Queenstown Highlands Lodge: FREE Parking, BBQ, AC! 🔥
Queenstown Highlands Lodge: My Honest Take (Free Parking, BBQ, AC! 🔥… and a Whole Lot More!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Queenstown and let me tell you, finding a decent place to stay that doesn't require remortgaging your house is a challenge. But, thank the travel gods, I stumbled upon Queenstown Highlands Lodge. And, well, let's just say it's got some serious potential… with a few quirks.
The Good Stuff (and Believe Me, There’s Plenty!)
First things first: FREE PARKING! Seriously, in Queenstown, this is GOLD. Saved me a fortune, and my sanity. The BBQ? Oh, yeah, that's a winner too. Imagine this: after a day of adrenaline-pumping activities (more on that later), you're chilling with a cold one, grilling some sausages, and watching the sun dip behind the mountains. Pure bliss. And yes, AC! (Air Conditioning) – a lifesaver, especially if you're visiting during those warmer months.
Let’s dive deeper, shall we?
Rooms & Comfort: Cozy & Clean (Mostly!)
My room? Okay, here's the real talk: it was clean. REALLY clean. Like, hospital-grade clean. They clearly take the "Cleanliness and safety" thing seriously. "Rooms sanitized between stays," they claim, and I believe it. I even saw the "Anti-viral cleaning products" in action. Now, the vibe? A little… functional. Think comfortable, rather than luxurious. But hey, the Air Conditioning blasted out ice-cold air, the Free Wi-Fi worked (hallelujah!), and the Blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping off that jet lag. They had all the basics: Coffee/tea maker, a Refrigerator (essential for stashing those emergency snacks!), and a Hair dryer. The Free bottled water was a nice touch. The Bed was comfortable and I loved the extra long bed. They even had slippers which was very thoughtful.
The Accessibility Angle (Important Stuff!)
Now, I didn't personally need it, but I noticed they had some serious consideration for accessibility. They list "Facilities for disabled guests," and I saw an Elevator. That's a huge plus, especially in a town where everything seems to be built on a mountainside. Plus, they have CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property - safety first, right? I didn't see any specific wheelchair accessible rooms listed, but I'd definitely call ahead and double-check if that's a requirement.
Food, Glorious Food (and Where to Find It!)
Okay, food. This is where it gets interesting. They have Restaurants. But, I didn't eat in them. They provide "A la carte in restaurant," "Asian cuisine in restaurant," "International cuisine in restaurant," and "Vegetarian restaurant." However, I had heard mixed reviews. I opted for exploring Queenstown. They also offer Room service [24-hour]. I did however, take advantage of the Breakfast [buffet]. It was a solid start to the day. They also offer Breakfast takeaway service. I think the Coffee shop was a highlight.
Things to Do (and How to Relax – Seriously!)
Queenstown is all about adventure. Bungy jumping, white-water rafting, jet boating… you name it, they've got it. But, after a day of near-death experiences, you need to unwind. And here's where Queenstown Highlands Lodge shines.
- Ways to Relax: They've got a Spa, a Sauna, and a Steamroom. Need I say more? Seriously, after the adrenaline rush, the sauna was pure heaven.
- Fitness Fanatics: They have a Fitness center, so you can work off all those delicious breakfasts.
- Pool with view: I wasn't a huge fan of the pool. It felt a bit cold, and it wasn't the most picturesque pool I've seen.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
They have a Concierge, which is always handy for booking tours or getting recommendations. Daily housekeeping kept things tidy. Laundry service and Dry cleaning were available, which is great if you're traveling light (like I try to!). They also had a Convenience store for those last-minute essentials. They also have Car park [on-site] and Car park [free of charge].
The Quirks (Because No Place is Perfect!)
Okay, let's get real. There were a few things that weren’t perfect.
- The decor in my room was a tad dated. But hey, I wasn't there to judge interior design, I was there to conquer mountains.
- Some of the staff seemed a little… green. But, they were all incredibly friendly and helpful, just maybe not the most experienced.
- The "Pool with view" could have used a little more… view.
The Verdict: Book It! (With Your Eyes Open!)
Queenstown Highlands Lodge isn't the Ritz. But it's a damn good choice. Especially for the price. It's clean, comfortable, well-located, and offers some fantastic perks like FREE Parking, a BBQ, and AC. It's a solid basecamp for your Queenstown adventure. Just be prepared for a few minor imperfections, and you'll have a fantastic time.
My Offer to You: Book Now & Get Ready to Conquer Queenstown!
Thinking about booking? Do it! And here’s a little extra incentive: mention this review and get a free cocktail at the bar (because you deserve it after all the hiking!). Queenstown is calling, and Queenstown Highlands Lodge is ready to welcome you. Don't wait, book now!
Escape to Paradise: Axenia Hotel, Ulcinj, Montenegro
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average, perfectly-manicured travel itinerary. This is me, unfiltered, grappling with the majesty and potential for disaster that is Queenstown, New Zealand, and my temporary digs at Highlands Lodge. Let's get this show on the road, shall we?
Queenstown: My Highlands Lodge Debacle (and Delight)
Day 1: Arrival and the "Holy Crap, This is Gorgeous" Moment
- Morning (ish): Flight into Queenstown. Let's be real, the flight was fine. I'm more of a "get there in one piece" kind of flyer. The landing, however… chef's kiss. The mountains! The lake! I swear, I actually gasped. I think the woman next to me thought I was having a cardiac event. "Are you alright, dear?" she asked, probably expecting a medic. "Just… breathtaking," I croaked back, still slightly awestruck.
- Afternoon: Check-in at Highlands Lodge. The promise of "Free Parking" and "BBQ" was the siren song that lured me in. Finding the place… well, let's just say my GPS and I had a brief, but heated, disagreement. Eventually, success! The lodge is cute, a little…rustic, but hey, the views from the balcony? Worth the minor GPS existential crisis. Unpacking. Briefly. I'm a master of living out of a suitcase.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Stroll around the lake. Oh. My. God. The water is that impossibly turquoise color you only see in travel brochures and then think is Photoshopped. It's not. It's real. I took approximately 87 photos of the same view, each slightly different, each slightly more desperate to capture the sheer…ness of it all. Went to a local store for some groceries, I totally forgot my sunscreen, I'm going to be a lobster by the end of the trip.
- Evening: BBQ attempt #1. I am not a grill master. I am, in fact, the opposite. I bought some sausages, burgers, and some questionable-looking vegetables. The "BBQ" part was a metal box with a grate. The "Free Parking" part was a spot that I wasn't sure was actually a spot. The sausages charred faster than I could say "burnt offering." The burgers? Well, let's just say the birds got a good meal that night. I ended up eating a sad, charred sausage and a bag of chips, contemplating my life choices on the balcony. The sunset, however, was spectacular. I'll give Queenstown that.
Day 2: Adventure (and My Near-Death Experience with a Kayak)
- Morning: Attempted to wake up early, failed. Finally got up, grabbed a coffee, and attempted to find something to eat, I had to go to the local store again. Today is the day I'm supposed to do the Shotover Jet. I was slightly terrified.
- Afternoon: Shotover Jet. Holy. Crap. That was insane! The speed, the spins, the sheer proximity to the rock walls… I screamed. A lot. I think I lost a lung. But you know what? It was exhilarating! I'm not sure if I'd do it again, but I'm glad I did it once.
- Late Afternoon: Kayaking on Lake Wakatipu. Romantic, right? Wrong. I'm pretty sure I'm the only person who can make kayaking look like a competitive sport… against the wind. I struggled. I sweated. I may have cursed the lake. At one point, I thought I was going to capsize, and all I could think was, "Well, this is how I die. Chilled to the bone in a kayak, surrounded by stunning scenery, and a total idiot." I made it back, miraculously, and collapsed on the shore, feeling like I'd run a marathon.
- Evening: Dinner at a restaurant in town. I needed food. Real food. And maybe a stiff drink to calm my nerves after the kayak incident. The food was amazing. The view was stunning. I may have accidentally ordered a dessert, but hey, I deserved it.
Day 3: Skydiving (and My Existential Crisis in Mid-Air)
- Morning: Skydiving booked. I woke up, and immediately regretted it. I've had the worst night's sleep of my life, I started to question every decision I've made in my life. But I had to do it, or else I'd be a massive wimp.
- Afternoon: Skydiving. The plane ride up was the worst part. The closer we got to the drop zone, the more my stomach decided to stage a protest. The jump itself… well, it was a blur of adrenaline, screaming, and the overwhelming feeling that I'd made a terrible mistake. The freefall was terrifying, exhilarating, and strangely peaceful all at once. The parachute ride was beautiful. The view was insane. When my feet touched the ground, I felt like I could conquer the world. Or at least, order another coffee.
- Late Afternoon: Went to the store again, bought some more food, I'm not sure what I want to eat, but I'll find something.
- Evening: Back at the lodge. The BBQ is still there, and I'm still not going to attempt it. I'm thinking of ordering some takeaway.
Day 4: Rest Day (and the Discovery of the Perfect Coffee)
- Morning: Slept in. Needed it. Skydiving is a whole body workout, apparently.
- Afternoon: Found the PERFECT coffee shop. Seriously, the coffee was so good, I actually shed a tear. It's called "The Coffee Merchant," if you're ever in Queenstown, do yourself a favor and go there. I went back three times.
- Evening: Just chilled at the lodge, reading, and enjoying the view. Contemplating my life choices. And the BBQ. Still not touching it.
Day 5: Departure (and a Promise to Return)
- Morning: Packing. Ugh. Always the worst part. Said goodbye to the lodge.
- Afternoon: Flight home. Saying goodbye to Queenstown was hard. It's a place that gets under your skin. It's beautiful, it's adventurous, and it's full of potential for both spectacular triumphs and epic fails. I'll be back. And next time, I'm bringing a BBQ master.
Highlands Lodge: The Verdict
- The Good: The location is great, the views are stunning, and the free parking (once you find it) is a bonus. The AC was a godsend.
- The Not-So-Good: The rustic charm is…well, rustic. The BBQ situation remains a mystery.
- Overall: Would recommend. But maybe bring your own grill. And a BBQ master. And a therapist. Just in case.
And there you have it. My Queenstown adventure, warts and all. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to dream of turquoise water and perfect coffee.
Barcelona Dream: HUGE Terrace & Poolside Paradise!
Queenstown Highlands Lodge: You've Got Questions, I've Got (Mostly) Honest Answers! 🔥
Okay, the BIG one: Is the Parking REALLY free? Because in Queenstown, that's practically a unicorn.
YES! Absolutely, positively, 100% FREE PARKING at Queenstown Highlands Lodge. I mean, I literally did a little happy dance when I saw that. Queenstown is a parking PITA, you know? You're constantly stressing, feeding the meter, or circling the block praying to the parking gods. To have free parking? That's a game changer. I remember once, circling for an hour trying to find a spot near the Gondola... I nearly cried. So, yeah, free parking? Major win. Seriously. It's worth its weight in gold, especially after a long day of hiking or adrenaline-pumping activities.
The BBQ! Tell me about the BBQ. Is it a death trap? Is it actually usable?
Okay, the BBQ. Let's be real. BBQs can be hit or miss. I've seen some that look like they haven't been cleaned since the dinosaurs roamed the earth. The one at Queenstown Highlands Lodge... well, it's decent. It's not a gleaming, brand-new Weber, okay? But it works. It gets hot. I cooked some sausages and they were delicious. (Okay, maybe I overcooked one side a *little* bit. My fault, not the BBQ's! I was distracted by the view.) They provide the utensils, which is a massive bonus. So, yeah, usable. Clean it up afterwards, for the love of all that is holy! And maybe bring your own tongs, just in case. You know, the *good* tongs.
Air Conditioning! Is there AC? Is it any good? Because I'm from Texas, and I need to know.
Alright, AC. This is where things get...interesting. I'm not from Texas, but I *hate* being hot. I get grumpy. And the Queenstown sun can be brutal. The rooms at the lodge *do* have AC. However... and here's the kicker... it's not like a blasting, ice-cold, commercial-grade AC unit. It's more of a...gentle cooling system. Think of it as a sophisticated fan with a bit of a chill. It's enough to take the edge off on a hot day. It's not going to turn your room into a meat locker. If you're a serious AC aficionado, maybe bring a portable fan just in case. Honestly, I was fine. But I'm also a person who sleeps with a window open, even in winter. So, your mileage may vary. Manage your expectations. It's good, but not *amazing*. It's more like, "Oh, this is pleasant" than "OMG, I'm freezing!"
What about the views? They're supposed to be incredible! Is it all hype?
The views... Okay, the views are not hype. They’re the real deal. I’m not even exaggerating. I swear, I spent a good hour just staring out the window when I first arrived. I'm a cynical person, I'm not easily impressed, but the view? Seriously, it took my breath away. You're high up, overlooking the lake and the mountains. It’s postcard perfect. I mean, I took so many photos, I practically ran out of memory on my phone. Every morning, I'd wake up, and my jaw would drop. It's worth the price of admission alone, honestly. Pure, unadulterated, jaw-dropping beauty. Forget about the AC for a second, this is what you're paying for. Just...wow. I could just ramble on about the views all day. I'm still dreaming about them. Okay, I'll stop now, before I start tearing up.
Are the rooms clean? Because I'm a bit of a neat freak.
Okay, the cleanliness. This is important, right? Nobody wants to stay in a pigsty. The rooms are... generally clean. Let's put it that way. The staff do a good job. They're not spotless, *spotless*. You might find a stray hair or two (I'm not naming names, but... I *may* have left one myself). But overall, it's clean enough. The bathrooms are good. The sheets are fresh. I'm a bit of a neat freak myself, and I didn't feel grossed out. So, yeah, clean enough. Not a five-star hotel clean, but definitely acceptable. And honestly, when you're spending your days exploring Queenstown, you're not going to be spending much time in your room anyway, right? Focus on the views!
Is there a kitchen? Can I cook my own food?
Yes! There's a kitchen. And yes, you can totally cook your own food. Which is awesome, because eating out in Queenstown can get expensive, and honestly, sometimes you just want a quiet night in, right? The kitchen's pretty well-equipped. They have a microwave, a fridge, a stove, and all the basic utensils you'll need. I made pasta one night. It was epic. Okay, maybe not epic. But it was good! And cheap! And it saved me a fortune. So, yeah, the kitchen is a major plus. Just remember to clean up after yourself. Common courtesy, people! And maybe label your food in the fridge...because someone *cough* (it wasn't me!) might accidentally eat your yogurt. Just saying.
The location! Is it convenient? I want to be close to the action, but not *too* close.
The location is... pretty good. It's not *right* in the middle of the craziness, which is a blessing, honestly. You're a short drive (or a reasonable walk, depending on your fitness level and how many craft beers you've had) from the town center. So you're close enough to all the shops, restaurants, and activities, but far enough away to escape the noise and the crowds. It's the perfect balance, in my opinion. You can relax and enjoy the peace and quiet, and then easily jump into the action when you're ready. I'd say, 10-15 minute drive to the main town area. The drive itself is beautiful, by the way. So, yeah, location = thumbs up. And you avoid the late-night noise of drunken revelers! Win-win.
Anything I should know that's not obvious from the website? Hidden gems? Quirks?
