Queenstown accommodation is plentiful from campgrounds and hostels to 5 star hotels, lakeside residences and everything in between.
There are options to suit many different tastes and a variety of budgets. So many in fact it can be overwhelming trying to narrow down the choices. I can’t help!
I’ve lived in New Zealand for two decades and travel to Queenstown often. In this article I’m going to share 14 of my top Queenstown accommodation options to cover all budgets.
Queenstown is a popular New Zealand destination for both locals and visitors alike. Nestled in the mountains on the edge of Lake Wakatipu there’s no shortage of adventure activities, stunning alpine views, great food, shopping and so much more.
There truly is a perfect itinerary for everyone. Whether Queenstown is your final destination or a base in which to explore the South Island of New Zealand further you won’t be disappointed.
Choosing Which Area to Stay In
Choosing where to stay is an important decision to ensure you have a great stay. Many visitors to Queenstown stay in either Frankton or central Queenstown.
Here are the pros and cons for each as well as a couple of other areas we really like.
Frankton is a good option if you have a car and plan to use Queenstown as the starting point for visiting other places in the area, plus it’s close to the ski fields in winter. There is a regular bus service into central Queenstown if you don’t want to drive.
Pros: Frankton is usually more affordable than central Queenstown and most properties will offer free parking. There are a couple of big shopping centres in Frankton such as the Queenstown Central Shopping Centre and Remarkables Park Town Centre, that have plenty of restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and fuel (gas) stations.
Cons: On the flip side it has more of an industrial feel, like the practical residential area, which may not have the vibe you are after for your Queenstown vacation. Also, if you do drive into Queenstown parking can tricky to find, especially during busy periods. Traffic can be hectic as well during rush hour.
Central Queenstown is a great option for a variety of things to do and nice places to stay. Its also handy if you don’t have a car and will be exploring the area on foot or via guided tours.
Pros: You will have bars, restaurants, popular attractions and nightlife at your doorstep. You are near Lake Wakatipu and several hiking trails. Many attractions outside of town, such as Shotover Jet, the Onsen Hot Pools and NZone Skydiving offer a complimentary shuttle service from downtown Queenstown. There are also many different tours you can choose from that will pick you up from a central Queenstown location.
Cons: Accommodation in central Queenstown is generally more expensive than Frankton and parking can be tricky especially during busy seasons. If you are staying in downtown Queenstown not all properties have parking and ones that do will usually charge extra to park. You may also experience more noise with some properties that are right in the centre, especially when the nightlife is in full swing.
Fernhill is another area that you might like to consider staying in. It’s a fifteen walk to downtown Queenstown from the Fernhill area and there are quite few hotels, motels and AirBnBs in this area to choose from.
Pros: It’s walking distance to the main centre and one of the highest points in central Queenstown. Because of the elevation many of the properties have beautiful views overlooking Lake Wakatipu. Accommodation options range from luxury lodges to hotels and motels that cater to a variety of budgets.
Cons: The walk back from town is up a big hill, however there is a bus service that runs between Queenstown and Fernhill. Alternatively you can take a taxi which should cost you under $20.
Kelvin Heights is another area worth considering. It’s located just opposite Lake Wakatipu from downtown Queenstown, about a 20 minute drive away.
Pros: It’s the sunny side of Queenstown which is a bonus in the cooler months. There is a ferry service that runs between Kelvin Heights and central Queenstown if you don’t want to drive. It’s a quieter with easy access to town, Frankton and SH6.
Cons: Aside from the Hilton Resort, it’s more of a residential area with a big golf course at the end. Being on a peninsula there can be traffic depending on the time of day.
We stayed in an AirBnB in Kelvin Heights that was a five minute walk to the ferry wharf. It wasn’t an area we had considered before but it was a short notice trip and many of our usual places booked out. It worked out well, taking the ferry into town and using the car for day trips to the surrounding areas.
Queenstown Accommodation – Best Places to Stay
Here are 14 properties we really rate based on personal experience and a ton of research. We’ve broken them into budget, mid-range and luxury sections to cover a range of budgets and all properties are located in one of the areas we talked about above.
Budget Options
Campgrounds
Hiring a camper van is a great way to explore New Zealand. You have the ultimate freedom to build your dream road trip, stopping where you want and for however long you want. It’s also a great economical option when it comes to Queenstown accommodation.
There are several campgrounds located in and around Queenstown. Prices range depending on the type of accommodation and time of year so best to check the campground’s website for pricing and availability for the time you want to book.
To give you an idea, a non-powered camp site runs about NZ$50 per night for up to 6 guests and around NZ$60 per night for a powered site.
1. Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park
The Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park is the most centrally located and only a 500m (less than ½ mile) walk from the town center.
It has a range of accommodation options including self contained units and an extensive campground area with facilities to support campervans, caravans and tents.
It’s kid friendly as well with a great playground facility on site.
2. Qbox Motorhome
A little further along from Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park is Qbox Motorhome Queenstown located at 21 Bowen Street.
It’s a small peaceful campground located in an idyllic setting on the edge of Queenstown Hill Reserve.
They offer a range of options from non-powered sites to cozy cabins and are a walkable distance to Queenstown town center.
3. Driftaway Queenstown
Driftaway Queenstown is a new holiday park that opened in March 2022 in the Frankton area of Queenstown. Just a short drive from Queenstown town center, it has a range of accommodation options from camping and motorhomes to villas and cabins.
The facilities are all new and modern and there is even an option to book a private cedar hot tub experience with lake views!
4. Moke Lake Campsite
The Moke Lake Campsite is a real hidden gem if you are after a bit of seclusion in an incredibly scenic location.
It’s about a 20 minute drive from Queenstown Center heading toward Glenorchy. It has 50 non-powered sites and is first come first served. Adults cost $15 per night and the cheapest option I’ve found so far.
There is also a glamping site located at Moke Lake for an alternative option in this stunning location.
Hostels
Hostels are another great option that is easier on the budget, but they do tend to fill up in peak season so be sure to book well in advance.
A basic shared dorm room can run you about $40 per night, but do check the hostels website for up to date pricing for the time you plan to visit.
Also be aware that peak periods such as summer holidays may have a minimum number of nights required to book.
5. Nomads Queenstown
Nomads Queenstown Hostel has dorms as well as private rooms with a communal kitchen and a sauna on site. They are ideally located on Church Street right in the heart of Queenstown town center.
6. Haka Lodge
Haka Lodge Queenstown describes themselves as an upmarket backpackers. It’s located just on the fringe of town center so it’s still an easy walking distance to all the bars and restaurants but a little quieter than being right in the town center.
This award winning property has dorm rooms, private rooms and one bedroom apartments to choose from.
It’s a nice property that has thought of pretty much everything for a great stay in Queenstown. In addition to the usual shared facilities they have additional amenities you can use, buy or rent such as hairdryers, hair straighteners, laundry powder, earplugs and more.
7. Absoloot Hostel QT
Absoloot Hostel QT is centrally located on Beach Street right in the center of Queenstown. It’s a highly rated hostel with small dorm rooms as well as private room options.
They also offer winter ski packages and is an option that’s definitely worth checking out in this category.
Mid-Range Hotel Options
There are many hotel options in and around Queenstown Center. In this section I’ll cover a few of the properties we stay at most frequently and why we like them.
8. Crown Plaza Queenstown
The Crown Plaza Queenstown is a centrally located property on Beach Street that we’ve stayed at several times. We really like the location especially if you prefer to explore Queenstown center on foot. Located across from Lake Wakatipu it’s a short flat walk into the main center but quiet and peaceful.
I highly recommend a lake view room if the budget allows for it. We enjoyed watching the sunset from our veranda when we weren’t out exploring. There is also a bar and restaurant on site.
The rooms at the Crown Plaza are a little dated compared to some of the other options. This wasn’t an issue for us, the rooms were clean and spacious, just ready for a refresh. The hotel was also very accommodating when we asked for non-down bedding due to an allergy.
We’ve always found the staff to be very friendly and helpful. Being part of the IHG group you can also get member benefits and special offers when you stay here and are signed up as a member of their One Rewards programme. We would definitely stay here again for the location and wonderful service.
9. Novotel Queenstown
The Novotel Queenstown is another one of our preferred properties to stay at in Queenstown Center. We also love the location of this one, situated right across from Lake Wakatipu in the town center.
The rooms were clean and spacious with all the amenities we could need. It’s a larger property and had a busier feel at times but can’t beat the location.
10. Holiday Inn Remarkables Park
The Holiday Inn Remarkables Park is another property we enjoy staying at when visiting Queenstown.
They have two properties, Holiday Inn Express located close to Queenstown Center and Holiday Inn Remarkables Park located just five minutes from the Queenstown airport.
We recently stayed at the Holiday Inn Remarkables Park and were really impressed. It’s new, modern and clean with spacious rooms and a cozy lobby complete with fireplace.
The location is perfect as a base to explore other areas around Queenstown and close to the ski fields.
It’s also near some of our favorite breakfast spots in Queenstown. We would definitely stay here again.
Luxury Options
Here are a few of my favorite luxury properties in different areas of Queenstown. From a single hotel room to multi room villas and cottages, sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountain ranges, these properties are the ultimate places to stay in Queenstown.
Of course, as with the other categories, there are others to choose from but these would be my top picks.
11. Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa
The Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa is located near the airport on the shore of the Frankton arm of Lake Wakatipu. It’s about a 10 minute drive by car into Queenstown Center or they have a water taxi that will take you across the lake and will drop you off in the town center.
It’s a beautiful property with a heated indoor pool, several dining options and a full service spa on site. Great option for a weekend away to rest and relax.
12. Eichardts Private Hotel
Eichardts Private Hotel is a small iconic luxury property located right in the center of Queenstown across from the shores of Lake Wakatipu. It’s full of history and the on site restaurant, Eichardt’s Grille, is a favorite amongst visitors and locals.
13. Rosewood Matakauri
Rosewood Matakauri has been on my bucket list for years as the ultimate Queenstown accommodation.
Located just 10 minutes drive from Queenstown Center, every room including the restaurant and common areas have spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu. It’s luxury with the cozy feeling of home.
The onsite restaurant menu changes daily with an emphasis on fresh local produce. There are set dining times for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a variety of dining spaces to enjoy your meal from.
They have several room types to choose from including a full cottage with a private outdoor hot tub!
14. Kamana Lakehouse
Another boutique luxury property that is on my list is Kamana Lakehouse. Located in the Fernhill area of Queenstown, it’s the highest altitude accommodation in the Queenstown Center area.
Perched on the lush hillside, it has beautiful views of Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountains. There are a variety of room types to choose from and they even have their own private hot tub experience on site that guests can book.
Airbnbs are another great Queenstown accommodation option that come in a variety of sizes, styles and prices, especially if you have flexibility to stay in an area outside the main center. You can find a range of properties that offer good value.
We recently stayed at a wonderful Airbnb in Glenorchy. It was new, clean and beautifully appointed with a little kitchenette and a huge bathroom. The hosts were really friendly as well and gave us a warm welcome and tips on where to find something to eat since we arrived a bit later than planned.
Conclusion
With so many choices available I hope this article helps you find the perfect Queenstown accommodation to meet all your needs. This is in no way an exhaustive list, these are my preferred options based on personal experience and local knowledge.
Queenstown, New Zealand and surrounds is a great place to explore wherever you choose to stay. I hope you love it here as much as we do!
Travel Planning Guide
🚗 Where should I book my rental car?
Renting a car is one of the best ways to get around New Zealand. Public transportation can only get you so far, even in the cities. I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks the prices of all major rental car companies, so you get the best rates.
🚐 What about a campervan?
Renting a campervan is a fantastic way to experience the more remote areas of New Zealand. I really like JUCY because they have a big range of vehicles and locations around the country, which offers more flexibility with pick-up and drop-off. I also like Motorhome Republic, which compares all the campervan options available in NZ.
🎟 Where should I book my tours?
Tours are a great way to experience New Zealand’s top attractions while learning about the area and culture through local guides. We always use Viator and Get Your Guide to find the best tours.
🛏 What’s the best way to book my accommodations?
For hotels and vacation rentals, Booking.com or Expedia.com are the best sites. You can also book through TripAdvisor. If you’re considering renting a house instead, try VRBO which often has good deals.
🛩 What’s the best site to buy flights to New Zealand?
For finding the best deals on flights to New Zealand from around the world, I recommend Kayak.com.
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Heather is a travel enthusiast living in New Zealand with her family. She writes about living in and enjoying travel to New Zealand.
Hi Heather. I’m planning to visit Queenstown as soon as possible so I love to learn paragliding and ride to motorcycles. I’m not sure where I would stay and when I could get there. I’m looking for something special for myself. Can you please give me hints about it? Thanks so much for your help. Regards Pavol Adamek
Hi Pavol. How exciting! It really depends on your budget and the kind of experience you are looking for. There are many different options for places to stay in Queenstown from fun backpackers to high end luxury resorts and even glamping experiences. This article covers a lot of the options so have a read and see if anything resonates with you. Have a wonderful trip.