresh your body and mind. It’s a place where any stress of snow travel really evaporates.
Don’t forget a visit to the Resort’s refurbed indoor pool area, it’s a real beauty as a European-inspired classical relaxation area with a slightly theatrical resort spa feel, there is plenty to look at. We both felt we could easily pass a few days moving from amenities and down at this pool level you can experience a facial or massage and really rejuvenate. It’s the perfect stay post-skiing (or trekking). Outside the private hot tub sessions overlooking the Shotover River are a unique touch and gets you that little bit closer to nature.
It’s easy to stay put in the resort, but if you must, the local village of Arthur’s Point is worth exploring. The General Store and Tavern are buzzing with visitors and Queenstown itself is a 10 minute drive away.
Buses and Ski Rental
Buses to Coronet Peak start from 7.30am and for The Remarkables, buses depart from 9:45am with most services departing from the Frankton Golf Course bus stop. For ski equipment hire, Snopro, comes to the hotel to fit everyone for their ski rentals. Simply select a date and you leave the equipment behind on your departure date, to be collected.
Rental vehicles and other transportation
Available from Queenstown Airport. We recommend a 4WD, and please note that carrying snow chains is mandatory in case conditions require them. Check out Info & Snow transport for other transport info. For getting into town you’re only a 7 minute drive away and the resort partners with RYD so they have a dedicated vehicle onsite to rent by the hour, or you can simply pre-book the vehicle to guarantee availability. When prebooking you can use the code ‘RYDWITHCORONET’ alternatively, they can book corporate cabs or private transport. If you do rent a vehicle, parking at the hotel is ample and complimentary.
NZ Ski buses NZ Ski operates a regular shuttle service to and from the ski fields. These must be booked in advance, and you’ll need to select a pick-up location.
Buses depart from central Queenstown (9 Duke Street) from 7:30am.
Check out the website here to book the Coronet Ridge Resort. +64 3 409 2492
stay@coronetridge.co.nz 146 Arthurs Point Rd, Arthurs Point, Queenstown 9371
