This is definitely the kind of place for people who burn their candles at both ends, and often adrenalin-packed days lead to fun-packed nights; Queenstown has a fantastic collection of bars and restaurants. If you stay in Downtown Queenstown expect to see people returning from their evenings out at five or six in the morning. But if you’re tucked away in a lakeside retreat you’ll hear nothing but the lap of water on the shore. The great thing about the best places to stay in Queenstown is that you’ll find them in residential neighbourhoods, in quiet, rural pockets, and in hipster havens, as well as in the centre of town.

Queenstown is well known for the adventures you can have starting right on the doorstep, on stunning Lake Wakatipu, or amongst the peaks of The Remarkables. The perfect backdrops to try your hand at bungy jumping, skydiving, jet-boating, skiing or playing golf.

Queenstown’s lake is known for its trout, its mountains known for their trails and tracks, and its hills and valleys known for their vineyards, so it’s also a wonderful place for a more relaxed paced break. Trek on horseback, take a scenic flight in a helicopter or a light aircraft, or enjoy one of the many cultural festivals and events the city hosts.

Where to Stay - Which neighbourhood?

• Downtown Queenstown, meaning the bit around the pedestrianised Queenstown Mall, is the centre of town and close to the town-side edge of the lake. So some of the hotels here have some pretty special views. Downtown Queenstown has plenty of restaurants and bars, and numerous booking agents too, which is pretty useful for planning your wine tastings, heli-skiing or bungy jumping experiences etc.. This is also a pretty affordable area to stay in, though it’s also busy. If you’re looking for the most affordable accommodation look around Shotover Street, which is where you’ll find hostels and small B&Bs. This part of town is pretty popular with backpackers.
• If it’s your first time in Queenstown, and you don’t want to stay in the centre of town we recommend you look at hotels in Fernhill, a pretty suburb on the lake on the lower slopes of Ben Lomond Mountain. This is a peaceful residential part of town, but it does have a good selection of hotels, including several restort-style properties, and of bars and restaurants. And, probably most importantly for us, it’s got wonderful lake views.
• Queenstown Hill is another good choice if this is the first time you’ve visited Queenstown. It’s the closest peak to the centre of town, but it’s still got a view of the whole valley, so you’re looking down on Downtown Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, and The Remarkables rise up out of the other side of the valley… saying the views are spectacular is an understatement. Unfortunately there isn’t any accommodation at the top of the hill, but there’s quite a bit at the foot, and between the two there’s a stretch of forest, so we say this is one of the best places to stay in Queenstown if you’re here for an outdoors-y adventure, because it can start right outside your door.
• Another greener, leafier choice is Frankton, which is close to the airport, and just outside Queenstown. It’s residential and low-rise, with numerous beautiful parks and green spaces and good access to the lake. This is a peaceful part of town, and a good choice for families.
• Shotover is another good place to look for family friendly accommodation, it’s further out of town, though, but rural and idyllic, with large resorts and camping parks, and direct access to lots of walking trails.
• If you’re looking for luxury accommodation some of the best places to stay in Queenstown can be found in Kelvin Heights, which is one of the most beautiful places to live in New Zealand, and one of the most expensive too. This is a relaxed part of town, set a bit aside from the bustle of Downtown Queenstown, which is just to the north.
• The Glenorchy Road area is also known for its luxurious accommodation, particularly mountain-style lodges.
• Or, if you fancy being out amongst the vineyards, try the Gibbston Valley.

This bustling lakeside resort is busy both summer and winter, so if you're planning a trip and want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Queenstown, we advise you to book well ahead.

The Best Places to Stay in Queenstown

For a room with a view

• Azur Lodge is a collection of nine villas, just five minutes drive from Queenstown, but right on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, with views across the lake to The Remarkables beyond. Each villa has floor to ceiling windows and living and dining areas, and the whole place feels tranquil and secluded.
• Matakauri Lodge has a stunning spot on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, and each of its 16 rooms, villas and suites have private balconies or decks from which to take full advantage of the stunning views. There’s also a heated outdoor infinity pool, a gym and a spa, and you’re just seven minutes drive from Queenstown.
• The walls of glass at QT Queenstown offer some of the most incredible views of the lake and the mountains in town. The bar and restaurant have walls of glass, and the best of the 69 rooms and suites do too, with private all-glass balconies as well. There’s a heated plunge pool and sauna if you are skiing all day, their chic bar is known for its cocktails, and the restaurant for its international fusion feasts.

For an escape

• Eichardts Private Hotel is a small, but very luxurious hotel on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. There are just ten chic, designer rooms and a gym, bar and restaurant serving seasonal local cuisine. The views are wonderful and you’re still close to the highlights of Queenstown.
• The Millbrook Resort is around 20 minutes drive from Queenstown, set on its own 500 acres of land, which includes a golf course. There is a range of self-catering cottages and suites, as well as standard hotel rooms, 170 in total, all decorated with contemporary style. Guests can also enjoy the spa, indoor pool and choice of four restaurants.

For a romantic stay

• A large percent of the hotels we recommend in Queenstown are quite contemporary in style, but if your taste runs more towards the antique, try Hulbert House, an elegant, six room villa in a great location on the hill overlooking Queenstown and the lake. All six rooms and suites have lake views, and are individually decorated in a confident, luxurious style with some really lovely antiques. There’s no restaurant but they do offer breakfast.
• The Spire Hotel has just ten suites, with wooden shutters, stone clad fireplaces and lots of other luxurious details. There’s also a cocktail bar, a restaurant and access to a gym and garden. And you’re in the centre of Queenstown, within walking distance of restaurants, cafes, bars and the main sights.
• The Evergreen Lodge has just four luxurious rooms, with wonderful views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables beyond. There’s a dining area, gym, sauna and laundry room, so while it’s small you’re not skimping on facilities.
• The Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel is a little larger, with 19 rooms. Inside this luxurious hotel you’ll find some wonderful, locally designed furniture and art and a green attitude. You’re also close to town and have great alpine views.
• The Central Ridge Boutique Hotel is a small property in the heart of Queenstown, close to both the restaurants and nightlife of town, and the Great Outdoors all around Queenstown. There are just 14 light, spacious rooms and suites, and some friendly, comfortable public spaces, including a lounge with an open fire, in the ski season.

For Families

• The Villa Del Lago is a collection of 16 fully serviced suites and apartments, all with kitchens, laundries, dining rooms and living rooms, and outdoor patios or balconies with private gas fires. As well as being family friendly this is a great place for a spot of fishing, and you’re right by the Frankton Trail.
• Queenstown House overlooks Lake Wakatipu, with the Southern Alps in the background, and the best of its ten rooms, suites and apartments have private balconies from which to enjoy the views. Everyone else can enjoy them from the peaceful outdoor decks. There are stone-clad fireplaces and local art of the walls of these simply decorated rooms, and the family apartments have kitchens and dining areas too. Breakfast is included, and they can arrange babysitting if you need them to.

For luxury

• A picturesque vineyard, overlooking Lake Hayes and the mountains, the Stoneridge Estate also has a small, but perfectly formed boutique hotel, with just nine rooms and suites and properly spectacular views. The restaurant has an excellent reputation, and there’s a pool and large garden.
• The Hotel St Moritz is a luxurious, alpine-style bolt-hole overlooking Lake Wakatipu. It’s quite large for Queenstown, with 134 rooms and suites, so it’s got extra facilities over its smaller contemporaries, with a spa, hot tub and gym, as well as a cocktail bar and restaurant. The decor is stylish, with a preference for geometric patterns and luxurious textures. The best rooms have fantastic views from their balconies.
• The Sofitel Queenstown is a classic, five star hotel from a big name international. Its 82 rooms and suites are decorated in a contemporary style with neutral colours and natural materials, including marble in the huge bathrooms. There’s a spa, a gorgeous terrace, plus a restaurant and an elegant lounge bar where they serve tapas and play jazz.

For great value

• Centrally located, the Melbourne Lodge offers a choice of 34 rooms, suites and apartments priced to suit a range of budgets. They’re all simply styled, but with big windows and fantastic views, so they feel light and pleasant. You can self-cater if you want to, and they offer breakfast.

Prefer an Apartment or Villa?

• If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, booking.com.

Travel information

• Queenstown Airport is only ten kilometres, or 15 minutes, outside the town, and has links to several Australian airports, and New Zealand’s other major airports, including Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. The flying time to Queenstown from Auckland is an hour and 45minutes, and it’s about the same from Wellington. Christchurch is about six hours drive away, but it’s a very scenic drive. Alternatively a number of buses run daily from Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, Te Anau, Wanaka and the West Coast.
• If you’re thinking about hiring a car we recommend checking what our online partners, Rentalcars have to offer.
• Queenstown has a lot to recommend it year round. In winter it’s a welcoming snow sports hub, with four ski areas, and a series of winter festivals and events, including a film festival and ice climbing event. In summer it’s a mecca for adventure sports, with long, light days you can fit a lot of adventure into. The lakeside position, surrounded by hills, means there’s a backdrop for almost every sport you can imagine. But it’s also sunny, warm and relaxed. During spring you can often ski in the mornings and play golf, or mountain bike, of an afternoon, as there’s skiing until about October. And Queenstown has a ‘proper’ autumn, with brightly coloured foliage to accompany the usual bungy jumping, jet skiing and heli-biking on offer. And this is a great time for food and wine festivals too.

Still not sure which to book?

• Expand your search to include all our recommendations for the best places to stay on the South Island.
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.