Hostel Review: YHA Queenstown Lakefront Hostel

Queenstown Lakefront Hostel was hands down my favorite hostel in New Zealand.

The rooms, building, and location were fantastic. It sits directly across the street from Lake Wakatipu, and I was lucky enough to stay in a room facing the lake and the Remarkables.

Read on for details of my experience staying at Queenstown Lakefront Hostel and why it’s on the top of my list of recommended places to stay in New Zealand.

The Location

Less than a mile from downtown, Queenstown Lakefront is a quiet reprieve perfect for travelers looking to relax by the lake.

Right across the street is Lake Wakatipu, where you can marvel at the Remarkables mountain range from the rocky shore. 

Address: 88-90 Lake Esplanade, Queenstown

Read More: Ultimate Guide to Hostels For Solo Female Travelers 35+

The Property

The kitchen area is huge! The multiple stovetops with nearly every cooking tool you’d need to make preparing meals easy.

Each cooking area, separated by counter space and sinks, had an island topped with jars of common spices and shelves full of pots, pans, utensils, plates, bowls, etc.

The large restaurant-style reach-in refrigerators (the ones with glass sliding doors) were never cramped or overflowing with guests’ food. 

Additionally, the laundry facilities were top-notch. The machines seemed new and there were plenty of them for a handful of guests to do laundry at the same time! 

I was out exploring Queenstown all day every day that I was there, so I didn’t have a chance to explore more of the common areas.

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The Room

The 8-bed female-only dorm room I stayed in was bright and clean, and each bed had a built-in reading light. Plus, there was a large verticle locker (large enough to store a suitcase) for each guest in the room.

Queenstown Lakefront also offers dorm rooms with 4 or 6 beds and private rooms for 1-2 people with access to shared bathrooms.

The Little Extras

My favorite part about the kitchen was the floor-to-ceiling windows facing the lake. I enjoyed the view and my morning coffee from a seat by these windows every day.

I appreciated the assistance from the front desk staff in figuring out how to get me and my stuff to the Queenstown Airport for an early morning flight.

What I Did Not Love

Honestly, there isn’t a single negative thing I can say about this hostel (the girl staying in the bed above me, on the other hand, I could give you an earful about).

You should stay here when you visit Queenstown!

Things to do within walking distance of Queenstown Lakefront Hostel

Enjoy all of the city’s restaurants, cafes, and shops within minutes. I enjoyed meals and snacks at the famous Fergburger and The Cow Pizza + Spaghetti House, Cookie Time, and Mrs. Ferg. 

Memorial Arch is a quick and easy walk from the hostel. This is where you can meet up with Free Walking Tours Queenstown for an in-depth tour of the city covering Maori and European history and the current tourism boom.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, Free Walking Tours Queenstown is permanently closed. If you know of another company offering free walking tours (or paid) of Queenstown, please share in the comments below!

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You can even walk to the Skyline Queenstown. Either hike to the top on the Tiki Trail for free or catch the gondola. Spend the day up there racing down the Queenstown Luge, grab a bite at the Market Kitchen Cafe, and snap some photos from the viewing deck.

Also, plan to have a buffet dinner or just enjoy an adult beverage with a view at the Stratosfare Restaurant.