Where to stay in Queenstown (the best areas and hotels)
My guide to the very best hotels and places to stay in Queenstown
The view from Hulbert House
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Brace yourself – rooms in Queenstown cost more than almost anywhere else in New Zealand. There is no shortage of rooms in Queenstown, with a vast spectrum of accommodation ranging from rowdy backpackers to the most elite lodges in New Zealand. Even so, it pays to book in advance to secure a decent price and your desired place to stay – rooms here get booked up quickly, and rates soar over peak season.
If you’re planning on splurging at one point in your itinerary, Queenstown is a good place to do it; there aren’t many good budget options (at least, not that I have found), but splash out a little and you can have some truly remarkable stays.
These are all places I have personally stayed in Queenstown over the past couple of years; as of 2026 I aim to pay for all stays myself, to try and give the most objective point of view, but I have had complimentary stays in places in the past. I’ve noted where that’s the case.
Places I have stayed in Queenstown (and that I would recommend)
Hulbert Houseis on the pricier side, but I felt it was worth it; the heritage listed property has stunning lake views, immaculate interior design, and stellar staff. The hot tub, complimentary local wines in the evening, and chef-made breakfast all add up to make this possibly the best place to stay in Queenstown.
The Dairy Hotel is an ideal central location, with bold, funky decor and some lovely touches, like the help yourself coffee and sweets bar and complimentary wine and cheese in the evening. My room had a balcony with a view of the lake.
Tahuna Pod Hostel is a great budget option or for solo travellers. It attracts an older, calmer crowd, unlike a lot of the other hostels in Queenstown.
Scenic Suites: Conveniently located a 10 minute walk from the centre of town, the rooms are somewhat plain, but I loved the lake view and amenities like a washer and dryer in the suite.
Mountain View Barn: This holiday house is a 15 minute drive from Queenstown, in a peaceful rural setting. If you don’t mind self catering it’s a gorgeous location and the house itself is cosy, modern, and well equipped. A highlight is the hot tub in the garden.
Millbrook Resort: I loved staying out in Arrowtown, away from the hustle and bustle of Queenstown central. Millbrook has complimentary shuttles to take you to and from town, and Arrowtown itself has nice restaurants and serves as a good base for exploring the area.
Choosing where to stay
Queenstown Central
The very centre of Queenstown is compact — most shops, restaurants, and tour desks are contained within a small grid you can walk around within 15 minutes.
The lakefront in town is a beautiful place for a morning or evening stroll, but if you want somewhere a little apart from the crowds, walk through the Queenstown Gardens over to Park Street, which is part of the Frankton Track along the lake. Following the lakeside along the Frankton Arm of Lake Wakatipu, the trail takes you past quieter waterfront spots to sit and enjoy the views.
A few things to note about the centre of Queenstown – parking is difficult and often expensive. Circling the tight streets of the busy centre trying to locate a parking spot can be stressful. Your best bet is often the large Wilson Parking buildings, or to plan to pick up your rental car when you leave Queenstown.
Central Queenstown’s bars and restaurants very much cater to the tourist market. Largely staffed with international visitors on working holidays, and typically packed with a younger (and just as international) crowd determined to have a good time, these venues are either vibrant or noisy, depending on your perspective.
If you prefer quieter environs, consider staying out of the centre.
Hulbert House almost feels hidden in plain sight, tucked away on a hillside right above the centre of town. The elevated position of the beautifully restored 1888 Victorian villa makes for unobstructed views across Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. Despite all the modern construction in the area around Hulbert House, the property stubbornly showcases its colonial history (the building is heritage listed as one of a dwindling number of early houses in Queenstown).
The restoration of the house – which in its past lives has served as a backpackers hostel, a bed and breakfast, and a maternity home – is divine. No detail has been spared, from the bold, textural wallpapers which are the same as those used in Buckingham Palace, to the carpet woven from New Zealand wool but with a design that recognises the influence of the Chinese settlers who arrived in the area during the gold rush years. Even the radiators were carefully sourced from an old Dunedin hospital, so they reflect a bygone era.
Arriving at Hulbert House feels like stepping into an oasis of calm (which is truly a precious feeling in a town which operates almost permanently in high gear). We were greeted by Amber (who along with Philip was unfailingly warm, kind, and helpful) with a welcome drink and an introduction to the history of the house, including a look at the guest book from the 1930s.
Our room, the Mason Suite, had a perfect lake view with blinds controlled by remote, so we could admire the morning view before even getting up. I also loved the little stack of books on the window seat; it was the perfect reading nook, especially with one of the beautiful ceramic coffee cups in hand.
A highlight of the stay was the complimentary cocktails and canapes hour (which was really two hours, from 5-7pm) where we were presented with a range of wines, all from within 50 kilometres of Hulbert House. There was no limit to the number of drinks we were served; I was very happy to make my way through the impressive wine selection while sitting by the fire in the lavish lounge area, chatting with other guests.
Other things I loved, in no particular order; our car was valet parked and returned at the end of our stay with bottles of water thoughtfully tucked into the cup holders. The toiletries in the bathroom were Sans Ceuticals, a New Zealand made brand that I use at home. We were handed gin and tonics to take with us to the hot tub, which had been prepared for us with fresh towels and bottles of water. The turndown service included vintage English tea cups and chamomile tea.
I could go on listing all the ways that we felt looked after at Hulbert House, but maybe it’s simpler to say that if you’re considering splurging on one property during your trip, this is an excellent option. Although much more expensive than the kinds of places I would normally stay, Hulbert House felt like a very worthwhile treat. I have tried to think of things I didn’t like, but can’t think of any beyond the price tag, which is the only thing preventing me from moving in permanently.
The details
Rates start from around $1100 a night for a queen room; I paid for my stay.
The Dairy Hotel is perched on the corner of Brecon Street, in an unbeatably central hillside location between the Skyline Gondola and the centre of Queenstown. The building dates back to the 1920s, when it was the town’s general store — what New Zealanders call a “dairy.” A 2020 renovation turned it into an eccentric little hotel with 13 rooms and an abundance of colour, a hallmark for the Naumi series of hotels. I can’t say I was in love with the blue and orange tartan carpet, but I did like the fact that the ceiling in my room was a rich colour and pattern. Along with the funky lamps and statement mirror, the design was fun and quirky.
The lounge area was also lavishly decorated, with red and purple couches, floral wallpaper, and a log burning fire. There’s a coffee and sweets station in the lounge during the day, complete with New Zealand lollies (pineapple lumps and aeroplanes), alternative milks and takeaway cups, which I found to be very thoughtful. From 5-6pm, there’s complimentary wine with cheese and crackers. I also enjoyed the complimentary snacks and drinks in the room, and the continental breakfast in the morning, which had sourdough bread from Ferg baker and locally made spreads.
My room — room 5 — had a little balcony overlooking Brecon street, with a view of the lake and mountains. It’s not an unobstructed view, but still a lovely morning spot (although the street is busy with streams of people walking past to the gondola just up the road). The room itself wasn’t perfect; there were no robes in the room, and the bathroom is a little cramped with little space for arranging my things. By nature of the older building the room was a little on the small side; it’s a little odd that the coffee machine is on the bedside table, but there’s nowhere else to put it. However, the big wardrobe for storage helped keep floor space free.
The central location does make parking tricky. You can park on-site for $25 a day, or in one of the nearby parking buildings (I found a free street park over on Hamilton Street, a 10 minute walk away, to avoid having to pay for parking).
Overall, the Dairy Hotel doesn’t feel quite as luxurious as it claims to be, but all the thoughtful additions and the unique design make it much more interesting than a standard hotel. It’s certainly not the cheapest place to stay in Queenstown, but when you’ll likely be paying high prices to sleep anywhere, you might as well get some free sweets and wine into the bargain.
The details
Rates start from around $520 in low season, and $630 in high season
I paid for my stay at the Dairy Hotel, and stayed in a Habitat room
The evening view from the living room of my suite at Scenic Suites in Queenstown
Perched on a hill on the edge of the town centre, Scenic Suites (part of the New Zealand owned and operated Scenic Hotel Group) does offer scenic views from some of the rooms – I had a beautiful view of the lake, but I know not all equivalent rooms were so lucky.
Even without a lake view, though, these rooms offer decent value for money.
The bathrooms are more functional than luxurious, but the rest of the suites are well-equipped, with a washing machine and dryer, a coffee machine, and generously sized living areas (there are also studio rooms on offer, which are a little smaller).
In my suite, the separate bedroom opened onto a little balcony, and the spacious living room had floor to ceiling windows to better capture the view of the lake.
It’s only a 10 minute walk to the very centre of town, but note that you will have to walk uphill to get back to the hotel.
I was hosted at Scenic Suites as part of a media famil. Rates start from around $425 a night for a one-bedroom suite
Tahuna Pod Hostel
Queenstown attracts as many young backpackers as it does affluent travellers, so there’s no shortage of hostels.
There is, however, a shortage of clean, quiet hostels – most of the budget accommodation in town involves ramshackle metal bunk beds, thin walls, and minimal floor space (at least in my experience).
Tahuna Pod Hostel is the exception, with spacious pod beds, generous lockers for storage, and facilities that are immaculately clean (along with a prime location only minutes walk from the centre of town).
Of course, this comes at a higher price point – although the upside of that is that guests in Tahuna are a little more diverse in age than the cheapest hostels, with a whole range of travellers.
The thing everyone has in common is a shared appreciation for a quiet, clean, place to stay that doesn’t break the bank. I have been a repeat visitor at Tahuna and highly recommend it for solo travellers on a budget.
I have always paid for my stay at Tahuna Pod Hostel. Rates start from around $75 a night for a dorm bed
The Sherwood has some great co-friendly credentials, and a little more personality than some of the newer properties around town.
The hotel is solar powered, thanks to an immense array of solar panels; at the time they were installed, this was New Zealand’s largest private solar array. Organic waste is composted and returned to the kitchen garden, which in turn helps supply the restaurant.
The restaurant itself is worth visiting even if you don’t get a room at the Sherwood. Almost all of the food served is sourced from New Zealand, with 75% from the South Island.
The rooms have a bohemian appeal (whether you like the low-lying beds is a matter of both taste and mobility) with some unique furnishings like the kilim cushions and rugs. But, they tend to be on the darker side, and show their age in the plastic shower curtains and thin walls. Room rates tend to fall into the mid-range for Queenstown.
There are also some cool community and wellbeing initiatives, like an onsite sauna (free for guests) and yoga classes ($25).
The hotel is located halfway between the centre and Frankton, which is great if you have a car (free parking) but a hindrance if you’re relying on public transport (it’s at least an hour to walk into town).
Frankton
The view from Frankton Beach
Staying in Frankton is more an exercise in practicality than romance.
Frankton is mostly strip malls, supermarkets and the airport, but it’s convenient if most of your planned activities are outside of Queenstown itself.
Parking is much easier to find and usually free, you’re close to amenities if you need to shop for snacks before a hike, and the airport is literally walking distance from some properties.
And it’s not ugly, by any means. Frankton isn’t really a destination in itself, but Frankton beach is a nice place to watch the sunset.
Sudima Queenstown Five Mile
HOTEL | NEW ZEALAND OWNED
Sudima Queenstown Five Mile is a great option if you’d prefer to stay in Frankton. It’s not the most inspiring location for a hotel, right on the edge of a strip mall, but the convenience of having shops and ample parking nearby is ideal if you’re not worried about being out of the centre. This hotel only opened in 2021, so it’s relatively new, and the design is immaculate.
Rates start from around $440 a night for a twin room
Driftaway Queenstown
LOCALLY OWNED | HOLIDAY PARK
An exceedingly comfortable holiday park, located right in front of the water at the Frankton arm of Lake Wakatipu, Driftaway has everything from tent sites, to powered campervan parks, and cabins (with options for both shared and private bathrooms).
This makes it one of the best places in Queenstown for a budget-friendly stay regardless of whether or not you’re travelling in a campervan. Facilities include kitchens and a family-friendly jumping pillow and playground.
Cabins from $249 a night; powered sites from $100 a night
Arrowtown
For a quieter area to stay, Arrowtown is 20km (12 miles) or a 15 minute drive from Queenstown.
Arrowtown is a gold-rush era village that has been so well preserved you half expect to see muddy-booted prospectors trudging down the street amongst the tourists. The main street is a short but sweet parade of original buildings. Although the quaint facades have been kept intact, the buildings now house a range of boutique stores, restaurants and bars. A few minutes walk from the centre is a partially restored Chinese village, dating back to the 1880s. It provides a glimpse into the often overlooked role of Chinese prospectors in the gold rush.
Arrowtown is ideal for a half day out from Queenstown, but it also works well as a base. There are a number of good places to eat and drink in Arrowtown, plus the crowds thin out significantly later in the day.
Thanks for reading this far — I hope my recommendations helped you select a special place to stay in Queenstown.
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