After an adrenaline rush of bungy jumping, a day cycling around the Gibbtson vineyards, a craft beer in hand watching the red-hued sunset from Perky’s Boat, it’s time to relax for a night at one of these Boutique and Unique Queenstown Hotels. Each is handpicked for its location, bijoux size, bespoke experience and welcoming ambiance. So, scroll down to discover the best of them in Queenstown!
Location: Queenstown | South Island | New Zealand
Accommodation Type: Boutique and Spa | Heritage
1. Chalet Queenstown
Best for: 4-Star Lodge, Affordable and Lovely Inn, Hot Breakfast, Shared Lounges, Lake Views. Dublin Street
If a small inn ringed by a fringe of wondrous mountains is your kind of holiday stay, Chalet Queenstown is the right place for you. With only seven guest rooms this Chalet is a friendly and affordable stay in the heart of Queenstown. They’re also rated very highly for their superb hot breakfast. This gorgeous Chalet is just a 5-minute walk from the centre of town and a 10-minute drive from Queenstown International Airport.
The incredible views of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown Hill (Te Tapu-nui) and The Remarkables pop up from all sides of the hotel. It’s such a wonderful spot to spend a leisurely weekend in modern and stylish rooms and a private balcony to marvel at those spectacular lake and mountain views.
Each spotless room is updated with a stylish en-suite, super-king or twin beds, TV, and feather duvets for snowy nights. After a day of magical skiing on the mountains, a BBQ dinner on the sun deck is a popular evening activity here.
What’s nearby? In winter book a Heli-ski trip at The Remarkables and Coronet Peak. Ride a Segway through Queenstown Gardens and along the shoreline of Lake Wakatipu. Kawarau Bridge Bungy is just a 20 minutes drive from this unique Queenstown Hotel.
Good to Know:
- King and Twin rooms available for two guests and Family Rooms available for five guests
- Free Wi-Fi in all areas
- Continental- style buffet or freshly cooked breakfasts are provided in the breakfast room or on the garden patio in warmer climates
- Outdoor picnic areas and sun terraces
- Shared lounges
- Indoor play area for kids
- Check prices and availability at Chalet Queenstown
2. The Dairy Private Hotel by Naumi Hotels, Queenstown
Best for: 4.5-Star Hotel, Eclectic Design, Happy Hour Drinks at 5, Outdoor Spa Pool, Library. Brecon Street
If your kind of a dream weekend spot is historic with a modern twist then, The Dairy Private Hotel by Naumi Hotels is the perfect place for you. You’ll find this is one of the more unique Queenstown hotels with cool interiors. This intimate and friendly hotel is just a 2-minute walk from the centre of town, gorgeous restaurants, bars and cafes and the Skyline Gondola.
Standing here since the 1920s, originally as a dairy aka corner store, this cleverly renovated and creatively designed hotel is a great base to explore Queenstown. This is one of the best Boutique and Unique Queenstown Hotels for couples and friends. Each room is a work of art with luxury wallpaper on the ceilings and walls, and a riotous combo of stripes, flowers, and eclectic art and interiors.
Don’t miss happy hour drinks in the lounge where you can meet other guests and share travel stories. The outdoor spa bath is also a must-do after a day of adventuring, or maybe boutique shopping, as you sit back in the warm water and just contemplate.
What’s nearby? The Skyline Gondola and Luge is only 50m from here which is ideal for breathtaking views, adventure plus fun. The crown jewel of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, is also close and a good spot for boat cruising. How about a lunch cruise on the historic steamer, TSS Earnslaw with a BBQ buffet lunch at Walter Peak High Country Farm.
Good to know:
- Suites and Rooms for up to 3 guests, Apartment for 8 guests
- Wi-Fi in all areas
- Freshly prepared breakfasts served in rooms or dining areas
- Outdoor fireplace with furniture
- Air-conditioned
- Snack bar with cookies and chocolates
- Full body massages available
- Open-air hot spa pool
- Check prices and availability at The Dairy Private Hotel by Naumi Hotels, Queenstown
3. Browns Boutique Hotel
Best for: 4.5-Star Bed and Breakfast, Luxury European-Style Hotel, Juliet Balcony. Isle Street
10 spacious rooms are on offer at this charming boutique hotel in the heart of Queenstown. You’ll love your suite’s French doors that lead out to your Juliet balcony with beautiful views over the dramatic alpine scenery and the town’s beauty, Lake Wakatipu, an amazing sight in any season.
The ambiance of Browns Boutique Hotel is relaxed and friendly with a guest lounge, cosy fireplace and an outdoor patio where you can enjoy your breakfast in the sun. The suites are furnished with soft-toned interiors, tiled en-suite, and luxury toiletries. The rooms are configured as king-size, twin-size, triple and a lovely honey moon suite. Central heating in each spacious room makes it comfier during the cooler months.
What’s nearby: A 20-minute drive will take you to the Shotover River, which is a great place for white water rafting, canoeing and jet-boating.
Good to know at this Unique Queenstown Hotel:
- Free fabulous gourmet breakfasts
- High-speed free Wi-Fi
- DVD library
- Linens, closets and towels are included
- Entertainments with books and music for kids
- Outdoor picnic area and a fireplace with outdoor furniture
- Sun deck and comfortable viewpoint options
- Check prices and availability at Browns Boutique Hotel
4. Eichardt’s Private Hotel
Best for: 5-Star Luxury Hotel, Premium Lakefront, Spa Treatments, Penthouse, Romantic
This is a special occasion hotel and wellness escape on Queenstown’s stunning lakefront. Eichardt’s Private Hotel is a gorgeous romantic retreat; perfect for weddings, honeymoons, and anniversaries.
Choose from charming suites with mountain or lake views, but the ‘pièce de résistance’ is the amazing prestigious penthouse with a hot tub on a huge deck with killer views. This is the one to book!
One and two-bedroom apartments are also available a short walk from the hotel and concierge services are available to all the accommodation options. The luxurious and stunning accommodation features marble bathrooms, spa baths, high end entertainment and lighting, designer linen, Molton Brown products, deluxe minibars and so much more!
Sip cocktails at the hotel’s contemporary bar and enjoy a meal at Eichardt’s Grill, one of Queenstown’s premier dining destinations, open for breakfast and dinner.
What’s nearby: It’s just a 18-minute ride to Jack’s Point Golf Course, 8-minutes to the Frankton Golf Centre and 20-minutes to The Coronet Peak Ski Fields.
Good to know:
- Free Wi-Fi everywhere
- Room service is available
- Breakfast is included
- Outdoor fireplace with furniture
- In-house spa treatments and gym access is available
- Mountain bikes available
- Organic juice bar available
- Check prices and availability at Eichardt’s Private Hotel
5. Hulbert House Luxury Boutique Lodge
Best for: 5-Star Heritage Hotel, Luxury Victorian Villa, Peaceful, Gourmet Breakfast, Canapes and Drinks Each Evening, Ballarat Street
Award-winning Hulbert House is one of Queenstown’s original grand homes dating back to 1888. This luxury boutique hotel stands proudly on a hill overlooking Queenstown and is only a five minute walk to the centre. This Victorian Villa has been beautifully restored to an elegant six suite hotel with heritage interiors and contemporary facilities.
Choose from the Grand Room and Premium Rooms, each named after historical moments in Hulbert Houses past. For example, Archerfield Room is named for the time between 1942 and 1945 when the house was leased by Archerfield Girls School of Dunedin as a safe place for the girls during the second world war.
Each of the rooms is lavishly decorated and furnished in historic style, with views of either Lake Wakatipu, Skyline Hill or the hotel’s beautiful garden. The Grand Room has the best views and is furnished in purple, royal blue and gold interiors. You’ll appreciate the turn down service each evening and a night on your soft feather-like warm bed is sure to detox your body and mind.
What’s nearby: You can easily access the Shotover Canyon Swing from here. There are plenty of cycling tracks, Queenstown Bike Park and hikes in the area, e.g. Queenstown Hill Walking Track and the Queenstown Trail – hiking and biking track between Queenstown, Arrowtown and Gibbston. Here’s the Department of Conservation link to walks in the area.
Good to know at this Boutique Queenstown Hotel:
- Refreshments available during the day and canapes and wine every evening before dinner
- Free Wi-Fi in all areas
- Sun deck and a terrace as viewpoints with relaxing areas
- Outdoor furniture and picnic area
- Air-conditioned
- Linens, Egyptian cotton towels and bathrobes included
- Full gourmet breakfast with sourdough bread, raspberry, chia seed pots, eggs and bacon
- Snack bars and shared lounges
- Check prices and availability at Hulbert House Boutique Lodge
A stay at these Boutique and Unique Queenstown Hotels will provide you with peaceful tranquility and luxurious comfort in the heart of this adventurous city. Each luxurious hotel is near restaurants, cafes, bars, and the sights of Queenstown. They’re the perfect base for you to try bungy jumping, skiing, hiking, white water rafting, cruising, mountain biking and so much more in this glorious landscape.
The online ratings for these places are exceptional, both on TripAdvisor and Booking.com. We can see why people keep coming back to these boutique hotels in Queenstown.
See also: Best Glamping in Queenstown that will Inspire You and Best Glamping in Wanaka and Lake Hawea for A Fun Nature Experience