Eichardt’s Private Hotel

Central, designer-chic, intimate

2 Marine Parade queesntown

64-3-441-0450

See Website

At a Glance

Eichardt’s collection of suites and apartments have a sleek design scheme, a cozy bar and wonderful lake views.

Indagare Loves

  • The old-school, guests-only lounge where guests can have breakfast and complimentary whiskey is served in the afternoon
  • The central location, facing the lake and in walking distance to all recommended restaurants and the Queenstown Botanic Garden
  • The lakeview apartments, perfect for families or groups of friends traveling together

Review

Charming, stylish Eichardt’s sits at the edge of the marina looking much like a saloon from a western frontier town. Originally opened as a pub with rooms in the mid 1800s, when gold drew an onslaught of newcomers to this area, the hotel today occupies the original historic building. The cozy bar/tapas restaurant downstairs has a whiff of historic lore, thought all interiors are deeply stylish.

There are seven suites upstairs—five in the original structure and two in the modern add-on—all of them well-sized, apartment-style extravaganzas. Three of them face Lake Wakatipu, and at night, guests are treated to sunset panoramas from the comfort of their rooms. The luckiest guests booked into Room Number One get the extra perk of a balcony from where they can gaze across town and perhaps be reminded of the days when Eichardt’s was called the Queen’s Arms. There is also a penthouse suite at the top of the hotel, and down the street are three lakefront apartments and a residence.

Rooms focus around large gas-burning fireplaces and king-size beds that sit up a couple of stairs for an elevated view. The industrial-chic design scheme makes the most by mixing stone, dark wood and charcoal/black iron, but everything is accented by softening touches like large flower arrangements, skylights above the bed and in the bathrooms, and comfortable furniture with colorful pillows and throws.

There’s not much of a lobby, so guests either spend time in their comfortably sized rooms, in the cozy pub (where breakfast is also served) or in the charming sitting room, another blast from the past with gorgeous artwork, deep cushy couches and chairs and complimentary whiskey served in the afternoons when light floods the room, catching the antique mirrors. It’s a lovely spot for a breather at the end of an active Queenstown day, and just another corner of Eichardt’s where past and present beautifully meet.

Who Should Stay

The best restaurants are all in walking distance (Botswana Butchery is literally next door), and the glorious Queenstown Gardens start nearby. For active, younger travelers Eichardt’s is a great choice. But everyone who books here should know that Queenstown is a scene, especially at night, with shops open until around 10pm and restaurants and bars much later. The windows at Eichardt’s are double-paned but obviously it’s not as silent at night as staying at Matakauri or Azur. One of the big advantages, however, is that you won’t need a car to get to dinner or the in-town activities, like the Skyline Gondola.

Written by Simone Girner

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