This guide lays out the differences between three exclusive-use experiences at Onsen Hot Pools & Day Spa: the Original Onsen, the Oval Onsen and the Tri-Bathe.
| Feature | Original Onsen | Oval Onsen | Tri-Bathe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Families, friends, small groups | Singles, or an intimate soak for two | Those who want a steam, hot and cold ritual |
| Guests | Up to 4 | Up to 2 | Up to 2 |
| The experience | A calming soak in a cedar hot pool | A still soak in a cedar hot pool | A sequence: eucalyptus steam shower, hot pool soak, cold plunge |
| The hot pool | Cedar-lined, the original form, more room | Cedar-lined, gentler oval shape, intimate for two | Cedar hot pool, plus eucalyptus steam room and cold plunge |
| Bathing style | Exclusive-use soak, the hot pool is yours | Exclusive-use soak, the hot pool is yours | Exclusive-use contrast-bathing circuit, everything is yours |
| Setting | Above the Shotover River canyon, Arthurs Point | Above the Shotover River canyon, Arthurs Point | Above the Shotover River canyon, Arthurs Point |
| Views | All experiences have a view of the Shotover canyon and Southern Alps | All experiences have a view of the Shotover canyon and Southern Alps | All experiences have a view of the Shotover canyon and Southern Alps |
| Day spa & massage | Optional, as Original Onsen + Treatment | Optional, as Oval Onsen + Treatment | Treatments not available with Tri-Bathe |
| Getting there | Complimentary return shuttle from town | Complimentary return shuttle from town | Complimentary return shuttle from town |
| Session length | ~60-min soak (45 minutes if enjoyed with a treatment) | ~60-min soak (45 minutes if enjoyed with a treatment) | ~60-min sequence (45 minutes if enjoyed with a treatment) |
| Price | from $117 | from $127 | from $137 |
They suit different groups and different occasions, so the right one depends on who you are coming with and the kind of Onsen experience you are after.
The Original Onsen is the larger cedar hot pool, taking up to four guests, so it suits families and small groups who want room to share the soak.
Then we have the Oval Onsen. It is a cedar hot pool for up to two, with a softer oval shape, so it leans toward couples wanting an intimate soak.
For a contrast-bathing experience, The Tri-Bathe is a guided sequence for up to two: eucalyptus steam, a hot soak, then a cold plunge. It is the choice when you want a ritual to move through rather than a single still soak.
All three sit above the Shotover River canyon at Arthurs Point in Queenstown. All are yours for exclusive use during the session and the Original Onsen and Oval Onsen can be paired with a spa treatment.
What all three share
Each is a unique Kiwi twist on the onsen concept: cedar-lined hot pools perched above the Shotover River canyon at Arthurs Point, opening out to the canyon and the Southern Alps beyond.
All are exclusive-use, so the view and the serenity are all yours.
And all three also include the complimentary return shuttle from Queenstown CBD. The cedar, the setting, and the quality of the soak are the same. What changes are the pool’s format and how many people share it.
The difference between the three
There are two real choices to make: the kind of experience you want, and how many of you there are.
- A still soak or a ritual. The Original and the Oval are about settling into one cedar hot pool and staying there. The Tri-Bathe is about moving through a rhythm of eucalyptus steam, a hot pool soak and a cold plunge.
- How many guests? The Original takes up to four. The Oval and the Tri-Bathe each take up to two.
Tri-Bathe: the contrast-bathing ritual
The Tri-Bathe is the most active of the three. For the hour, you move through a sequence of eucalyptus steam, a hot cedar soak and a cold plunge: if you enjoy contrast therapy, you’ll love this experience.
It is exclusive use and made for up to two, so the ritual is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Choose it when you want more than just a soak in a hot pool.
Original vs Oval: same soak, different size
The Original Onsen is the larger pool, taking up to four guests, so it suits families or a few friends, or anyone who wants more room.
Softer in shape, the Oval Onsen takes up to two people and has a gentler oval form, which makes it the more intimate choice for couples.
There is no difference in the views or the quality of the experience between them.
Day spa & treatments
The Original Onsen and Oval Onsen can be enjoyed on their own or paired with a treatment from our day spa.
A soak sits alongside a massage or facial, delivered by award-winning therapists using New Zealand botanicals such as Kawakawa, Manuka honey and Rotorua thermal mud.
The treatment menu is the same whichever experience you choose, so the decision comes back to format and capacity.
Getting there & logistics
All three are a short drive to Arthurs Point, about ten minutes from Queenstown CBD, and each includes a complimentary return shuttle from town, so you can leave the car behind and let the trip be part of the wind-down.
All of our hot pools & treatments book out well in advance, so it pays to plan.
Pricing
Pricing reflects the format and whether you add a treatment
- Original Onsen (exclusive-use soak, up to 4 guests): from $117
- Oval Onsen (exclusive-use soak, up to 2 guests): from $127
- Tri-Bathe (steam, hot soak, cold plunge, up to 2 guests): from $137
- Pool + Treatment packages: from $265
All three are priced around exclusive use: the experience is yours for the session, whichever you choose.
Which is right for you?
Choose the Original Onsen if you want…
- Room for up to four guests
- To share a still soak with family or a few friends
- More space in the pool
Choose the Oval Onsen if you want…
- An intimate soak for two
- A couple’s or special-occasion feel
- The gentler oval pool shape
Choose the Tri-Bathe if you want…
- A sequence of eucalyptus steam, hot soak and cold plunge
- A ritual to move through, rather than a single soak
- An exclusive-use session for up to two
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Tri-Bathe, the Oval Onsen and the Original Onsen?
Format and capacity. The Original and the Oval are a soak experience in a cedar hot pool, with the Original taking up to four guests and the Oval up to two.
The Tri-Bathe is a sequence of eucalyptus steam, a hot pool soak and a cold plunge for up to two.
All three are exclusive-use, with the same canyon and alpine setting.
What is the Tri-Bathe?
A guided contrast-bathing experience: an hour moving through eucalyptus steam, a hot pool soak and a cold plunge. It is an exclusive-use space made for up to two guests.
Which is better for couples?
Both the Oval Onsen and the Tri-Bathe take up to two. The Oval is the more intimate still soak; the Tri-Bathe adds the steam, hot and cold sequence if you want more to the session.
Which is better for families or groups?
The Original Onsen, which takes up to four guests. The maximum capacity for the Oval and the Tri-Bathe is two people.
Are all three exclusive use?
Yes. With all three, the experience is reserved just for your group, so you are not sharing with other guests.
Can I add a massage or facial to any of them?
Yes. The Original and Oval Onsen can be paired with a spa treatment for a fuller day at the spa.
How far is Onsen from Queenstown CBD?
About a ten-minute drive, at 160 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point. A complimentary return shuttle from town is available.
Do I need to book ahead?
Yes. All three require bookings and fill up quickly in peak seasons. Exclusive-use pools and spa treatments are best booked well in advance.
