Homestays w: Otago, New Zealand

We chose this hotel because we expected to enjoy its winery/food. Otherwise, we should have stayed in Queenstown with a lot of restaurants and pubs. As we would arrive in the early evening, we put a note for our hope for experiencing their winery and food (or at least finger foods) when we booked the hotel, and received email that they cannot guarantee but will do their best to serve our need. Since then, no email was sent to us. When we arrived at the hotel around 6 pm, no one was in the information desk, so we had to go to the bistro to find out that they left the key in a safe box without any notice or sending us any email with its password. We had to wait a while for the bistro lady to make a phone call to whom it concerns, which was okay. Worse, we heard that their bistro was reserved for a group event so we could not use the facility at all. We had to drive 15 minutes to a nearby town and bought foods from a supermarket. I think the hotel should have notified us of impossibility of using their bistro/food service due to the group event and we have to prepare for our food. As I checked out, I left a note about the issues, and expected they would send me an email to express their sincere apology. Unfortunately nothing happened so far. Although I liked the room as well as the whole place very much, I think Kinross cottage needs professionalism to run their stay program. It could have been much nicer, memorable stay experience.

I had a truly wonderful stay at this retreat. The place itself is absolutely spectacular — very calming, beautifully maintained, and surrounded by breathtaking views. The deck is stunning, and it was the perfect spot to relax and unwind. The owners were exceptionally friendly and went above and beyond to make me feel welcome and looked after throughout my stay. Their hospitality genuinely stood out. The dogs were lovely and added so much warmth to the experience. Breakfast was excellent, and the variety of teas available was out of this world. As a female solo traveller, I felt completely safe, comfortable, and well cared for, which is something I value highly. The atmosphere is peaceful and nurturing — exactly what you want from a retreat. The only minor downside is that it’s a bit far from the shops (around a one-hour walk). However, this was easily managed as Uber is only a 6-minute drive, and the hosts were also kind enough to offer lifts when possible. Overall, an absolutely stunning place, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a peaceful and memorable stay

The most satisfying two nights of our 10-day trip. I recommend this place to anyone who's driving, as parking is free. The room has a full set of kitchenware and tableware. There's a large dining table and a sofa, and the room doesn't feel small at all. I regret not booking more nights.

A lodge on hill level hence a wonderful view on the other side of the mountain and the Queenstown Skyline. The city centre was also near. Friendly staff. Thanks for the car parking made available! The price including breakfast was a wonderful arrangement! We just love it. It let us be more productive with more time available on our side. Thanks.

This place is like a hostel in a small town, about a 10-15 minute walk from where the Intercity bus drops you off. I arrived early and couldn't check in yet, but I was able to store my luggage. Be aware that there's no elevator to the second floor, so you'll need to carry your bags up yourself. Surprisingly, the room had an electric blanket! Though it wasn't very cold when I was there, so I didn't need it. There's no fridge in the room; if you need to chill drinks, you'll have to use the large fridge in the laundry room. There's a small restaurant next to the front desk. I remember seeing a lot of people chatting there in the evening, mostly Chinese travelers sharing tips. You can help yourself to coffee, hot cocoa, orange juice, etc., in the restaurant anytime. Breakfast was prepared by a lovely lady; her maple pancakes were absolutely delicious! She was also incredibly patient and helpful. I asked her about getting a taxi to Roy's Peak, and she even helped call one for me. She thoughtfully reminded us to note down the taxi's number and the hotel's address for the return trip. (Here's a side note: as the taxi approached Roy's Peak, the driver, a kind lady, thoughtfully asked if we knew which number to call for the return trip. After I confirmed I did, she patiently asked if my phone had a local SIM or if I was roaming. She then explained that if roaming, I'd need to dial the New Zealand country code first. She was truly wonderful!)

The room was clean and the water pressure was good. Best of all, it's close enough to Queenstown city center to walk everywhere, which was really convenient. Parking was also easy, and I liked being able to watch TV and cook in the lounge area with a kitchen. Definitely a recommended place to stay.

Disappointing compared to other hostels in New Zealand I stayed two nights at Pinewood Lodge and, unfortunately, it was one of my least favorite hostels during my trip to New Zealand. The main issue was the lack of facilities for the number of guests. There were only two toilets and two showers for about a dozen people, which often led to waiting times. The kitchen is very small, with little space to store food (practically only the refrigerator) and a rather limited selection of utensils and cooking equipment. The room was also very cold, despite the heating being turned up to maximum, which didn't make for very comfortable nights. The location is decent, but for my part, I'm glad I only stayed two nights. Given my experience in many other hostels in New Zealand, this one is unfortunately not among those I would prioritize recommending.

If you use Google Maps, remember to select the pedestrian path for directions. Otherwise, it may guide you to an abandoned house. The view from the dining room was nice, but we found some short blond hairs on the bed. We weren't too concerned about it, but others might be. The breakfast is quite Western—bread and jam, with milk or yogurt. It's a nice place, suitable for a short nap before takeoff. Nearby Saddle Hill is a great spot for viewing the Southern Lights if the timing is right. You could also ask John for local tips—he might know the best viewing spots. Thanks again to John for his hospitality!

The hotel is located on a mountain, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. You can even watch the sunrise from your bed – it's absolutely stunning. A free visit to the castle is available; it's small but beautiful. Breakfast, however, is just average.

Love love love the location! ❤️ 😍 💖 2-3 minutes walk to Queenstown mall which u dont have to worry as there are shops, halal restaurants and 4 Square where u can get ur last min groceries. Also nearby the skyline which one of a MUST GO attraction in Queenstown. Big rooms and suitable for families of 4. Cozy and comfortabl beds. Staff at the reception very friendly and it makes us guests feels welcome all the time!