A Winter Stay at The Spire Hotel – Queenstown’s Hidden Gem

In the midst of the inescapable Euro-summer content, we were after the best rebuttal New Zealand could offer this time of year – Queenstown.

Nestled between the Remarkables mountain range and the glassy expanse of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown offers what the Swiss Alps simply can’t in July!

And in saying that, you don’t need to be a seasoned skier to relish in Queenstown’s natural beauty. It’s a region rich with wineries, world-class gastronomy, luxury accomodation and of course, high-adrenaline adventure.

To situate ourselves in the centre of it all, but blissfully removed from the bustle of the small town, we chose to explore The Spire Hotel. Nestled down Church Lane, it homes just ten luxe suites, offering a space that’s intimate without being precious.

From the moment you step into the stylish lobby, it’s clear this isn’t your standard alpine stay. Rather, the interiors are polished and contemporary, dotted with thoughtfully chosen New Zealand art and clever design details. The suites are spacious and sophisticated, each one complete with a fireplace, a generous balcony and a super king bed that practically guarantees a sleep-in.

Beyond the rooms, the service was quite frankly, exceptional. Warm and genuine, the team nails that rare balance of attentiveness and privacy. Whether it was making sure we had bottles of water ahead of our day trips on the road or a tip on where to grab lunch nearby when travelling over to Arrowtown.

And while the central location made exploring and shopping all the more easy, we weren’t too quick to rush off when it came to dinner, as one of the most exciting dining experiences was just downstairs.

Tamarind by No. 5 Church Lane, the hotel’s in-house restaurant and bar, is a hidden gem that more than holds its own in the region’s crowded dining scene.

Leading the charge in the kitchen is Head of Culinary & Innovation, Sylvester Nair, whose role spans everything from menu engineering to creative concepting to restaurant design. He weaves his South African upbringing and Indian heritage into every dish, crafting plates that are both innovative and deeply personal. Tamarind’s Peri Peri Chicken, for example, is inspired by the fast-food chain Nando’s that Nair enjoyed while growing up in South Africa. The restaurant’s take on the dish, however, makes the original entirely forgettable. Working alongside him, Chef de Cuisine Ankita Chakravarty ensures that this vision is carried through every element of the dining experience. From sourcing ingredients and collaborating on menus to plating dishes with finesse, her influence is felt at every stage. Chakravarty’s flair for layering flavours is best captured in her Burnt Chai Cheesecake — a dessert that speaks to her roots while showcasing both her passion and attention to detail. Together, Nair and Chakravarty set the tone for Tamarind by No5, where everything is carefully selected, prioritising flavour and well-made food, with a curated atmosphere that continues to pull you back for more.

After engulfing what felt like the entire menu, we can confirm our favourites were the Goan Fish Koi (fish steamed in banana leaf with Recheado masala, served with coconut & lentil rice), the Ghee Cauliflower (spiced with ras el hanout and confit in ghee, with fried chickpea, braised cauliflower leaves, Vadouvan makhani & potato sev) and the Black Garlic Paratha (layered flatbread, brushed with ghee and black garlic), or as Sylvester liked to call it, ‘Roti that went to private school’.

And just when you feel like you can’t squeeze any more, I promise the dessert menu will make you feel otherwise. The top choice simply can’t be picked between Ankita's Burnt Chai Cheesecake, which has a light, airy texture with the goodness of spices, infused with chai, and or her Maple Bacon Ice Cream and Waffles, which uses no-churn handmade ice cream with bacon, caramel and maple served over ghee-smoked waffles with crispy bacon bits.

Between daily à la carte breakfasts, pre-dinner drinks, and a dining credit to enjoy during your stay, there’s a real sense of generosity to the experience at The Spire. Add to that the plush rooms, welcoming staff, and one of the best hotel dining rooms in town, and you’ve got yourself the kind of getaway that’s both grounding and indulgent.

Click here to find The Spire’s website.