Glebe Apartments

This is a modern property with self-contained apartments in four-story beige buildings. A large concrete courtyard in the center of the grounds is decorated with cheerful garden boxes. There are picnic tables with umbrellas and a large grill for barbecues -- a sign requests that guests not wear stilettos, likely to keep the noise down as there are surrounding apartments. The overall feel is of being in an apartment complex, as there's a friendly reception area for check-in, but otherwise guests access their apartments from the parking lot entrance. The reception area extends into a comfortable lounge with a good amount of space, where a pair of couches surround a fireplace and flat-screen TV. A DVD library and guest computer are here as well. Large windows offer views of the woodsy surroundings. Interior hallways are somewhat bland but clean, with framed black-and-white photographs decorating white walls. The clientele is a mix of families, groups, and couples, as there are a range of apartment sizes. 

The Glebe Apartments are conveniently located for tourists, about five minutes' walk from the center of town and on the main road leading toward the airport (a 10-minute drive away). The hotel's entrance is on a steep side street -- this can be an issue for mobility-challenged guests. Restaurants, bars, shops, and businesses are located about five minutes' walk down the hill -- with views of the water and mountains along the way. Queenstown Gardens, set on Lake Wakatipu, is a 10- to 15-minute walk from the property. This region is popular among hikers, cyclists, golfers, and river- and lake-enthusiasts between November and April. From June through early October, skiers and snowboarders flock here for the two downhill fields and helisking. The Coronet Peak Ski Area is about 25 minutes' drive from the property. The Remarkables Ski Area is a 35-minute drive. Auckland is a two- to three-hour flight, Christchurch is an hour flight, and Sydney is three hours' flight. 

Apartments come in a range of sizes, though some are enormous -- multi-story penthouses are the largest by floorspace in Queenstown, and studios and apartments with one to four bedrooms are available. Each unit is individually owned, and decor differs from one to the next. The units we saw had a simple and classic look, with neutral or blue-gray carpeting and walls, wooden bedside tables, and white bedding with solid color bed runners and throw pillows. Living rooms are spacious and have sofas, coffee tables, flat-screen TVs with Sky TV, iPod docks, and stereos. Wi-Fi is free, but with limits on use. Studios and one-bedroom apartments feature kitchenettes, while others have full kitchens with modern stainless steel appliances. Dining tables and kitchen islands offer plenty of space for family meals. Beds can be configured as twins or pushed together and joined with a top layer to make king beds. Bathrooms are plain but clean and modern, with white tile, showers with glass doors, and basic toiletries and towels provided. Penthouses have full jetted tubs and separate showers, plus dual vanities. Only longer-term guests receive housekeeping and other services. Services can be requested for a fee during short-term stays. Most apartments have their own laundry facilities. Guests advise paying extra for units with views of the mountains and lake. Some units are a bit dark and past guests have complained about noise between units. 

The Glebe Apartments offers a small range of sports oriented features, but lacks a restaurant, swimming pool, and breakfast service. There's a ski-drying room for the winter season that converts to a mountain bike storage space with bike-cleaning facilities in the summer. There's a small fitness room with a flat-screen TV, but only an old treadmill, stationary bike, weight bench, and yoga mats for equipment. A small sauna is available as well. A closet filled with games and toys is provided for kids and families to borrow, and there's a free DVD library in the common lounge. Reception staff can provide recommendations and bookings for activities, tours, massages, private chefs, babysitting, and more. Covered parking is free on-site. Wi-Fi is free, though with some usage limits.