Queenstown is New Zealand's adventure capital, set on the shore of Lake Wakatipu beneath The Remarkables mountain range. Known for bungy jumping, jet boating and skiing, it also offers lakeside dining, Central Otago wineries and the gold-rush village of Arrowtown.
Accommodation overview
Queenstown's accommodation is concentrated in the town centre and along the lakefront, where hostels, boutique hotels and five-star properties such as Eichardt's, Sofitel and Hotel St Moritz sit within walking distance of restaurants and activity booking offices. Frankton Road and Fernhill hold many motels and apartments with lake views, while Frankton and Remarkables Park suit travellers using the airport or heading to the Remarkables ski field. Arrowtown, Millbrook, Glenorchy and Kinloch offer quieter lodges and luxury retreats outside town. Peak demand falls in the December-February summer season and the June-September ski season, when rooms book out and rates rise, while April-May and October-November are better value.
- Budget
- NZ$32-180 (~US$19-104) per night: dorm beds from about NZ$32-40, private hostel rooms and basic motels up to about NZ$180
- Mid-range
- NZ$160-600 (~US$93-348) per night for motels, serviced apartments and four-star hotels
- Luxury
- NZ$450-4,000 (~US$261-2,320) per night for five-star hotels and luxury lodges
- Where to stay
- The town centre or lakefront for walkability, Frankton Road for value apartments, Frankton for airport access, Glenorchy for remote luxury
Hotels by budget
Find accommodation that fits your travel budget.
Budget-friendly
Autoline Motel
Budget motel on Dublin Street within walking distance of the centre.
Check rates on Booking.comTurner Lodge
Guesthouse at 2 Turner Street just above the town centre.
Check rates on Booking.comBlack Sheep Backpackers
Hostel at 13 Frankton Road with dorm beds and private rooms, a short walk from the lake.
Check rates on Booking.comPinewood Lodge
Backpacker lodge on Hamilton Road near Queenstown Gardens.
Check rates on Booking.comHaka Lodge Queenstown
Hostel at 6 Henry Street with dorms and private rooms near the town centre.
Check rates on Booking.comHaka House Queenstown Lakefront
Lakefront hostel at 88 Lake Esplanade (formerly YHA Queenstown Lakefront).
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Backpackers at 4 Isle Street, close to the lakefront.
Check rates on Booking.comAdventure Queenstown Hostel
Hostel at 36 Camp Street in the middle of the town centre.
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Backpackers at 11 Gorge Road, a short walk from the centre.
Check rates on Booking.comLylo Queenstown
Modern hostel beside the Camp Street shared path in the town centre.
Check rates on Booking.comHippo Lodge Backpackers
Backpackers at 4 Anderson Heights above the town centre.
Check rates on Booking.comAbsoloot Value Accommodation
Budget accommodation at 50 Beach Street.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Flaming Kiwi Backpackers
Backpackers at 39 Robins Road near the Gorge Road end of town.
Check rates on Booking.comMid-range
Browns Boutique Hotel
Boutique hotel on Isle Street, a few minutes' walk from the lakefront and Camp Street restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comQueenstown Park Boutique Hotel
Boutique hotel on Robins Road near Queenstown Gardens and the town centre.
Check rates on Booking.comCrowne Plaza Queenstown
Four-star IHG hotel on Beach Street between the lakefront and the main shopping streets.
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Four-star lakeside hotel at Earl Street and Marine Parade.
Check rates on Booking.comRydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown
Lakefront resort on Lake Esplanade with lake views and apartments.
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Resort-style apartments and rooms on Lake Esplanade a short walk from the centre.
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Four-star all-suite hotel near Sydney Street and Stanley Street in central Queenstown.
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Mid-range hotel on Stanley Street within walking distance of the lakefront.
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Hotel on the Frankton Road side of the town centre with easy walking access to Shotover Street.
Check rates on Booking.comCopthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown Lakefront
Lakefront-side resort hotel at the corner of Frankton Road and Adelaide Street.
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Lakeside resort of apartments and hotel rooms on Frankton Road.
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Eco-minded hotel and cabins on Frankton Road with a restaurant and bar.
Check rates on Booking.comHoliday Inn Queenstown Frankton Road
Hotel on Frankton Road between the town centre and Frankton.
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Hillside hotel on Fernhill Road with views over the lake and the Remarkables.
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Hillside Accor resort at Sainsbury Road in Fernhill with views over the town and lake.
Check rates on Booking.comHoliday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park
Hotel at Red Oaks Drive in the Remarkables Park commercial area near the airport.
Check rates on Booking.comRamada Suites by Wyndham Queenstown Remarkables Park
Apartment-style suites on Hawthorne Drive at Remarkables Park, Frankton.
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Hotel on Mountain Ash Drive in the Remarkables Park area of Frankton.
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Serviced apartments on Red Oaks Drive at Remarkables Park, Frankton.
Check rates on Booking.comQueenstown Gateway Apartments
Self-contained apartments on Frankton Road at Frankton.
Check rates on Booking.comLomond Lodge Motel & Apartments
Motel and apartment accommodation on Man Street, a short walk uphill from the town centre.
Check rates on Booking.comHurley's of Queenstown
Central motel and apartment accommodation near Frankton Road and the lakefront.
Check rates on Booking.comLakeRidge Queenstown
Apartment complex on Thompson Street overlooking the lake, near the Queenstown Gardens end of town.
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Apartments on Thompson Street with elevated lake views, a short walk from the centre.
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Apartments on Coronation Drive close to the town centre.
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Apartments on Gorge Road, a few minutes' walk from the town centre.
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Apartment-style accommodation at 109 Beach Street near the lake and Steamer Wharf.
Check rates on Booking.comAlexis Motor Lodge
Motel on Suburb Street within walking distance of the centre.
Check rates on Booking.comColonial Village Motel
Motel on Frankton Road on the walk between the centre and Queenstown Bay.
Check rates on Booking.comBlue Peaks Lodge
Lodge-style motel on Stanley Street near the town centre.
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Motel on Sydney Street in central Queenstown.
Check rates on Booking.comQueenstown Motel Apartments
Motel apartments at 62 Frankton Road, a short walk from the town centre.
Check rates on Booking.comAmber Lodge
Motel at the start of Gorge Road, a few minutes from the town centre.
Check rates on Booking.comRemarkable Scene Guesthouse
Guesthouse on Thompson Street with views across the lake to the Remarkables.
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Apartment accommodation at 20 Stanley Street in the town centre.
Check rates on Booking.comBlack Diamond Apartments
Apartment at 12 Hallenstein Street in the town centre.
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Apartments at 61 Shotover Street in the heart of the town centre.
Check rates on Booking.comSettlers Cottage Motel
Motel in Arrowtown a short walk from Buckingham Street and the historic centre.
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Boutique accommodation at 9 Merioneth Street, Arrowtown.
Check rates on Booking.comGlenorchy Hotel
Hotel on Argyle Street in Glenorchy at the head of Lake Wakatipu, about 45 minutes' drive from Queenstown.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Headwaters Eco Lodge
Eco lodge at 42 Oban Street in Glenorchy.
Check rates on Booking.comKinloch Wilderness Retreat
Lodge on Kinloch Road at Kinloch on the western shore of Lake Wakatipu, reached by road from Glenorchy.
Check rates on Booking.comLuxury
Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa
Five-star hotel on Duke Street in the town centre, a short walk from the lakefront, with the So SPA on site.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel St Moritz Queenstown - MGallery
Five-star MGallery hotel in the Brunswick Street lakefront precinct with a spa and restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comQT Queenstown
Design-led five-star hotel at the Brunswick Street end of the Queenstown lakefront.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments
Lakefront hotel and luxury apartments on Frankton Road looking over Lake Wakatipu to the Remarkables.
Check rates on Booking.comEichardt's Private Hotel
Historic five-star private hotel on Marine Parade at the water's edge, with a bar and grill restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Apartments by Eichardt's
Luxury serviced apartments on Marine Parade operated by Eichardt's.
Check rates on Booking.comHulbert House
Restored 1888 villa and boutique luxury accommodation on Malaghan Street above the town centre.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Dairy Private Hotel
Boutique private hotel in a restored heritage building on Brecon Street.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Spire Hotel
Boutique hotel on Church Lane in the heart of the town centre.
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Lakeside Hilton-brand hotel at Kawarau Falls, about 5 minutes' drive from Queenstown Airport.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Hills Lodge
Lodge on Arrowtown Lake Hayes Road between Lake Hayes and Arrowtown.
Check rates on Booking.comBlanket Bay Lodge
Luxury lakeside lodge on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road on the northern shore of Lake Wakatipu.
Check rates on Booking.comAro Ha Wellness Retreat
Residential wellness retreat at 163 Station Valley Road near Glenorchy.
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Five-star golf and spa resort on Malaghans Road between Arrowtown and Queenstown, with multiple restaurants and a spa.
Check rates on Booking.comRosewood Matakauri
Twelve-suite luxury lodge on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, about 7 km from central Queenstown on the Glenorchy road.
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Hillside private-villa luxury lodge above Lake Wakatipu in the Sunshine Bay area of Queenstown.
Check rates on Booking.comBest neighborhoods to stay
Choose your base based on your interests and travel style.
Queenstown Town Centre
Shotover, Camp, Beach and Rees streets, with the lakefront, Steamer Wharf, restaurants, bars and bungy and jet-boat booking offices within a few minutes' walk.
Best for: First-time visitors, solo travellers, nightlife, hostel stays
Lakefront
Lake Esplanade, Thompson Street and Marine Parade run along the lakeshore towards Queenstown Gardens, with many lake-view hotels and apartments.
Best for: Couples, lake views, short walks into town
Frankton Road and Fernhill
Frankton Road runs east from the centre with motels, resorts and apartments; Fernhill sits on the hillside to the west with views over the lake and Remarkables.
Best for: Drivers, families, value apartments
Frankton, Remarkables Park and Kawarau Falls
The commercial hub near Queenstown Airport, with chain hotels, serviced apartments, shops and a lakeside hotel at Kawarau Falls.
Best for: Early flights, shopping, Remarkables ski access
Arrowtown and Millbrook
Gold-rush village about 20 minutes from Queenstown with motels and lodges, plus the Millbrook golf resort nearby.
Best for: Autumn colour, golf, quieter stays
Glenorchy and Kinloch
The head of Lake Wakatipu, about 45 minutes by road from Queenstown, with small hotels, lodges and wellness retreats near the Routeburn and Dart River areas.
Best for: Hikers, luxury lodge stays, quiet nature
Our top picks
Handpicked recommendations for every type of traveler.
Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa
Five-star hotel on Duke Street in the town centre, a short walk from the lakefront, with the So SPA on site.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel St Moritz Queenstown - MGallery
Five-star MGallery hotel in the Brunswick Street lakefront precinct with a spa and restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comQT Queenstown
Design-led five-star hotel at the Brunswick Street end of the Queenstown lakefront.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments
Lakefront hotel and luxury apartments on Frankton Road looking over Lake Wakatipu to the Remarkables.
Check rates on Booking.comEichardt's Private Hotel
Historic five-star private hotel on Marine Parade at the water's edge, with a bar and grill restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Apartments by Eichardt's
Luxury serviced apartments on Marine Parade operated by Eichardt's.
Check rates on Booking.comBooking tips
Get the best deals and avoid common mistakes.
Book 3-4 months ahead for December-February and for the June-September ski season
Rates shown are typical ranges and move with events and season; check each property's website for current prices
Queenstown Airport is about 20 minutes from the centre; Frankton hotels are about 5 minutes away
Many motels and apartments on Frankton Road need a bus or short taxi ride into town; central hostels need none
Glenorchy and Kinloch stays need a car or a pre-booked transfer; allow about 45 minutes from Queenstown
Alternative accommodations
Beyond traditional hotels, consider these options.
Guesthouses
Family-run guesthouses offer authentic local experiences and often include home-cooked meals. Great for cultural immersion.
Serviced apartments
Ideal for longer stays or families. Kitchen facilities help save money and provide flexibility.
Hostels
Budget-friendly option for solo travelers. Dorms and private rooms available with social common areas.