Not sure where to stay in Queenstown?
If itโs your first time visiting, deciding where to stay in Queenstown can feel overwhelming. Each area of Queenstown offers a different experience and its own unique charm, so the best place to stay depends on how you’d like to spend your holiday. Here’s our local guide to the different areas that will best suit your trip.
Central Queenstown is best for walkability, dining and nightlife; Queenstown Hill and Fernhill suit guests who want lake views close to town; Arthurโs Point is ideal for Coronet Peak access; Lower Shotover and Jackโs Point work well for families and skiers; Arrowtown offers charm, food and golf; while rural areas such as Lake Hayes and Dalefield are best for space, privacy and a slower pace.
Staying in a holiday home gives you the flexibility to self-cater – whether thatโs cooking for yourself, hosting a relaxed dinner, or elevating your stay with a private chef or gourmet meal delivery organised by our team. Of course, a few evenings out in Queenstownโs lively dining scene are the perfect way to round out the experience.
If youโre searching for a beautiful holiday home in or around Queenstown but want some local insight on the best areas to stay, this guide will walk you through the key locations to help you find the perfect fit for your trip.
Queenstown is a pretty unique destination – there are world class restaurants, bars, cafes and shops in what is essentially a very small town. For many first time visitors, the preference is to stay right in the town centre, amongst the hustle and bustle, and if you are planning to visit without a rental car, this can often be the easiest option. You will pay a premium for location, with central homes being slightly above average in cost, but you will have the convenience of being able to walk everywhere, and most activities have a town centre pick up point.
With the central location, expect the property to be either part of a complex, or semi-detached at least, so you will need to be conscious of your neighbours. On the plus side, you’re surrounded by places to go out, whether that’s drinks overlooking the lake or dinner at Essence, the only Two-Michelin star restaurant in New Zealand.
Town can be busy during peak times, but this gives a bustling atmosphere which is exciting to be a part of. Just keep this in mind if you are travelling during these peak times, you will need to book early to avoid disappointment.
Perfect for: First timers to Queenstown, those who like to dine out every night, those without a rental car
Central Queenstown Homes:
11 Earl Queenstown – Sleeps 4 | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
Lakeside on Park Street – Sleeps 6 | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Bathrooms
Kakara Moana – Sleeps 8 | 4 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms
Very close to central Queenstown, and elevated for great views, Queenstown Hill homes are popular for their convenient location to town. For the active amongst us, it is possible to walk to/from the town centre, although the uphill location can put some people off! High on the hill, you’ll enjoy postcard views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, and you’ll be positioned in an easy location to head out of town towards Frankton, Arrowtown and the rest of the region. This area is really just an extension of the town centre, but you may find the prices more favourable. The houses tend to be a little more densely packed as expected in central locations. You can take advantage of this fact if you are travelling with another family, and pick two houses side by side or very close by.
Perfect for: Those wanting to be very close to town, lake-view lovers
Queenstown Hill Homes:
Fernlea – Sleeps 8 | 4 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
Karamata – Sleeps 6 | 3 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms
38 Edinburgh – Sleeps 12 | 6 Bedrooms, 5 Bathrooms
So close to the town centre, you could almost call homes in Fernhill central Queenstown – 5 minutes’ drive will have you smack bang in the centre of town, and with regular buses running constantly, and walking link trails, it’s easy enough to stay in Fernhill without a car (although, the clue is in the name – it can mean an uphill slog or most opt for a taxi ride to get home uphill from townโฆ) Fernhill offers the million-dollar-views of Lake Wakatipu and the mountains from its elevated position, so if you’re looking for those Instagram shots, look no further, and the homes tend to be a little larger, so there are some great options for large groups and families. There is one restaurant, one take away and a couple of hotel restaurant/bars, but with the town centre so close, this really isn’t a problem and shouldn’t deter you.
Perfect for: Families, those seeking something close to town, people prioritising scenic views
Fernhill Homes:
Bellbrae – Sleeps 10 | 5 Bedrooms, 5 Bathrooms
Matakauri House – Sleeps 8 | 4 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms
Aspen Ridge – Sleeps 8 | 4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms
Arrowtown is a strong option for guests seeking a quieter, charming base with great restaurants, character-filled drinking holes, artisan shops and a fantastic boutique cinema along the main high street, and if you enjoy getting outside, you’ll find some lovely walking and cycling trails here. In Autumn, the town bursts into colour with the turning of the leaves, and the annual autumn festival brings some lovely local events which are worth checking out if it falls over your stay. You’ll find some vineyard cellar doors just a very short drive away from Arrowtown, and a few very popular golf courses in the vicinity.
Perfect for: Hikers, bikers, golfers, romantics, foodies, historic buffs and outdoor enthusiasts.
Homes in Arrowtown:
Aroha Homestead – Sleeps 12 | 6 Bedrooms, 5 Bathrooms
Villa Francesca – Sleeps 10 | 5 Bedrooms, 4.5 Bathrooms
Terrace Lodge – Sleeps 8 | 4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms
Close enough to town to be ultra-convenient, but far enough away to feel like you are touching on rural Queenstown – Arthurs Point is a great choice for those who still plan to visit the town centre throughout their stay and offers easy access to Coronet Peak ski field, so many winter guests enjoy being out this way for easy access to the mountain. You’ll also find the popular Onsen Hot Pools and Shotover Jet at Arthurs Point, as well as a couple of restaurants – although with such easy access to town from here, you may prefer to simply head to the town centre for a wider selection of dining options. Arthurs Point also has easy access to Arrowtown via the scenic Malaghans Road, which takes you through rural Queenstown.
Perfect for: Keen skiers, those seeking a peaceful retreat very close to town, families
Homes in Arthurs Point:
Riverview Retreat – Sleeps 12 | 6 Bedrooms, 3.5 Bathrooms
The Lower Shotover area makes the best of most worlds, with a very peaceful location which means easy access to pretty much anywhere! With Frankton on its doorstep, guests in this area can take advantage of the shops, cafes and restaurants at Five Mile, which is growing day by day.
Here to ski? Positioned midway between Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, it’s great for anyone who likes to decide on the day which ski field to visit. You’ll also find yourself pretty much midway between Queenstown and Arrowtown, and a well maintained cycling route means you can skip the traffic and cycle in either direction if you’re feeling zesty – we find guests staying in Lower Shotover love having e-bikes delivered to their door for a day or two exploring the trails. If biking is not your thing, you can still enjoy the riverside trails and beautiful scenery by foot.
Perfect for: Families, skiers, hikers, bikers, golfers
Lower Shotover Homes:
Rangiฤtea – Sleeps 12 | 5 Bedrooms, 4.5 Bathrooms
Three Peaks – Sleeps 8 | 4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms
Pinnacle Villa – Sleeps 8 | 4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms
Having gained attention in the past few years, and undergone a huge transformation, this an up-and-coming location you should keep in mind.
Located at the base of The Remarkables mountain range, their beauty towers tall next to you. Modern, warm homes with plenty of light and fantastic styling are a prominent feature in Jack’s Point. Although primarily residential, the Jack’s Point area is quiet and relaxing with a championship 18-hole golf course, clubhouse and easy access to lakeside walking and cycling trails. Just a 5-10 minute drive away is Frankton; offering shops, restaurants, activities and much more and you’re a 20 minute drive to Central Queenstown too. If you’re visiting for the snow, The Remarkables ski field access road is very close by and travelling from this direction sees you skip most of the traffic too!
Perfect for: Families, bikers, golfers, skiers
Jack’s Point Homes:
Jack’s Point Rise – Sleeps 10 | 5 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms
Remarkable Vista – Sleeps 10 | 5 Bedrooms, 3.5 Bathrooms
Oh, the great outdoors and fresh mountain air – breathe it in!
The rural Queenstown region (including Lake Hayes and Dalefield) offers large homes with spacious grounds, so you will enjoy privacy and open space in this area. You will need either a rental car, or a private driver for your time here, but having easy access via road to most of the Queenstown best bits makes it a no brainer when you choose where to stay. This area feels like a total escape – it will be hard to believe the bustling streets of downtown Queenstown are just 20 minutes away. Most homes are not too far from the Queenstown Trail cycling trail which links town and Arrowtown, so many guests enjoy a nice day trip on e-bikes from homes in this area to visit vineyards or simply explore the local area. For the passionate foodies, there’s even the nearby Amisfield restaurant and cellar door which was recently awarded a Michelin star.
Perfect for: Large groups, multi generational families, those who like privacy, outdoors enthusiasts, nature lovers, those seeking tranquility
Homes in Rural Queenstown:
Noa by the Lake – Sleeps 14 | 7 Bedrooms, 5 Bathrooms
Wharenui – Sleeps 14 | 7 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms
Bloxham House – Sleeps 8 | 4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms
The Paddock – Sleeps 8 | 4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms
You can view our full range of accommodation in Queenstown here. If youโd like to chat to our team of luxury accommodation experts about the most suitable area of Queenstown for your next holiday, get in touch! Use our inside knowledge to help you choose where to stay, based on what you envision for your getaway.
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