In our ‘Complete Guide’ series, we’re going to be visiting some of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations and getting the inside track from our GO Explore followers on the best places to stay, eat, drink, sunbathe and more. Instead of just finding out what the guidebooks tell you, find out what the locals and the travellers think when it comes to the best place to get an ice cream, the best fish and chips and the best cocktail you’ll ever taste! We’ve also recommended the best rental car so you can explore the region in comfort and style!

This is the big one! For many people, Queenstown is one of the main highlights of a trip to New Zealand. Known as the adventure capital of NZ and quite possibly the world, Queenstown is full of amazing adventures whether you are looking to throw yourself off a cliff with only a long piece of rope attached to your legs or you’re looking to explore the magnificent and spectacular landscapes that surround this beautiful city. Despite its reputation as a party town, Queenstown is the perfect destination for travellers young and old. The city has a fantastic atmosphere all year round thanks to a thriving ski scene in the winter and the beautiful mountains, lakes and vineyards in the summer months. This place is a must on any New Zealand itinerary and we’ve reached out to our GO Explorers to help find the best hotels, activities, places to eat out and more. Let’s get you GOing on your Queenstown adventure.

Best accommodation in Queenstown

As you would expect from one of New Zealand’s busiest tourist destinations, Queenstown is not short on accommodation options from backpackers to five star luxury boutique hotels. Whether you want to stay in the heart of the action in downtown Queenstown or you’re looking for something a bit more remote and off the beaten track, this place caters for everyone! All the big name hotels are found in Queenstown so make sure you do some shopping around as there are always deals to be found although accommodation can get expensive in the peak seasons in summer and winter. We’ve pulled together some of the best tips from our GO Explorers covering a wide range of accommodation options. Here we go!

Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa

Let’s start with one of the big boys. The Sofitel in Queenstown is one of the most luxurious hotels in the city so if you have a big budget for your trip and you want to splurge on somewhere special, this is the place! The hotel is situated right in the heart of the city just minutes from the stunning Lake Wakatipu and all the best bars and restaurants. GO Explorers Carol and Steve stayed here on a recent trip and couldn’t believe the experience. The service was ‘out of this world’ and the place just made you feel very special. So there you have it. Luxury accommodation option – tick!

Villa Del Lago

We know a lot of visitors to New Zealand want to keep the cost of their trip down by staying in places where you can cook your own food and relax in a living room – things you don’t get in a typical hotel. The Villa del Lago apartments are some of the best in Queenstown (although there are heaps to choose from). What sets this place apart are the stunning views – uninterrupted over Lake Wakatipu with the Remarkables mountain range in the backdrop. Imagine waking up and sipping coffee on your balcony with that view every morning. Yes please! The apartments also border the Queenstown Trail making it easy to get around whether you are heading into town or further afield.

Queenstown Holiday Park and Motel Creeksyde

Holiday parks are a big part of New Zealand’s holiday scene. From camping to lodges to motel rooms, the Queenstown Holiday Park and Motel Creeksyde caters for a wide range of budgets and is also camper van friendly making this a good option for a wide range of travellers. Creeksyde is an easy 5 minute walk from the city centre making this an ideal spot to base yourself for a few days. The park is set in several acres of beautiful green space and has some great BBQ areas, a laundry as well as great ski and bike storage. If you are looking to save some pennies, this could be a really great option.

Bella Vista Motel Queenstown

Queenstown is another place that is packed full of motels which offer great value, especially for those who are road tripping around New Zealand in a car. Located just a short walk from the city centre, Bella Vista Motel Queenstown is a great option for those wanting to explore the area. With plenty of free parking, there is no need to worry about what you are going to do with your awesome rental car and the city centre is just a short walk away. All the studio rooms are equipped with a kitchenette and the apartments have full cooking facilities, helping you to keep your costs down. Bella Vista is also an exclusive GO Play partner so if you rent a car with GO Rentals you can save 10% at any of their 27 locations across the country. Boom!

Shotover Gold Apartment

If you are looking for something a bit quieter, the Shotover Gold Apartment is a great option. This was a top tip from GO Explorer Carly (check out her blog here) from a recent trip to Queenstown. Located around a 15 minute drive from the city and 5 minutes from the airport, you can book the Shotover Gold Apartment on Bookabach. This really is a home away from home and features two bedrooms, a modern kitchen an comfy living room as well as a large garage and small bedroom out back. This is perfect if you are looking to get out and explore on foot. You can take the Queenstown Trail to Lake Hayes or beyond to Arrowtown and it’s perfect for those wanting a more laid back stay.

Ramada Hotel and Suite Queenstown Remarkables Park

We haven’t featured too many of the chain hotels in these recommendations although plenty did pop up. Perhaps the most popular tip when it comes to hotels is the Ramada Hotel and Suites at Queenstown Remarkables Park. This place is extremely popular with skiers as it’s located close to some of New Zealand’s best ski fields and is only minutes from the airport. The hotel has everything you would expect from a leading chain – fitness centre, free parking, free WiFi…it does exactly what you expect but what sets it apart is the stunning locations with amazing views over the Remarkables mountain range and a really laid back feel.

Best places to eat out in Queenstown

Queenstown is packed full of great places to eat out. Whether it’s cheap street eats or a fancy dinner you’re looking for, this place has got you covered! Again we were overwhelmed with suggestions for places to eat so we’ve tried to narrow things down by the most popular suggestions and also looking at a range of cuisine and budgets – we’d love to hear your suggestions so make sure you let us know if we have missed off any of the amazing places to eat out in Queenstown.

Best day trips from Queenstown

Queenstown is a place you could easily spend a week or two and the season will dictate what you can get up to whilst you are down here. There is no shortage of things to do in and around the city – we take a look at some of the best activities below, however there are also some awesome day trips to be made from Queenstown with heaps of amazing destinations right on the doorstep. This is a chance not only to head out and discover somewhere new, but also to take your car out on a true road trip with some of the most amazing scenery in the world. Here are our top ten day trips from Queenstown and some of the amazing views you will see along the way!

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