Lakeside penthouse suites and alpine retreats: 11 top luxury hotels in Queenstown

Rosewood Matakauri

Nature takes centre stage at Rosewood Matakauri. Just a seven-minute drive from the heart of Queenstown, this five-star lakeside boutique retreat offers serene seclusion paired with impeccable service. Each of the 16 suites features a private balcony or patio, deep soaking bathtub, and refined, light-filled interiors designed by Virginia Fisher. The property’s private jetty provides a direct gateway to thrilling outdoor adventure. It’s little wonder this hideaway is considered one of New Zealand’s finest retreats.

Reasons to stay:

• Complimentary full breakfast served daily
• Boutique spa with outdoor pool, infinity hot tub, massage, facials, and sauna
• Unobstructed views of Lake Wakatipu

Address: 569 Glenorchy-Queenstown Road, Closeburn 9371, New Zealand

The Carlin Boutique Hotel

One of the few hotels in New Zealand to bill itself as six-star luxury, The Carlin Boutique Hotel overlooks Lake Wakatipu and is considered the crème de la crème of private lakeside living. From the generously sized suites with elegant European furnishings to outdoor terraces complete with hot tubs and fireplaces, this designer property is revered for its exquisite attention to detail. The Royal Suite even spans multiple floors and boasts a baby grand piano. Expect a tailored experience that feels intentionally personal and beautifully secluded.

Reasons to stay:

• Personalised butler service
• Bespoke in-room wine service and tastings
• On-site wellness retreat with in-suite massages

Address: 43 Hallenstein Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

Eichardt’s Private Hotel

Perched on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, Eichardt’s Private Hotel is a distinguished heritage property dating back to 1866. Originally a humble woolshed built by Queenstown’s founder, William Gilbert Rees, it has since evolved into a long-standing hotel revered for its sophisticated blend of history, creativity, and modern luxury. An homage to Queenstown’s gold rush past, this 160-year-old landmark offers all of the refined touches of a five-star stay, with a lavish dose of character and charm.

Reasons to stay:

• A short stroll from the town’s centre
• Uninterrupted views of Wakatipu and the Remarkables
• Firelit Eichardt’s Bar downstairs is a lively, favourite among both locals and guests

Address: 2 Marine Parade, Queenstown 9348, New Zealand

The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments

Queenstown is brimming with exhilarating outdoor experiences, but few rival the thrill of a teeth-chattering cold plunge into the glassy waters of Lake Wakatipu. For those brave enough, The Rees Hotel offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with its private beach and wharf. But, if a dip doesn’t float your boat, don’t worry – it’s far from the only standout. Flooded with natural light, this luxury hotel is home an award-winning fine-dining restaurant and a spectacular wine lounge that heroes both international and local drops, with a focus on Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Central Otago classics.

Reasons to stay:

• Private beach and wharf
•  In-suite therapeutic spa treatments
• Private tours and airport transfers available  

Address: 377 Frankton Road, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

The Spire Hotel

Dedicated to showcasing the evolution of art in the city – alongside a curated collection of Māori and Pacific Islander works – The Spire Hotel seamlessly blends boutique luxury with the thoughtful curation of a contemporary art gallery. Designed for discerning travellers with a passion for art and design, its public spaces have been transformed into stone-clad exhibition spaces that spark intrigue at every turn. Tucked away in the heart of Queenstown, it’s just moments from the city’s vibrant cultural scene, acclaimed dining, chic boutiques, and alpine adventures.

Reasons to stay:

• Positioned in the heart of Queenstown
• Moments from unforgettable alpine adventures, from heli rafting to glacier tours
• An inspiring in-house collection of local artwork 

Address: 3/5 Church Lane, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa

If you love the charm of Queenstown’s alpine adventure but crave seclusion with an epicurean edge, this spacious, design-led lodge offers an idyllic stay. Set within one of Central Otago’s oldest founding vineyards and framed by the region’s rugged schist mountains, the property is devoted to gastronomical excellence – home to not one but two acclaimed restaurants and bars on site. Savour some of Central Otago’s finest (and oldest) wines, and refuel with traditional wood-fired pizzas after a day of immersive exploration.

Reasons to stay:

• Gibbston Valley Winery cellar door, cheesery and deli are open daily
• Explore the stunning Gibbston wine region by trail or e-bike
• Just a 15-minute drive from Queenstown’s famous onsen hot pools 

Address: 1820 State Highway 6, Gibbston 9371, New Zealand

QT Queenstown

The saying ‘seen one, seen them all’ couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to QT – and the Queenstown outpost is arguably the crown jewel of the collection. Brimming with QT’s signature boldness and creative flair, this design-driven hotel sits proudly on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, serving up a stylish dose of après-ski sophistication. Most suites offer Juliette balconies offering unobstructed lake or mountain views, plush king beds for a restful night’s sleep, and deep designer bathtubs.

Reasons to stay:

• Heated outdoor pool and gymnasium
• Quirky, playful interiors with a distinctly luxe edge
• A short drive to bustling boutiques, ski fields, and award-winning wineries 

Address: 30 Brunswick Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa

Hilton Hotels are synonymous with white-glove service and luxurious amenities, and The Hilton Queenstown Resort and Spa is no different. Just 10kms outside of Queenstown, nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in Kawarau Falls, this established retreat offers understated opulence. Featuring a communal, stone-clad fire pit overlooking the lake and a private jetty to catapult you to your next outdoor alpine adventure, it offers a compelling blend of natural beauty.

Reasons to stay:

• Private lakeside hot tubs
• Immaculate wellness centre with a heated indoor pool and spa
• It’s family friendly: children under 17 years of age stay free of charge

Address: 79 Peninsula Road, Kawarau Heights, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

Hotel St Moritz Queenstown

Nestled in the heart of Queenstown’s bustling centre, Hotel St Moritz is a boutique hotel designed for travellers who like an equal dose of chic luxury and convenience. Offering handsomely styled, spacious apartment-style living, each room is awash with plaid, plush velvet, and marble finishings, to bring a sense of true alpine opulence.

Reasons to stay:

• On-site restaurant and bar with extensive mountain views
• Extra large super king beds
• Sustainable touches, like fresh milk deliveries and complimentary cotton bed socks in lieu of disposable slippers

Address: 10/18 Brunswick Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

Azur Lodge

While hotels and resorts have their perks, sometimes the seclusion and comfort of a private villa that truly defines a relaxing escape – and Azure Lodge ticks all of the boxes. Each of the nine villas is dramatically carved into the mountainside, overlooking Lake Wakatipu and flooded with natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows. Warm timber panelling gives the interiors a cocooning feel, while wraparound glass balconies blur the lines between indoors and out. Offering both proximity to alpine adventure and the peace of a tucked-away retreat, Azure Lodge is a spectacular sanctuary for those seeking quiet luxury.

Reasons to stay:

• Daily à la carte breakfast, plus nightly pre-dinner drinks and canapés are included
• Deep soaking tubs framed by panoramic lake and mountain views
• Just minutes from Queenstown’s famed onsen hot pools and Gibbston Valley wine trail

Address: 23 MacKinnon Terrace, Sunshine Bay, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

Sherwood

Sustainability and luxury often don’t go hand in hand – but Sherwood is setting a new standard. Consistently ranked among the world’s top ten most sustainable hotels by travellers, this striking retreat champions authenticity, community, and conscious living. From locally sourced produce and renewable energy and fireside feasts and creative collaborations, Sherwood offers a refreshingly grounded Queenstown experience, one that reflects both a strong sense of place and a thoughtful moment in time. 

Reasons to stay:

• A vibrant year-round arts, music and culture program
• Daily yoga and holistic massage treatments
• Reputable farm-to-fork restaurant focused on local produce 

Address: 554 Frankton Road, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand