20 Of The Best Queenstown Airbnbs For A Vacay With Views

POV: you’re sitting in your well-appointed living room, with a fine Central Otago drop in one hand, watching the late-evening sun set over the stunning Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu. Tāhuna Lakefront Luxury delivers this kind of bliss daily—and with orange in season, the decor is practically a paid actor.

There are views for days, and once it’s too dark to stare out in awe, the bustle of central Queenstown is only a three-minute stroll along the water’s edge. 

Tiny house lovers rejoice; this quaint and snug spot is perfect for couples and solo travellers looking for an affordable yet incredible Queenstown stay—it’s only 10m2, but what it lacks in size, it doubles in character #cabinporn.

Made from recycled joinery and cladding (love!) and located high on the hill, this cosy abode is everything you need for a soul-soothing escape. Oh, and the bed’s on a mezzanine floor—did anyone else’s childhood dreams just come true?

Perfect for a group of friends or a family getaway, the stylish Taimana Airbnb provides a rare opportunity to stay smack bang in the middle of Queenstown.

If you plan on entertaining during your stay, crank the barbecue up, pour a beverage and enjoy your generous patio—complete with views of the iconic TSS Earnslaw steamship cruising off towards Walter Peak. Rude not to.

Korimako is one of those rare stays that makes it into Airbnb’s “Luxe” listings category, so if you press that booking button, prepare to be blown away. Your four-bedroom home looks out over Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables, but the epic views are just the half of it. Expect a kitchen with premium appliances, an open-plan lounge, and a mega outdoor deck, plus there’s a lovely Onsen-style bathtub with a huge picture window for leisurely soaks with champers too.

Your hosts, Hello Queenstown, offer a secure bag drop service for early arrivals or late departures, which is pretty handy, as well as use of their exclusive guest lounge in Shotover Street for working and relaxing in town. Back at your Airbnb after a day spent exploring though, there’s even more for your large group to enjoy. Head to the games room and challenge the crew to a game of pool (and grab a drink from the bar while you’re at it). Afterwards, we reckon a soak in the outdoor hot tub might be in order because, well… those views.

Call one of the oldest buildings in the Wakatipu Basin home for a while and you’re in for a seriously cute time. Hicks Cottage dates back to the 1870s and was a dilapidated wreck destined for collapse before being beautifully restored in 2022. Now, it’s a gorgeously romantic Queenstown stay with a timber-clad living, dining and kitchen space to die for. 

The cottage sits right on the Queenstown Trail, which is a haven for hikers, bikers and runners if that’s your jam. You can also hire e-bikes from the property if you’d rather explore without getting quite so puffed out—plus you’ve got Queenstown and Arrowtown within a 15-minute drive away so there’s plenty of opportunity for a mooch around town.

There's something special about waking up to those Queenstown views—the kind that makes you pause mid-coffee sip and just stare. This stunning pad provides such moments in abundance, overlooking glorious Lake Wakatipu with breathtaking panoramas that practically demand you pour a pinot and drink them in.

Just a few minutes drive from town (or a scenic 20-minute walk if you're feeling virtuous), you'll have all of Queenstown's entertainment at your fingertips while maintaining that coveted sense of alpine escape.

Looking for something romantic but a little bit different? Look no further than The Box Car, an old freight train carriage that has been wonderfully renovated to create an adorably quirky Queenstown stay. This little pad sits in a quiet alpine forest and there’s room to park your motorhome or caravan on site which adds to its appeal if you’re on a road trip.

This place is super cute inside, with original restored floorboards, designer fittings, bespoke furniture and a lovely wood-fired indoor fireplace. There’s a cosy kitchen and barbecue for cooking up a storm and if the weather’s balmy you’ll want to throw open the big doors on either side of your carriage and let the outside in. Come sunset, you might like to take a soak in the private outdoor bath and drink in that serenity.

If your accommodation wish list includes "uninterrupted panoramic views from literally every room," Crystal Waters has your number. These brand-new suites are conveniently located in suburban Queenstown but still feel worlds away from everything—except those magnificent Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu views, which are very much present and accounted for.

The upscale rustic interiors feature a proper wood burner (chilly nights, sorted) and floor-to-ceiling windows that'll have you spending more time gazing outward than at your phone. The crowning glory? A cedar hot tub where you can soak under the stars while contemplating how you'll explain to your boss that you're never coming back to real life

Nestled in the forest at the base of Ben Lomond, the charm of a stone cabin meets the glory of nature. With a stunning pitched roof lined with elegant timber beams and a perfect alpine-style interior, at The Cabin, you’ll feel like you’re living the life of the effortlessly cool and adventurous folk that make up this town.

When the stars come out, chuck a couple of logs in the outdoor fire pit, dip in the private cedar hot tub, then lay back in the bedroom and appreciate the night sky through your rooftop window.

Location, location, location—should we say it again? This sun-drenched and spacious townhouse tucked away in Fernhill is the ultimate relaxation pad, no matter the season, and is only a stone’s throw from town.

With an open-plan kitchen and lounge framed by beautiful Queenstown-esque pitched timber ceilings, this Airbnb is the perfect base for any length of stay in this panoramic paradise.

Tiny house, but big on chic. The Kiwi Chalet in Lake Hayes is a stunning example of true craftsmanship—its angular roof makes a statement well before you reach the front doorstep.

With north-facing floor-to-ceiling windows and glass sliding doors that open out to supreme peace and tranquillity outside, this Airbnb is stunning in the daytime and makes for impressive stargazing.

Escape the hustle and bustle and settle in for a romantic escape at this peaceful Queenstown hideaway. A finalist in the Airbnb Host Awards 2021 (and we can easily see why), Lake Hayes Suite is an absolute slice of luxury.

It's got breathtaking views from every room, a stunning indoor bath and a private hot pool that looks out onto an expansive front lawn, lake, mountains and the Amisfield vineyard. What more could you want?

If you’ve ever pondered what staying in a quirky little teeny tiny house would be like, this one could just do the trick. Located in Quail Rise, Henrietta's Hut is one of the more unique stays in Queenstown.

This delightfully whimsical yet traditionally styled Shepherd's Hut has everything you need for a comfortable stay—however, cooking is not permitted inside the wagon, and no cooking facilities are provided. But with Amisfield a six-minute drive away and a host of other incredible options around, this is in no way a problem for us. Off to a winery we pop...

When they say location is everything, this is what they mean. Nestled in sunny Kelvin Heights with magnificent views across the Kawarau River, Lake Wakatipu, and those iconic Remarkables, aptly named Remarkable River Retreat is giving serious main character energy (if that’s even possible a building).

The three-bedroom Queenstown Airbnb features not one but two spacious balconies perfectly positioned for sunset appreciation. And for those morning-after-wine-tasting recovery walks, the Kelvin Peninsula trail is accessible right from the backyard.

Just eight minutes from downtown Queenstown but spiritually a world away, these stylish suites at Redfern Retreat are the mountain (and hot tub) lover's dream. Located a mere five minutes from Coronet Peak (hello, hiking or early-season skiing), they’re perfect for adventurers who want to max out their outdoor time.

After conquering whatever activity in the country’s adventure capital tickles your fancy, return to a modern interior, a full kitchen for whipping up hearty post-adventure meals, and a shared hot tub for soaking tired muscles beneath the stars.

Holiday status mode: activated. This Pinterest-esque Queenstown treehouse will instantly remind you why you switched your OOO on in the first place—for some relaxing R&R, of course.

Perched upon a hill surrounded by native trees in Arthur’s Point and just a short walk to the Shotover River, there’s a real sense of being ‘one with nature’ in this architectural paradise. With a large sunny deck, open fire, and barbecue, this dreamy location simply screams ‘book me.’

You know those ‘Gram-worthy snaps of Onsen Hot Pools? Well, they’re taken right next door to the Shotover Riverside Penthouse. Meaning when you stay here, you’ll get to spend days taking in those exact same famous vistas of Queentown's Shotover River.

This spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment may not have a spa of its own—but, hey, who needs one when the most epic hot pool experience in town is a hop, skip and dip away?

Located on the highest road in New Zealand and part of a five-acre property surrounded by century-old trees, the Crown Range Historic Stables is a beautifully memorable slice of paradise.

This refurbished 1860s cottage truly is one of a kind with a stunning ‘wood meets stone’ interior that tells the rich tales of times past. Providing 360-degree mountain and valley views, it’s also one of the last places in Queenstown to see the sun go down each night.

Whilst we agree a good old Kiwi camping trip never goes amiss... we also think, screw it, summer’s over, so why bother with your own tent when you can roll on up to Seffers Dome, Ben Lomond and stay in one of Queenstown’s first geodesic domes!

Kitted out with absolutely everything you could ever need, from a hot shower to a flushing toilet, solar power and a gas hob, this hidden gem is worth finding. We also just love the fact that there’s no wifi or reception, allowing you to truly switch off from the outside world.

Not too far afield from Queenstown but definitely worth a mention, this stunning shingle house in Jack’s Point is a sight to behold. A brand-spanking new architectural delight, it comes complete with a designer kitchen, oak floors with Persian rugs, silk and linen duvets with crisp cotton and alpaca throws; you'd almost be forgiven for spending your whole time tucked up in bed.

Tear yourself away for a dip in the spa pool/hot tub under the stars for the perfect way to cap off a lavish day. Located remarkably close to, you guessed it... the Remarkables mountain range—and Jack’s Point Golf Course—this is the ideal spot for a memorable getaway.