Your Guide to Queenstown Part Three: Where to Drink and Where to Sleep
Where to take yourself out to after the sun goes down and where to tuck in afterwards.
An over-achiever in every sense, the little alpine resort town of Queenstown doesn't just show up almost every other worldwide holiday destination in just the skiing and eating departments, nope, the town takes the cake for its drinking establishments and sleeping quarters too.
See Part One: Where to Ski, Part Two: Where to Eat and Part Four: What to Do of our Queenstown guide.
The Spire
Where to Sleep
A blissful Calypso's island of a 10-bedroom boutique hotel, The Spire is the personification of comfort. The five-star hotel makes it impossible for guests to leave. Even to see Queenstown. The Spire's bathtub alone deserves at least 154 sonnets. You could easily lose yourself in an hour-long foamy haze of happiness in the perfectly shaped tub which (when the bathroom shutters are open) overlooks the fire place and nearby mountains. If you were thinking of proposing to your other half but were unsure about the how and when, you should just book a room there right now.
$650 - $800 per person
5 Church Lane
True to their name, the four-star Qualmark Silver Enviro-awarded Scenic Suites overlook the best, most scenic parts of Queenstown - the town, mountains and lakeside. The self-catered apartments are ideal for those who like having their breakfast served with a view, and the the Suites' location means that it's close enough to town but not too close to hear the 2am alcohol-infused noise pollution of town.
$155 - $255 per person
27 Stanley Street
Special Mention: Budget Options
For those only looking for a spot to park their gear and then head out to the mountain, many of the Queenstown backpackers offer a bed in a dorm for as low as $16 a night. The average backpacker rate is about $30 a night.
Rhino's Ski Shack
Where to Drink
Packed with apres-ski kids still half in snow gear and shaking off the last few snowflakes off their beanies, the basement bar has the best vibe in town. Decked out in cedar wood (a nice piney smell permeating the bar), vintage skis and pictures of the snow, Rhino is the perfect drop off point for your inhibitions.
Tip: Have an eggnog shot followed by a hot buttered rum. You can't leave Rhino without trying both.
26 Ballarat Street // Mon - Thurs 3pm - 2am, Fri - 12noon - 4am, Sat - Sun 2pm - 4am
James Bond has a permanent altar in the form of Bunker. A spot for those in need of night a tad more upmarket and sophisticated. Throw in a cosy fire, a silent loop of James Bond films splashed against the outer wall and you have yourself the ingredients for a plush night.
Tip: Order a martini, stirred not shaken.
14 Cow Lane // Mon - Sun 5pm - Late
Another great bar for a pared-back night, Bardeaux represents all that is good and sacred about winter bars, with a giant cosy fireplace and small enough bar to ensure a more relaxed night.
Tip: Steal the spot next to the fireplace and ignore the world for a while.
Eureka Arcade (off The Mall) // Mon - Sun 12noon - 4am
For more information head over to Queenstown NZ.
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