What’s New in Queenstown’s Business Events Scene

We’ve curated this guide to new accommodation, venues, restaurants, and activities especially for business event organisers. If you’re planning a conference, incentive trip, or corporate event in Queenstown, here’s the latest on what’s new.

New Accommodation in Queenstown

These new accommodation options in Queenstown are well suited to business events. They span modern style to high-end luxury with options for small and large groups.

QT Queenstown

38-54 Lake Esplanade, Queenstown  

This stylish and centrally located lakeside hotel is a popular choice for conferences and business events, combining contemporary chic interiors with panoramic lake views. With 8 meeting rooms and event spaces on site, guests can stay and conference in the same hotel.

QT’s growing popularity means their parent company is updating their neighbouring sister hotel, Rydges Lakeside, to become part of the QT Queenstown family. 152 new QT rooms will be rolled out over the next year, many with balconies overlooking the lake. The new, larger QT hotel will have 222 rooms, making it a good choice for bigger business groups.

Roki Collection

2 Brunswick Street, Queenstown

This intimate, sophisticated hotel opened in September 2025. Ideal for an executive retreat or a VIP incentive group, Roki has fifteen suites, including the seven-bedroom Grand Suite. Expect privacy, attentive service, and stunning views out over the mountains and lake.

Roki Collection’s other draw is its exceptional dining, with three options for your guests. Essence is a fine dining offering a degustation menu and à la carte. The Terrace is a more relaxed lunch and evening destination with spectacular views, while the snug Library Bar serves up bespoke cocktails and cosy conversation nooks.

Guests can use the Roki Pure wellness sanctuary. Not only does this spa offer relaxing rituals and treatments at the hotel, but they’ll also fly your guests to a wilderness location, rewilding them with a one-of-a-kind Roki Pure ritual for a truly memorable reset.

Coronet Ridge Resort

146 Arthur’s Point Road, Arthur’s Point

Coronet Ridge Resort is a $30 million redevelopment of Nugget Point Hotel into a five-star boutique alpine retreat. Set in Arthur’s Point overlooking the dramatic Shotover River, the resort is located between Queenstown and Coronet Peak ski field, good for a winter business event when guests might want to take to the slopes.

There are 40 rooms, many with alpine or river views. A gym, squash courts, outdoor hot tubs, sauna, and steam room offer plenty of opportunities to unleash tension and unwind. Guests can also book massages and beauty treatments at the stunning day spa.

Modern event spaces can be set up for corporate retreats, meetings, or presentations. There’s even a private cinema for screenings. Elevation bar and restaurant is open for breakfast, brunch, and dinner. Your guests can dine on the terrace overlooking the river or observe the chefs and mixologists at work in the kitchen and bar.

Noctis by Kamana

139 Fernhill Road, Queenstown

Kamana Lakehouse is already a top pick for business event organisers wanting to wow their guests with breathtaking lake and mountain views. The hotel sits high above town, with sweeping views of the magnificent landscape from rooms, meeting areas, and restaurant alike.

In 2027, the Kamana team will be bringing a new luxury resort development to the exciting Queenstown hospitality scene. Noctis by Kamana will feature 10 luxury villas with 60 bedrooms, including residences, and a 10-bedroom penthouse with its own pool, pool deck, and reflective pond.

Noctis by Kamana is aiming for serenity and indulgent comfort throughout. Facilities will reflect this with an infinity pool with lake views, a day spa with wellness facilities, and a yoga studio. The restaurant will showcase local cuisine, while private chefs can also cater to your guests. 

New Venues in Queenstown

While most accommodation choices include meeting spaces, Queenstown is so spectacular that you may want to showcase the magnificent landscape in more breadth. These new venues in Queenstown offer options for meetings, private dining, and celebrations.

Billy’s at Ayrburn

1 Ayr Avenue, Arrowtown

Set on a stunningly landscaped former sheep farm near Arrowtown, Ayrburn is a wine and food destination with bars, restaurants, and tasting rooms set in refurbished farm buildings.

Billy’s is a new venue in the restored Ayrburn homestead. Think private dining in a sophisticated historic setting. A modern Chinese menu nods to Arrowtown’s rich Chinese heritage dating from the gold rush in 1866. Outside, a glass conservatory offers an immersive dining experience under the Central Otago sky.

Pavilion Bar and Kitchens

19 Grant Road, Frankton

This new bar and eatery is also ideal for business events. It’s a versatile space, with a choice of private and semi-private mezzanine spaces. It can accommodate up to 300 guests seated or 500 standing, making Pavilion ideal for large dinners, celebrations, and launches.

If your guests prefer to take advantage of the social atmosphere with fire pits and vibey lighting, two kitchens turn out a range of options, with a steak and oyster restaurant, pizzas, a frozen yoghurt stand with a tempting range of toppings, and a buzzy bar.

Dorothy Browns Cinema

18 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown

Host your business event in an Arrowtown icon. Dorothy Browns is a boutique cinema set above the main street in this picturesque village. Suited to strategy days, small conferences, presentations, and private screenings, Dorothy Browns can accommodate between 20-44 guests in two private cinemas, a foyer, and their balcony bar space.

Dorothy Browns is a great venue if you’re looking for a creative space with atmosphere. The cinema crew can even source a film or help you organise live music for your event. They partner with Aosta Restaurant downstairs to offer great Italian food and wine.

New Restaurants in Queenstown

When it comes to new restaurants in Queenstown, your guests are spoilt for choice. While each venue offers its own unique atmosphere, some are particularly well suited to group dining experiences. We’ve rounded up our pick of the latest venues for private dining and memorable group experiences.

Dishery

Dudley’s Cottage Precinct, 4 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown

This Arrowtown favourite has had a glow up with new owners, supported by an experienced hospitality group. The airy space is tucked down by the Arrow River. A highlight is their stunning garden bar with long tables and beanbags on the grass.

Ideal for a hearty brunch before getting stuck into some strategy or a long lunch stretching into drinks and nibbles, Dishery offers group dining. Talk to them about private events.

Swiftsure

Arrow Lane above Buckingham Green, Arrowtown

Waiheke's celebrated Man O' War winery team also have a vineyard in Bannockburn and they’ve just opened Swiftsure, an Arrowtown bistro with a seasonal menu celebrating South Island produce and alpine vintages.

Head Chef Yann Robert cut his teeth at Amisfield and Jervois Steak House, so Swiftsure is a treat for foodies. This relaxed space with serious food and wine is excellent for a team celebration or incentive dining for a discerning crowd.

Wharf Bar

Steamer Wharf Unit 3, Level 1/88 Beach Street, Queenstown

If you’re looking for a lakefront table in the heart of Queenstown, Wharf Bar can host medium-sized groups in a waterfront setting with uninterrupted views.

This lively venue is suitable for informal gatherings and welcome drinks. It’s as good for relaxed daytime dining as it is for a lively evening function. The menu is Japanese–Italian fusion, with pizzas and shareable plates. Think share-style food with flavour, ideal for groups.

Toast & Oak

Level 1 15 Shotover Street, Queenstown

This upstairs hideaway is inspired by European wine bars. The elegant space is ideal for small gatherings. Host a special dinner here for an intimate group.

Toast & Oak is a real delight for lovers of fine food and wine. Choose from a selection of sophisticated small plates or treat your guests to a tasting menu paired with New Zealand wines. Knowledgeable staff will guide your group through the exceptional wine list.

New Activities for Business Events in Queenstown

When you host a business event in Queenstown, you’re looking for adventure as well as inspiration. Here’s a line-up of new activities to help your team explore their boundaries, connect, and reflect.

AJ Hackett Kawarau Bungy Swing

State Highway 6, Gibbston Valley

Bond your team with thrills! This new swing experience at the Kawarau Bungy Centre sweeps your guests through the dramatic Kawarau Gorge from a platform 43 metres above the river. It’s the same height as the bungy, and just as exhilarating but (maybe) less fear.

The giant swing can take two or even three people at a time, making it an excellent shared activity for business events and incentive groups seeking a big thrill without going full bungy.

Milford Sound Business Class

This experience offers hotel pick-up for guests, making for a seamless and a luxurious day trip to Milford Sound.

Created in partnership between RealNZ and Altitude Tours, guests are collected in a premium Mercedes Sprinter featuring a glass roof, plush seating, pillows and wool blankets, and hosted by  a guide with a wealth of local stories. They’ll drive through spectacular scenery into Fiordland, where they’ll board the MV Sinbad for a boutique two-hour cruise.

This indulgent adventure starts with coffee and fresh pastries in Te Anau, before your group is welcomed aboard with a glass of New Zealand sparkling wine. As the boat cruises into the heart of Milford Sound, your guests will enjoy a five-course tasting menu curated by celebrated chef Tom Hishon. Perfect for a memorable experience for an incentive group.

Helicopter into Ben Nevis Station

35 Lucas Place, Frankton

Perfect for luxury incentive groups and executive retreats, this helicopter trip flies your group to a remote high-country station established in the 1860s. Ben Nevis Station is 20,000 acres of alpine splendour deep in the remote Nevis Valley, accessible only by air.

Once at the station, guests can enjoy experiences such as clay bird shooting or hot laps on a gravel track alongside champion rally driver Hayden Paddon, before settling in for gourmet food and hospitality. An outdoor spa and outdoor fireplace create the perfect setting to unwind, host welcome drinks or enjoy an evening function. Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters can tailor itineraries to suit your group’s size and interests, with additional options including horse trekking and fly fishing.

Art Adventures

26 Hansen Road, Frankton

The Art Adventures studio at Country Lane offers a creative range of guided art experiences and workshops. Your guests can choose from a studio tour where they’ll meet local artists or a full day painting tour to inspiring mountain landscapes, alpine rivers, and native forests, with paint brush in hand. There’s also a fun paint, pizza, and pinot workshop.

Artist and teacher Raquel Carter will show your group some easy painting techniques and guide them to create a unique memento of their stay. Excellent for groups of around 16 people seeking an activity that taps into the creativity and beauty of the Queenstown region.

Watershed

110 Beach Street, Queenstown

New Queenstown wellness offerings include hot pools in the heart of town and a floating sauna on Lake Whakatipu, ideal for business groups seeking space from the pace.

Watershed is accessed off St Omer’s Wharf. Book this floating sauna to give your guests a relaxing experience they’ll never forget. Think Finnish sauna technology with breathtaking alpine views, followed by an invigorating plunge into the lake.

Bathe by Aluume

34 Brecon Street  

Bathe by Aluume on Brecon Street is an urban oasis designed by local architects. Your guests can admire the majesty of the mountains while they relax in magnesium-enriched hot pools before an invigorating cold monsoon shower.

The Bathhouse Spa

35 Brecon Street, Queenstown

This intimate sanctuary in the heart of town is the ideal place for your group to unwind. A European-style spa dedicated to thermal wellbeing, Tthe Bathhouse combines hot soaking pools, a steam room, Finnish sauna, infrared saunas, with a cold plunge for contrast therapy.

A great downtime activity for a corporate strategy retreat or a small incentive trip, the spa encourages relaxation and restoration, with well-appointed changing rooms, meditative soundscapes, delicious teas, and subtle beauty products. Book out the whole space.

We Can Help you Organise your Queenstown Business event

Need support finding the right group accommodation, venues, eateries, and activities for your Queenstown business event? The Queenstown Convention Bureau team is here to help. Get in touch.