15 Best Budget Accommodations in Queenstown 🛌🏼 [2024]

Where to Find Cheap Accommodation in Queenstown

With so many awesome adventure activities to be had in Queenstown, no wonder you want to save some cents on accommodation. With that in mind, here are some of the best budget accommodations in Queenstown with private rooms.

Compared to other towns in New Zealand, private room accommodation in Queenstown is not as cheap. Nevertheless, we have found some cheap accommodations in Queenstown to suit every type of budget traveller. This list gives you the best of motels, holiday parks, hotels, homestays and lodges. However, if you are looking for something even cheaper, then be sure to head on over to our 15 Best Backpacker Hostels in Queenstown.

1. Queenstown TOP 10 Holiday Park

Situated in the suburb of Arthurs Point, Queenstown TOP 10 Holiday Park might be a little out of town, but it has good connections to bus services and is nearby the Coronet Peak ski field. Plus, there are affordable cottages with double beds either with a shared bathroom or ensuite. You can also make use of the shared kitchen and laundry should you want to stick to a food budget. We also like that there’s free parking available on-site as well as free WiFi.

Check Queenstown TOP 10 Holiday Park out:

2. Adventure Queenstown Hostel

A popular option for backpackers visiting Queenstown, Adventure Queenstown Hostel provides a boutique option with friendly hosts. From the moment you receive your personalised welcome note on check-in, you’re made to feel right at home. The hostel offers (often) sundrenched balconies to relax on with fellow travellers, while room types include dorm rooms, female-only dorms, double rooms with or without an ensuite and family rooms.

Check Adventure Queenstown Hostel out:

10 Best Budget Accommodation in Queenstown

3. Melbourne Lodge Bed & Breakfast

Fantastic location, spectacular views and all for an affordable price (for some rooms, at least), Melbourne Lodge offers private rooms that are especially good value for solo travellers or couples. Breakfast is included in your stay just a five-minute walk from the town centre. There’s free WiFi and free off-street parking available plus shared bathroom, kitchen, lounge and sundeck facilities. Book well ahead to get the best rates. For more B&B options ideal for couples, take a look at the 10 Most Romantic Accommodations in Queenstown.

Check Melbourne Lodge out:

4. Driftaway Queenstown

A flashy new holiday park on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Driftaway Queenstown offers cheap cabins and camping facilities for campervans and tents. The cabins sleep up to three and have their own breakfast-making facilities and ensuite bathroom, while the communal kitchen, laundry and games rooms will handle all of your other needs. What you can’t beat, however, are the outstanding views across the lake. Note that this cheap accommodation is located in the Frankton suburb, a short drive (or bus ride) from Queenstown town centre.

Check Driftaway Queenstown out:

Driftaway Queenstown on Booking.com

5. Pinewood Lodge

Pinewood Lodge certainly provides an easy, cheap and convenient stay in Queenstown. The accommodation village, a mere seven minutes’ walk from town, offers houses, cabins and studios, as well as private rooms and dorm rooms with shared facilities. The accommodation has a few added conveniences, such as free on-site parking, bike hire, barbecue areas, spa pool and more. See more accommodations with apartments in the 10 Best Holiday Apartments in Queenstown.

Check Pinewood Lodge out:

6. Lakeside Motel

One of the more affordable and centrally-located cheap self-contained accommodations in Queenstown is the Lakeside Motel. They offer rooms with a private kitchen and bathroom so you will have everything you need. Keep the costs down in Queenstown by making your own meals in your private kitchen – get some quick inspiration from our Food category.

Check Lakeside Motel out:

7. Adventure Q2 Hostel

The sister hostel of Adventure Queenstown Hostel, Adventure Q2 Hostel offers the same friendly service and quality rooms on a boutique scale – a good backup if the other hostel is fully booked! Not only do they have upscale shared dorms, but Q2 is well worth considering for their private ensuite double rooms. You’ll find all the essential communal facilities, including a well-equipped kitchen, lounge and more. See the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Queenstown for more stays with kitchen facilities.

Check Adventure Q2 Hostel out:

15 Best Budget Accommodations in Queenstown 🛌🏼 [2023]

8. JUCY Snooze Queenstown

It doesn’t get more contemporary or central in Queenstown than JUCY Snooze. The Queenstown branch of the hotel chain appeals to backpackers and flashpackers alike with sleek double and quad ensuites and innovative pod dorm rooms. Checking in is an event in itself by using electronic kiosks, while evenings are best spent at their rooftop pizzeria and bar. For more hotel-style stays, take a look at the 20 Best Hotels in Queenstown.

Check JUCY Snooze Queenstown out:

9. Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park

For a private ensuite double room with access to kitchen, lounge and laundry facilities, Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park offers an option. The accommodation is within short walking distance from the town centre and offers some great views of Lake Wakatipu. Free parking is also available. Needless to say, they are also one of the limited camping options in town, where you can browse more advice in Where to Camp in Queenstown.

Check Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park out:

10. Remarkables Queenstown

Stay on the alternative side of town, between Queenstown Airport and The Remarkables Shopping Centre. Remarkables Queenstown is a cheap and rather sleek boutique hotel with a number of private rooms with a shared lounge, laundry and kitchen facilities so you have the option to save on the cents if needed. Note that many rooms have a shared bathroom also. What’s more, free WiFi and free parking are available.

Check Remarkables Queenstown out:

11. Absoloot Hostel QT

You can’t do any more central than Absoloot! If convenience is your king, then this cheap accommodation is for you. Positioned on the lakefront in downtown Queenstown, it could be argued that this hostel has the best views in town. What’s more, Absoloot comes with free WiFi, well-maintained facilities and friendly staff to help you get the most from your stay. Backpacker dorms come with privacy curtains, while other traveller types will also be made to feel right at home here with private double rooms, family rooms with activity packs for the kids and more. Speaking of families, you might also be interested in the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Queenstown.

Check Absoloot Hostel QT out:

10 Best Budget Accommodations in Queenstown 🛌🏼 [2023]

12. Reavers Lodge

Offering a selection of cheap ensuite rooms within 10 minutes’ walk of Queenstown town centre, Reavers Lodge is a popular option. Admittedly, rooms are a little “worn”, but as long as you set your expectations right, you’ll still find great value at this affordable lodge with breakfast, WiFi and on-site parking included. Guests can enjoy a drink at the on-site bar, hire ski gear and take the lodge’s shuttle to the mountain, and relax in the lounge with a game of pool.

Check Reavers Lodge out:

13. Caples Court

With a prime location in the centre of Queenstown, plus budget self-contained studios and apartments, how can you go wrong? Each studio at Caples Court has at least a private lounge, kitchenette, bathroom and patio starting with double rooms. What’s more, the accommodation offers free parking in Queenstown, plus 2GB of WiFi data per day.

Check Caples Court out:

14. Sherwood

If you have a little bit of extra cash to spend for a hint of luxury then Sherwood is your hotel. The lodge queen rooms with private bathrooms are just affordable enough to make our list. Sherwood is an eco-friendly hotel with refurbished rooms made with recycled materials and their restaurant serves meals made with organic food. The hotel is a good place to relax, set on a hillside overlooking Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range. Sherwood is a 5-minute drive from the city centre. Free WiFi and free parking are available. If luxury is more your thing, be sure to also check out the 10 Best Luxury Accommodations in Queenstown.

Check Sherwood out:

15. Blue Peaks Lodge

[Update: Prices at Blue Peaks Lodge are now closer to “mid-range” than “budget”, but they’re still cheaper than many other accommodations in town. Therefore, you still might want to take a look!]

Blue Peaks Lodge is within walking distance of the Queenstown Gardens, providing a semi-central location in Queenstown. Free parking is available to save you from those hefty parking prices of the town centre. Queen rooms come with a refrigerator (no kitchen) and are the more affordable option at Blue Peaks Lodge. However, you can keep the cost of food down by hitting these Cheap Eats in Queenstown. Plus, there’s 500Mb of free WiFi available.

Check Blue Peaks Lodge out:

More About Budget Accommodations in Queenstown

That’s it for our list of the best cheap budget accommodations in Queenstown, but it’s by no means the end of our expert travel advice! Check out these articles for more inspiration for your trip:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Travel Guide to Queenstown on a Budget.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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