Best accommodation in Queenstown: Where to stay
/As New Zealand’s tourist hub and most popular destination, Queenstown is packed to the rafters with hotels. You can rest your weary head in hostels and all the up to the most luxurious lodges.
But what’s the best accommodation in Queenstown for your personal needs and wants? Are you looking for a couples retreat? A place for a ladies’ getaway? Or the most family-friendly hotels?
Queenstown Where to stay? Find the best accommdation in queenstown for you (pic by queenstownnz)
Having worked as a travel agent most of my life, I know there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ hotel and what might be perfect for one person might be the next person’s nightmare. So I’ve listed some of the most popular hotels in Queenstown (and in Gibbston in the vineyards) and analysed their pros and cons from a neutral point of view (well, mostly anyway, everyone’s got favourites) to help you find where to stay in Queenstown that suits you.
Best accommodation in Queenstown: Where to stay?
Accommodation in Queenstown town centre
QT Queenstown
Official category: 5*
Stylish, colourful hotel with amazing views over Lake Wakatipu. QT Queenstown was the first of the QT branded hotels in New Zealand (one more is in Wellington and the newest in the family is QT Auckland). The QT hotels are famous for being just a little different from the others.
The Bazaar restaurant has an open kitchen with multiple food stations where you can watch the chefs do their cooking magic. Next door is Red Bar for extraordinary cocktails and nibbles. Both the restaurant and the bar offer stunning views over the lake.
The hotel has a small, heated pool.
The rooms have a decent size (starting at 37sqm | 398sqft) and have a funky, colourful and cosy interior. I especially love the typical QT minibar with equipment to make your own martini (shaken or stirred) and giant knitted throws.
Highlights:
The Bazaar restaurant makes you feel a bit like you’re in a Moroccan food court
Walking distance to the town centre
Cons:
The restaurant and the bar don’t have an outdoor terrace to enjoy the delicious treats which is fine for winter and rainy days but a pity on a warm summer’s day
Conclusion:
If you like a stylish hotel that’s awesome for taking lots of pictures and videos and close to town, the QT is one of the best hotels in Queenstown for you.
The Spire Hotel
Official Category: 5*
This luxury boutique accommodation is hidden in plain sight, in a little laneway in the heart of Queenstown. The hotel’s lobby resembles more an art gallery than a check-in desk and the staff’s impeccable service is just as subtle and discreet. Upon arrival, every guest is not only shown their room but also receives a tour of the hotel and its services, including the on-site restaurant.
The Spire Hotel only has 10 suites, thought-through to the very last detail. All suites are 60sqm | 645sqft big and have a gas fireplace, a minibar and a bathroom with separate tub and shower. All suites also have a large balcony with outdoor seating, some of which look towards the charming laneway while others have partial lake and mountain views.
Highlights:
Super-central boutique accommodation in Queenstown
Immaculate customer service
Cons:
Nothing comes to mind
Conclusion:
A luxurious hidden gem right in the heart of Queenstown for couples or on business
Novotel Queenstown Lakehouse
Official category: 4*
ou can trust Novotel to find the most amazing locations for their properties. Just like the one in Rotorua, Novotel Queenstown is located centrally and only a few steps from the lake.
The hotel has a lovely garden that is shared with the hotel’s Elements Lounge bar. Fun fact: Elements restaurant produces their very own honey on the hotel’s rooftop! Any honey you put on your toast at breakfast come’s right off the roof.
The hotel also has a gym room and spa bath to relax after a long day exploring Queenstown.
All rooms are approximately 26sqm | 279 sqft big, some of them have lake view.
Highlights
Amazing location only steps from Lake Wakatipu, restaurants and nightlife.
The rooftop honey is pretty cool
Cons
In-room wifi is not included in the rate. Free wifi should be a given nowadays.
The rooms could do with an upgrade
Conclusion
Great value for money hotel in Queenstown that’s only steps away from the town centre and Lake Wakatipu
Blue Peaks Lodge
Official category: 3*
One of the best value for money hotels in Queenstown, Blue Peaks Lodge is extremely popular and tends to book out early. No wonder, though, as it’s centrally located steps away from Queenstown’s hustle and bustle but still far enough to enjoy a more quiet neighbourhood.
Blue Peaks Lodge is a Queenstown motel, which means you can park your car right on their property, for free! The lodge is only a short walking distance from the town centre which means you can leave your car parked and explore all of Queenstown’s activities (like the Skyline and Luge, lake cruises, restaurants, bars, you name it) independently. And in winter, you don’t even need to get into town first for your ski bus, there’s a bus stop right in front of the hotel.
The rooms start at 20 sqm | 215 sqft. This is for the Queen Room, Blue Peaks’ only ‘hotel’ room (meaning without kitchen amenities other than tea and coffee). The Studio (34sqm | 366 sqft), 1-bedroom apartment (37sqm | 398sqft) and 2-bedroom apartment (55sqm | 592sqft) all have big kitchenettes in the room with a large fridge, microwave and stovetop. So perfect for independent family holidays or to stay with friends.
Highlights
Free parking (super rare in Queenstown!)
Great value for money
Kitchenette and even full kitchen (apart from Queen Room)
Great for families
Bus stops for the airport bus and to the ski field are right across the hotel
Cons
Often books out, so plan ahead if you want to stay at this Queenstown accommodation
The main road can be a little noisy at times
Conclusion
Great value-for-money accommodation in Queenstown for couples and families who value a nice place to stay but don’t need all the resort amenities
Queenstown: Where to stay around the lake
Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa
Official category: 5*
The Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa is my personal favourite Queenstown accommodation! I love its location right on Lake Wakatipu, the restaurant and bar (with fireplace) right on the water’s edge. Wakatipu Grill is the best place to watch the sun go down in the evening AND for breakfast in the morning. If you’re a breakfast-eater like me, you must try Hilton Queenstown’s breakfast buffet!
The fact that there’s also a cafe and a pub on the property, not more than a few steps from the rooms, is an additional bonus.
The guest rooms are massive, starting at a whopping 44sqm | 472 sqft! All rooms feel homely and cosy thanks to the gas fireplace and a balcony overlooking the lake. For those romantic getaways, the Hilton Queenstown offers special rooms with a spa bath on the balcony and looking straight out over the lake!
And, oh my god, the wellness and spa area is absolutely beautiful! I’m always on the lookout for proper wellness retreat hotels in New Zealand (there aren’t that many) and the Hilton Queenstown really is an amazing one!
As it’s solely for the guest of Hilton Queenstown (although guests of the Doubletree next door can use it for a fee), it’s never overly busy. There’s an indoor lap pool, a spa bath and lounging chairs on the ground floor, while upstairs you can find the sauna and steam baths (one each in the changing rooms) as well as the spa treatments. It’s seriously the best place to unwind after an action-packed day in Queenstown!
Highlights:
Stunning wellness and spa area with pool, spa bath, sauna and steam bath
Some rooms have spa baths on the balcony
Breakfast buffet
Resort-style with cafe, pub and a fine-dining restaurant on the property
Cons:
Not central, needs either a taxi or a boat to get to town (there’s a taxi boat that goes regularly like a bus)
Conclusion:
If you’re looking for a wellness weekend with the girls or a romantic hotel, this is the best accommodation in Queenstown for you
Heritage Hotel Queenstown
Official Rating: 4*
The Heritage Queenstown is located in Fernhill, a little elevated and with a fantastic view over Lake Wakatipu. You’ll feel right at home in this inviting mountain-chalet-style hotel. Old-school skis are hanging on the walls in the lobby and the couches in front of the wood fireplace invite you to drink a cup of hot chocolate (or mulled wine, I’m not judging).
Rounding off the mountain chalet experience is a sauna to warm up after a long day on the slopes or biking, and an outdoor pool (although it’s not heated, so only for the brave in winter).
You can walk to town (approx 20mins) or wait for the bus that’s stopping right in front of the hotel. The Ben Lomond Track starts not far from the hotel and biking trails also pass very close to the hotel.
The rooms start at 26 sqm | 279 sqft and are filled with all the amenities you’ll need. Some of the rooms offer lakeview. Families will especially love the Heritage Queenstown as their family room either comes with two super king beds or 1 super king and 2 single beds.
Highlights
Family rooms
Super-cosy feeling
Cons
A 20-min walk to town isn’t everyone’s cup of tea
Conclusion
Great hotel for families, hikers, bikers and skiers
Kamana Lakehouse
Official Category: 5*
An architectural highlight, Kāmana Lakehouse is the perfect balance between design and cosy. Sleek lines, stone features and wood-paneled walls attribute to the modern mountain chalet feel while floor-to-ceiling windows let in a lot of daylight and the stunning Queenstown landscape becomes part of the interior. Located on a hill overlooking Lake Wakatipu, Kāmana Lakehouse is about a 5-minute drive from Queenstown’s town centre.
The Nest Kitchen & Bar is the hotel’s restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner and extremely popular with both hotel guests and visitors who might be celebrating a special occasion. I highly recommend you make reservations if you’d like to eat at the Nest as it books out regularly.
The rooms at Kāmana Lakehouse start at 22sqm | 237 sqft. The Kāmana Rooms look into the courtyard and have a semi-private outdoor seating area. The Remarkables Rooms are of the same size but on a higher floor and look out to the name-giving Remarkable Ranges. Tahuna Rooms are the smallest but have unobstructed views over Lake Wakatipu. The hotel’s highlight and pride, however, are the Lakeview Luxe rooms. They not only overlook the lake but come with your very own outdoor bathtub on the balcony! And if you don’t like to bathe outdoors, there’s also a tub in the bathroom that’s located right at the window, so you can enjoy the views almost in the same way.
In-house guests of the Kāmana Lakehouse can also book a 1-hour session in one of the hotel’s private hot tubs that overlook the lake. They’re built in a similar way to Queenstown’s popular Onsen.
Highlights:
The Nest Restaurant (be sure to book)
Private hot tubs overlooking the lake, for guests only
Some rooms have bath tubs on the balcony
Cons:
A 20-min walk to town isn’t everyone’s cup of tea
Despite the name, Kamana Lakehouse isn’t directly at the lake, this might be confusing (but maybe that’s just me)
Conclusion:
Ideal hotel for people who enjoy a stylish, design accommodation in Queenstown that still feels cosy.
Accommodation in the Gibbston Vineyards
Gibbston is Queenstown’s closest wine region and a day tour through the wineries and their vineyards is one of the most popular things to do in Queenstown. Over the last years, bike trails connecting the wineries were built and the wineries themselves have added pretty awesome accommodation options, turning Gibbston into a destination in itself.
Kinross Cottages
Official Rating: none (but I’d say 4*)
There’s something very romantic about sleeping surrounded by vineyards. And it certainly is super romantic to stay at Kinross Cottages.
The modern Studios are 45sqm | 484sqft big and either look out towards the vineyards or the garden. Either way, it’s super peaceful! All rooms have a kitchenette with microwave and a cooktop which is ideal to prepare breakfast. Or dinner, but with a restaurant on-site that makes amazing pizza on woodfire, you probably won’t need it too often. Some of the rooms have connecting doors for families or groups of friends.
Kinross is the cellar door for five Gibbston boutique wineries. It’s unlikely you’ll run out of varietals to try and compare the different wine makers.
After a long day exploring, book yourself a session in the hot tub to soothe your exhausted muscles (you might still be tense after jumping off nearby Kawaru Bridge. Or from riding through Gibbston).
And here’s something else we love at Discover Aotearoa: Kinross Cottages is a dog-friendly accommodation! Yay!
Highlights:
Family-friendly rooms with kitchenette
Dog-friendly accommodation
Cons:
You’ll need the car to go anywhere as there’s nothing within walking distance
Conclusion:
Kinross is a great boutique accommodation in Gibbston for couples, families with kids and even fur babies!
Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa
Official Rating: 5*
For a super-luxurious and indulgent vineyard experience, you HAVE to stay at Gibbston Valley Lodge! You’ll be pampered to no end!
Gibbston was the first vineyard in the region and a pioneer in Pinot Noir. The winery is also home to the famous wine cave and a cheesery next door. The restaurant rounds off the gourmet experience as chef Anthony Gradiska creates fantastic European dishes with a kiwi twist.
Gibbston Valley Lodge has 24 villas, all of which are a massive 66sqm | 700sqft big. The rooms feature a lounge area with gas fireplace and a visually separated ‘bedroom’. A covered deck overlooks the historic vineyard. Your room also includes a complimentary wine tasting and a delicious breakfast. You also have access to the spa bath, sauna and they gym.
Unwind in the lodge’s amazing wine-themed day spa. How about a relaxing Vinotherapy Renewal?
Highlights:
The high-end inclusions like breakfast, wine tasting and access to the spa baths, sauna and gym
Gourmet restaurant on-site
Cons:
You’ll need the car to go anywhere as there’s nothing in walking distance
Conclusion:
Luxury accommodation near Queenstown with focus on food, wine and pampering.
What do you think is the best accommodation in Queenstown and why? Let me know, I’m keen to add even more to my list!
Read more about Queenstown
All the things to do in Queenstown in Winter and indoor activities for when the weather is crappy
Check out the Queenstown to Milford Sound mini road trip on our sister site Weekend Getaways NZ.
