Queenstown

Luxury getaways in Queenstown for an idyllic stay in nature

New Zealand’s adventure playground is the perfect year-round escape, whether you’re looking to race down the slopes or hike through mountainous trails.

From alpine resorts to boutique hotels, top-end Queenstown accommodation is all about comfort – think roaring fireplaces, gourmet meals based on locally sourced produce and spa experiences to soothe aching muscles.

Of course, let’s not forget the idyllic, panoramic views of lakes, mountains and rivers. What better way to appreciate them than through wall-to-ceiling windows, from private outdoor terraces or open-air hot tubs and swimming pools?

Visits to this region let you choose your own adventure by day – from high-adrenaline sports to winery tours – then return to recharge in luxury in one of these top hotels in Queenstown.

Lakeside luxury in Kawarau Village

On the northern shores of Lake Wakatipu, Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa is a 15-minute drive from downtown Queenstown. Trapping sunshine during the day, you can unwind on the outdoor terrace and watch the light bounce across the water. By night, the lakeside lounge Pinot Pit has a roaring fire pit ideal for snuggling up with a glass of wine from a cellar containing 1,000 bottles.

If you’re after a bit more privacy, you can head back to your room with its own balcony and lounge area with a gas fireplace. For the ultimate lakeside experience, book a Relaxation Room to soak in an outdoor hot tub under the stars. That’s if you’re not indulging in an organic treatment in spa – there’s private hot tub there, too, plus a balcony overlooking the mountains.

Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa

Top rated
Queenstown
8.7 Excellent (5869 reviews)

An elegant stay in Queenstown for couples

The highest altitude hotel in Queenstown, Kamana Lakehouse invites you to try living in paradise by “keeping it real, slowing down and stopping to talk to strangers”. Located a quick skip from central Queenstown, the MO here is to interact with fellow guests – an agenda helped by communal lounge areas, wraparound decks and a 140-sqm shorefront sun terrace.

Natural woods and stone, plus floor-to-ceiling glass features, bring the feeling of panoramic Lake Wakatipu views indoors. Explore the area yourself on foot or by bike, taking the Fernhill walking track through native bushlands to downtown Queenstown. In winter, the onsite ski locker has boot heaters and mulled wine to greet you after a day on the slopes. Just make it back in time for Aperitivo Hour every evening at Nest, where you can sample a selection of craft cocktails and sink into a velvet lounge in front of the crackling fireplace.

Kamana Lakehouse

Top rated
Queenstown
9.3 Excellent (623 reviews)

Luxury ski resort-style accommodation in Queenstown

Reminiscent of a European alpine retreat, Heritage Queenstown is just a 25-minute walk to the centre of town but has that secluded haven feeling. Constructed using centuries-old schist stone and cedar, the building houses 175 rooms laid in a semi-circle so that everyone is treated to breathtaking views. You can admire the vistas from the onsite restaurant’s alfresco balcony in summer months, too, or warm-up fireside in winter to feast on sous vide venison with smoked plum sauce or confit duck cassoulet.

After a sumptuous breakfast in-room or at the restaurant, hire a bike from reception to explore the area. Or, head into town and stock up on ingredients to prepare a delicious evening meal in one of the suite’s kitchens. The heated swimming pool and hot tub are ideal for soothing tired muscles after a day’s skiing, or for a romantic moment beneath the clear mountain skies. There’s also a cedar sauna and fully equipped gym if you’re looking to keep on track with your exercise regime.

Heritage Queenstown

Top rated
Queenstown
8.9 Excellent (2308 reviews)

Nature-laden five-star hotel in Queenstown

Peppers Beacon offers the best of both worlds, with a majestic lake and mountain backdrop while still being a stone’s throw from the centre of town. You can try your hand at catching a Rainbow Trout in the lake, or take a gondola up the Ben Lomond for nature walks and bike tours. Fitness fans can head to the gym, furnished with a range of modern workout equipment, before winding down in the adjoining sauna.

Before leaving for the day, fill up at The Galley’s breakfast buffet brimming with fresh fruit, baked goods and cooked favourites. In town, you’ll find more than 100 cafés and restaurants that showcase New Zealand’s finest produce alongside international cuisine. If you fancy a night in, fire up the hotel’s communal BBQ and dine at picnic tables scattered around a manicured courtyard overlooking the lake.

Peppers Beacon

Top rated
Queenstown
8.5 Excellent (4258 reviews)

Luxury boutique hotel by the Shotover River

Located in Arthurs Point, a 10-minute drive from central Queenstown, Hotel Nugget Point Queenstown is the closest hotel to Coronet Peak Ski Area. From here you can take the Shotover Jet through the river’s canyons, or hike along the waterside on the Morningstar Track to Edith Cavell Bridge. Ease sore muscles afterwards with a signature Nugget Point Massage using sweet almond oil, or a targeted Après Ski massage using menthol balm.

The hotel itself is positioned high above the Shotover River – that lofty perch is rewarded with sweeping views of the fast-flowing water and surrounding mountain ranges. Choose a comfortable armchair in front of floor-to-ceiling windows in the hotel lounge, or book a private open-air hot tub and sip on a glass of bubbles while the sun sinks behind distant peaks.

River View Rooms come with your own patio complete with rattan outdoor furniture, so you have your morning coffee with a side of birdsong. Upgrading to an Executive River View Suite means you’ll have the choice of your own outdoor Jacuzzi, an indoor spa bath and a two-person lovers’ shower. The romance continues at the onsite restaurant, where you can share a regional tasting platter featuring hot smoked salmon, wild venison and local cheese, or go all out with melt-in-your-mouth turmeric and coconut curry from the islands.

Hotel Nugget Point Queenstown

Queenstown
8.4 Very good (875 reviews)

Old-world opulence in the heart of Queenstown

1/4

With some prime real estate in central Queenstown, Eichardt’s Private Hotel lives in an iconic building that dates back to 1859. An expansion into the adjacent stables created a striking mix of modernity and tradition. You can drink in sweeping vistas of Lake Wakatipu from your suite or apartment, all furnished with fireplaces and soaking tubs. Or, upgrade to the Penthouse for one of the grandest views in town from Queenstown’s largest private terrace, where you’ll get a spa pool, fireplace and outdoor kitchen all to yourself.

Signature hotel experiences are a treat just by themselves. Sip champagne from a superyacht with a cruise on the gleaming Pacific Jemm, or take to the skies in a private helicopter – you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of the top fishing spots where you can try your hand at catching crayfish later. On your return to solid ground, nab a leather booth or window seat at the hotel’s lake-view bistro to try dishes like seafood chowder or a Wakanui Blue sirloin with roasted garlic aioli. After your meal, settle in front of the fireplace for an aperitif, like a legendary Eichardt’s Mule or glass of Bollinger.

Eichardt's Private Hotel

Top rated
Queenstown
9.4 Excellent (154 reviews)