Mini City Guide: Queenstown, New Zealand
A picture-perfect resort town nestled between glacial mountains, Queenstown New Zealand is a year-round destination for families and couples alike. We stopped over in February (the end of New Zealand summer) on the way to nearby Milford Sound. The weather was cool if a little drizzly.
We stayed at the Queenstown Crowne Plaza using IHG free nights, and it was totally fine. Rooms were clean and simple, and the hotel was just a short walk from the main part of town. Our friends’ room had a great view of Lake Wakatipu; our room was facing the mountain and had just a partial view of the lake. If you don’t have IHG points or free nights to burn, there are tons of other options in Queenstown, from fancy lodges to airbnb apartments.
Virtuoso accommodations in Queenstown for 2018 and 2019 include:
Eichardt’s Private Hotel (Virtuoso amenities include a daily breakfast for two, complimentary wi-fi, and either a cocktail-making class or a wine tasting);
Matakuauri Lodge (Virtuoso amenities include a full daily breakfast for two, complimentary wi-fi, and a $100 spa services credit)
Touch of Spice - New Zealand Villas (Virtuoso amenities include complimentary wi-fi and your choice of complimentary concierge service to stock your pantry pre-arrival, champagne, or a gourmet New Zealand cheese platter.
Depending on the time of year, you can take a boat ride, go skiing, or bungy jump off a bridge. We took a Skyline gondola up a mountain to luge down, and it made me feel like a giggly little kid again. Skyline Luge Queenstown, open at 10am daily.
Forgot your rain jacket or need a new purse? There’s a Lululemon, a Louis Vuitton, and a North Face all in town. Start on Shotover street and just walk around.
Gamble! The Skycity casino was just a short walk away from our hotel and had table games and slot machines. Don’t expect Vegas or anything, but we were entertained.
Charter a plane, buy a bus ticket, or rent a car to visit Milford Sound. We had planned to take a plane but they won’t fly if the weather is iffy (seems like a good call!), so we rented a car and drove. It takes a bit longer, but you’ll see lots of sheep and get a great view of the fjords once you’re closer to Milford.
* If you're even a little bit of a carnivore, do yourself a favor and order roast lamb and potatoes from Pedro's House of Lamb. Tbh I'm not even a huge lamb fan but this was one of the best meals that we had in all of New Zealand. It's takeout only, but they also deliver. $45 NZD (about $30 USD) per order of roast lamb and scalloped potatoes; each order serves 2 or more, depending on how hungry you are. 47 Gorge Road, open 12-9pm daily.
* If you’re in the mood for pastries or meat-stuffed pot pies, go to Fergbaker (next to Fergberger but without the crazy line). I dream of their Boston Cream donuts. Seriously, they are worth a return trip. No website. 40 Shotover Street, open daily 6:30am to 4:30am (that is not a typo).
* Everyone goes to Fergburger (seriously- there is a line out the door at all hours of the day), but our concierge suggested that we skip the crowd and try Devil Burger instead. It was good! The burgers are all made with "Prime New Zealand beef" and the curry fries were delish.