Best Value Hotels in Queenstown

Couples of all ages, including skiers, are drawn to The Dairy Private Hotel, a cozy farmhouse-style boutique hotel a short walk to downtown Queensland. All 13 of the rooms have mountain or lake views, as well as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, coffee- and tea-making facilities, safes, and free cookies. The spacious bathrooms feature heated towel racks, robes, slippers, and Molton Brown toiletries. There are also self-catering apartments with fully equipped kitchens, four bedrooms, and two baths. Guests receive a free welcome glass of Champagne upon arrival in the lounge, which has a fireplace, computer station, and honesty bar. A free breakfast buffet includes cooked-to-order foods, pitchers of fresh juices, homemade porridge, baked goods, fruit, and yogurt. There are two terraces, one with a fireplace and one with a hot tub. Other features include a drying room for ski equipment, mountain bikes to borrow, and free luggage storage.

The Pounamu Apartments are modern and stylish self-catering units located a 15-minute walk from downtown Queenstown. It's not as charming or as conveniently located as The Dairy Private Hotel, but it is kid-friendly (The Dairy Private Hotel doesn't allow children under 12) and all of units are apartments, instead of just some. Apartments range from studios with kitchenettes to two-bedrooms with lake or mountain views, full kitchens, and washer/dryers. Bathrooms are simple and good-looking, with deep soaking tubs (in larger rooms), Koha Spa toiletries, robes, and slippers. Cleaning is provided for a fee. Amenities include a children's playground, a hot tub for four that must be reserved, and a grill that's available for a fee. Bikes, skis (and ski clothing), and cars are available to rent. Pounamu doesn't serve free breakfast, like The Dairy Private Hotel, but it does offer free passes to a downtown gym (The Dairy Private Hotel does not, nor does it have a fitness center).

A five-minute drive from the airport, this good-value DoubleTree overlooks the Remarkable Mountains and Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown. The hotel offers free shuttles to the airport (Pounamu charges for airport transfers) and downtown Queensland, but seats fill up fast. Its 98 rooms, all with mountain or water views, include sleek kitchenettes; upgraded rooms have fireplaces and balconies. There's in-room Wi-Fi, but it costs extra and guests say it is slow (Wi-Fi is free throughout The Dairy Private Hotel, including the rooms). DoubleTree features amenities not found at our first two picks: four (pricey) restaurants, a small fitness center, and a 10-seat screening are all on hand. 

Queenstown Motel Apartments is a budget apartment-style hotel with 22 rooms one block from Lake Wakatipu. Most of these are Studio units with pleasantly modern decor and kitchenettes, but they do lack stoves and ovens and only have small fridges. Many rooms feature lovely views of Lake Wakatipu. Amenities are limited to free Wi-Fi and parking, plus a coin-operated laundry room. Kids under the age of 14 aren't allowed here, so families are better off at Pounamu Apartments, where all units have kitchen facilities equipped with ovens, cooktops, refrigerators, microwaves, and electric kettles or coffeemakers. 

Located in the heart of town, Nomads Queenstown Backpackers is a swanky take on the typical youth hostel, with 80 rooms ranging from simple dorms for four to 12 guests plus en-suite private rooms on the top floor, each with a flat-screen TV and an electric kettle. Amenities include a free basic breakfast, a large communal kitchen with gas stoves, and a huge lounge area with foosball and billiards. There are also internet kiosks in the bright lobby that guests can use for a fee, and Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, though this also costs extra. While it's a great hostel option, budget travelers looking for private rooms should be happier at nearby Queenstown Motel Apartments, where Wi-Fi is free throughout.