Central Queenstown
Stay in the middle of all the action, with vibrant night life, restaurants and cafes on your doorstep. Here’s a round up of some of Queenstown’s best hotels.
Best for Couples
Browns Boutique Hotel is near the gondola, within walking distance to the heart of Queenstown’s. This European styled boutique hotel has views over Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables. Brown's also has a cosy central lounge, great for planning your day or relaxing after a busy day exploring Queenstown.
Best for Families
Novotel Queenstown Lakeside sits right on the edge of the lake in the middle of town. You’re within one minute walking distance to galleries, cafes, restaurants and bars. Accommodation and breakfast are free for up to two children under 16. They’ve a children’s corner with toys, books, children’s school holidays activities, and the hotel is right beside a popular lakeside children’s playground.
Best for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Sherwood is ideal for skiers, bikers and hikers. A large ski and gear storage area allows you to dry kit overnight, while a ski and bike workshop is a great place to meet locals and find out about runs and trails. The simple cosy rooms suit outdoor adventurers. Sherwood offers daily yoga classes, a sauna, massage, and meditation for active people to decompress.
Best for on a Budget
For accommodation with a difference, New Zealand’s first smart hotel mi-pad is centrally located within easy walking distance of surrounding activities, dining and nightlife. Download the mi-pad app and have full control of your mi-pad experience from checking in, to adjusting room temperature and lighting.
For a full list of places to stay in Queenstown and surrounds, see here.
mi-pad Queenstown
Fernhill
Fernhill is a picturesque spot 2.8km from central Queenstown. Experience Queenstown at a more relaxed pace but still be within a 30-minute walk, and on the main bus route to town, Fernhill is one of the best areas to stay in Queenstown if you like to be away from the buzz.
Best for Couples
Kamana Lakehouse is situated on the lower slopes of Ben Lomond overlooking Lake Wakatipu with expansive views over the lake and surrounding mountains. Enjoy a private hot tub with a panoramic view. Then book a table at Nest Kitchen + Bar, a restaurant voted one of the top places in the world for date night by Trip Advisor Traveler Choice Awards 2024.
Best for Families
Heritage Hotel Queenstown’s spacious family rooms have additional space to accommodate the whole family with two super king beds or a super king and two single beds. There are great TV channels for kids, and the buffet breakfast is a hit. There’s a heated pool for everyone to swim, with a spa and cedar sauna for parents to relax.
Best for on a Budget
Mercure Queenstown Resort is an affordable 4-star hotel with spacious comfortable rooms, spectacular lake views and a hearty buffet breakfast. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool (only open in season) spa pools, sauna, gym and a sports storage room.
Kamana Lakehouse
Frankton & Kelvin Heights
Frankton and Kelvin Heights are great locations if you’d like to be closer to The Remarkables ski field and Queenstown Airport. Frankton is a busy hub with a great selection of cafes, bars, restaurants, and supermarkets. You’re a 20-minute bus ride from Queenstown CBD.
Best for Couples
Hilton Queenstown Resort and Spa is a 10-minute drive from Queenstown Airport, with a prime lake front location. With a collection of on-site restaurants and bars, a spa, and lakeside walking trails on your doorstep, Hilton is a hub of its own. However, if you wish to leave the village the Queenstown CBD is only a 15-minute drive or a scenic water taxi ride away, or you can walk 7kms into town along the easy lakeside trail.
Best for Families
Serviced apartment-style accommodation is great for families. Quest Queenstown offers studios with a fully equipped kitchenette and two-bed apartments with full kitchen and laundry facilities. Quest’s pantry shopping service can arrange to have groceries delivered to your apartment, so you can spend more time out having fun.
Best for on a Budget
Oaks Queenstown Club Suites are ideal if you’d like self-contained accommodation and a lake front location only a short drive from Queenstown's town centre. Located on Frankton Road, Oaks looks out over Lake Whakatipu and includes one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, most with full kitchens and laundry facilities.
Best for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Wyndham Garden Remarkables Park studios and one-bedroom apartments have kitchenettes, washers and dryers, making them ideal for an active stay where you’re going to want to pack sandwiches and wash muddy gear. Other facilities include ski storage and a fitness centre. Local favourite Frank’s Pantry run a café at the hotel.
Here’s a guide to more places to stay in Frankton.
Hilton Queenstown
Arthurs Point
Beautiful Arthurs Point is one of the best areas to stay in Queenstown if you’re an outdoor enthusiasts who enjoys skiing, hiking and cycling, or you simply want to spend time in stunning surrounds. You’re an easy seven-minute drive from Queenstown’s town centre.
Head up Coronet Peak with your skis over winter or your mountain bikes over summer. Spend the afternoon beer tasting at Canyon Brewing, soak in the Onsen Hot Pools, or dust off the cobwebs with a jaunt through the canyons on the Shotover Jet.
Best for Couples
THC Nugget Point Hotel overlooks the Shotover River. It’s a tranquil spot to relax and soak in the views from your balcony or get a massage at the spectacular onsite spa. Currently closed for renovations.
Best for Families
Swiss-Belresort near Coronet Peak is an affordable resort with family rooms, villas and a kids’ play area. It’s popular with families skiing at Coronet Peak, and the hotel also offers Queenstown's only seven lane bowling entertainment, Strike Bowl.
Best for on a Budget
The Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park is only seven minutes from central Queenstown. With one- and two-bedroom motels, self-contained units and cabins, ensuite rooms, and lodge accommodation for groups, this holiday park is ideal for an affordable trip. Facilities include a hot tub, free Wi-Fi, kids’ playground, and free shuttles into town.
Nugget Point Hotel, currently closed for renovations
Arrowtown
If you’d like to base yourself somewhere totally unique, historic Arrowtown is 20 minutes from Queenstown. Arrowtown is a gold rush village with a rich and interesting history, cycling and walking trails, award-winning restaurants, and boutique cafes and shops.
Best for Couples
Arrowtown has a range of boutique lodges and B&B’s, including Arrowtown Lodge. This attractive small hotel is on a treelined street with views towards Sawpit Gully and Macetown. You’re an easy walk from Arrowtown's main street. Relax in the sunny garden and listen to the birds or pour yourself a glass of local Pinot and cosy up by the outdoor firepit at night.
Best for Families
Settlers Cottage Motel in Arrowtown is a lovely cluster of seven charming cottages, some studio style, some with two bedrooms. Cottages have kitchenettes and BBQs, and there’s a laundry and playground onsite, as well as two friendly motel cats.
Best for Golfers and Outdoor Enthusiasts
Millbrook Resort offers luxury accommodation away from the crowds in spacious grounds. Millbrook is famous for its two championship golf courses. The resort is home to the New Zealand Open. Play a round or two before adjourning to the onsite spa or hire a bike and explore the Queenstown Trail.
Best for on a Budget
Hampshire Holiday Park in Arrowtown has self-contained flats, ensuite studios, lodge rooms, and tent sites. There are BBQ and kitchen facilities, a laundry, a playground with popular trampolines, and a tennis court. You’re just a few minutes’ walk from Arrowtown centre, and near the Arrow River cycle trail that leads to Gibbston wine region.
There are plenty of other places to stay in Arrowtown, find out more here.
Millbrook Resort