Villa del Lago

Villa Del Lago is a quiet and relaxed property with independent travelers in mind. The serene, lakefront setting draws most guests here, and the property offers its own pebbled beach and jetty. The hotel has the atmosphere of a private apartment building, in part due to its lack of common areas and features. However, interiors are modern and well-maintained, and each apartment offers guests a good amount of privacy, as they feel quiet separate from one another. A wide range of visitors stay here, but the property attracts a lot of honeymooners, as well as families who find the space and the amenities of the two- and three-bedroom apartments convenient. The hotel’s small lobby has board games and DVDs which guests are welcome to borrow. There is also a huge array of tourist information leaflets, and staff are happy to book trips and excursions for guests -- most of which will pick guests up from the front door.

Villa Del Lago is one of a few hotels that cling to the steep hillside below the main road out of Queenstown. It sits right on the shore of Lake Wakatipu and has fantastic views over the lake and towards the Remarkables Mountains. Although the main road runs above the hotel, it is out of sight and there’s no audible noise. Along the water’s edge is a walking and riding track. It’s a peaceful location and guests can walk into bustling Queenstown from here, though it's a bit of a hike at just over 20 minutes on foot. Alternatively, the scenic path that follows the edge of the lake takes around 30 minutes. By car or bus it’s a five-minute journey, and there’s a bus stop a five-minute walk from the property. The bus also goes into Arrowtown, which takes around 25 minutes. Queenstown Airport is a 10-minute drive.

There are 16 units at the Villa Del Lago, available as One-Bedroom Suites and Two- or Three-Bedroom Villas. All have separate living rooms and bedrooms, and are spacious and light. Sliding glass patio doors that lead onto a balcony overlooking the lake. The look across the board is homey and simple, with a modern edge, and all units have neutral gray carpets and dark wood furniture with clean lines. Walls are hung with small handful of simple art, and pops of red come in the soft furnishings. Some of the Two- and Three-Bedroom Villas are easily accessible, but due to the hillside location many of the units are only reachable via fairly steep steps. 

Each apartment or suite has a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, DVD player, coffeemaker, iPod dock, free Wi-Fi, and remote controlled gas fireplace. Villas have modern stereo systems. Every unit also has a kitchen with full-size fridge, microwave, stove, dishwasher, washer and dryer, and cooking utensils. The dark blue cabinets are a nice touch and the kitchens have a sharp contemporary aesthetic, helped in part by stainless steel appliances and wood laminate floors. The modern bathrooms provide a hairdryer and toiletries and have underfloor heating. They are done in sharp metro tiling and have accents like vessel sinks on generous countertops plus glass walk-in showers, shower/tub combos, or both.

Villa Del Lago is well set up for those on an active vacation, but travelers here shouldn't expect a bevy of traditional hotel features -- there's no gym, restaurant, or bar. There are lockers in the parking area where guests can store their sporting equipment such as bikes, snowboards, skis, and boots. There is also a drying room for ski and snowboard gear. Mountain bikes can be rented from the property for those wanting to use the lakeside cycle track, and barbecues are available for rent as well -- they're popular for grilling on the private pebbly beach. The property also has its own small herb garden and guets are welcome to grab a clutch of herbs for use in their kitchens. Wi-Fi, car parking, and newspapers are all provided to guests free of charge.