Heritage Queenstown

With its rustic stone facade, beamed wood ceilings, and fireplaces, the Heritage Queensland has a quiet rustic glamour that draws couples on romantic trips and families on ski vacations. Set high on a hill in a remote spot, its best aspect are its picturesque views of the Ben Lomond Mountains and Lake Wakatipu. This alpine-style, rambling property has a stucco and stone facade and park-like grounds with benches, brick paths, pergolas, and gardens. Its lobby has traditional furniture, including in its rustic pub and library. Mackenzie's Restaurant, a large, upscale, lodge-type dining room with an open kitchen, is quite popular. Another gathering spot is the bar around the indoor and outdoor heated pool with its mesh loungers and lovely views. The spa and fitness center are serviceable but score no style points. The conference room has high ceilings and bold views of the outdoors, making it a site praised by business travelers. 

The Heritage Queenstown Hotel is located in a quiet, natural setting, close to the road, and about 5 minutes by car to central Queenstown. A bus stops in front of the hotel about every 25 minutes, but a car is almost a necessity to explore. The Skyline Queenstown Gondola is a five-minute drive or 22-minutes on public transportation. The Ben Lomond Scenic Preserve is a seven-minute drive. Jacks Point Golf Course is 23 minutes by car. Coronet Peak Ski Mountain is a 25-minute drive. Kelvin Heights Golf Course is a 26-minute drive. The Remarkable Ski Fields is 40 minutes by car. It's a 45-minute drive to white water rafting at Skipper's Canyon and a 16-minute drive to Queensland Airport. Parking is free at the hotel in an underground parking garage. 

All rooms at the Heritage Queenstown have balconies and stunning views of the mountains or lake from big windows with sheers and silk drapes. The rooms are airy and open-plan style, and range from a classic double to family size. One popular option for skiers are the two-bedroom suites which include kitchenettes and washers and dryers. The most expensive rooms have fireplaces. Furnishings are made of dark wood veneer, and some guests say the rooms look dated and report some wear and tear. There are sofas and sofa beds, often in pops of color, like orange, in otherwise neutral brown palettes. Each room has a flat-screen TV, a minibar, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and a safe. Bedrooms have clock radios, irons, ironing boards, and plush terrycloth robes. The bathrooms are roomy with white, square tiles; some have a window. Bowl sink basins are partially imbedded into granite countertops. Some rooms have tub/shower combinations but others have soaking tubs and all-glass stall showers. The toiletries are by Manuka Spa.

Features at Heritage Queenstown are geared toward relaxation and convenience. The heated pool, which crosses from indoor to outdoor, offers a good place to unwind after a day of skiing or hiking. There's also a small fitness center with cardio machines and free weights that overlooks the pool, but it's a low-key, bland space. The hotel has a spa with a sauna and various treatment rooms. There's also a hot tub nestled on the park-like grounds. The hotel has a room designated as a library and there are free newspapers in the lobby. Dining options include a rustic, alpine-style pub with a fireplace -- and some tables with chessboards -- and a formal restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, resembling the dining room of an old British country house. The menu, including one for children, focuses on local ingredients. There's a coin-operated laundry on-site along with laundry and dry cleaning services. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and there's a business center with computer, fax, and copy machines. One draw for business travelers is the airy conference room with stunning views and smaller meeting rooms with audiovisual equipment. The property has a concierge, bell hop, luggage storage, ski storage, and a currency exchange. Airport transfers are available for a fee as are babysitting services.