Best Queenstown Boutique Hotels

Design is contemporary inside and out at this chic 19-room boutique hotel. The exterior is a sharp combination of natural materials and metal wrought in clean lines and sharp angles, while the public spaces (lounge area with fireplace, outdoor terrace with fire pit with a free evening cocktail hour) have the feel of a modern alpine lodge and are on-par with many of the sleek chalets that we've visited. Contemporary and understated rooms feature the hints of the hotel's signature gray and orange decor, plus outdoor space, air-conditioning, underfloor heating, kitchenettes, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is mainly geared toward mature couples or solo travelers.

Located within a five-minute walk of downtown Queenstown, the charming Dairy Private Hotel has a modern farmhouse vibe and scenic views. The charming property isn't as hip as Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel, and more folksy. Guests -- 12 and older only -- are greeted with a glass of free Champagne in a fire-lit lounge. All of the stylishly simple rooms have free flat-screen TVs, minibars, coffee- and tea-making facilities, safes, and fans -- but no air-conditioning, underfloor heating, or kitchenettes, like at Queenstown Park. Low-key amenities include a terrace with a fireplace; a hot tub with mountain views; a cozy library with books and magazines; and a lounge with a computer, fireplace, and honesty bar. There's no full restaurant, but a free cooked-to-order breakfast buffet is served in a retro storefront, and the kitchen will put together gourmet food baskets for a fee. 

A three-minute walk from the center of Queenstown, Browns Boutique Hotel is a small, Italian-style property with mountain views. Like Dairy Private Hotel, Browns Boutique serves a great (and free) breakfast spread of hot and cold items. Its 10 rooms are elegant and simple, with oak furniture and neutral tones, plus mini-fridges stocked with free juice and milk, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and bathrobes. And while only Dairy Private's most expensive room has a balcony, all rooms here have Juliet balconies, many with lake or hill views. There is a lovely courtyard with a wood-burning fireplace and giant chessboard (but no whirlpool, like at Dairy Private), and inside there DVDs, book, and a computer. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and there's plenty of free on-site parking (which can be difficult at Dairy Private).

Nugget Point Queenstown Hotel was one of Queenstown’s pioneering boutique hotels. Considering there are a small number of rooms (36), the property has an impressive array of amenities for guests, like a fine-dining restaurant with mountain views; spacious fitness center; squash and tennis courts; and Roman-style spa with a pool, sauna, and steam room. It is the only hotel on this list with such features, but we ranked it lower due to the surprisingly bland look of its rooms. All have private balconies or patios, as well as coffeemakers, air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi -- but they lack the chicness of Queenstown Park and the coziness of Dairy Private and Browns Boutique.