Homestays in Otago, New Zealand

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 condition of the property upon our arrival was unacceptable, falling well below basic standards of cleanliness, safety, and comfort. Throughout our stay, we encountered multiple significant issues across the property: The dishwasher was completely full of standing, stagnant water upon our arrival, rendering it unusable until cleared. The cookware provided was filthy, with greasy, burnt-on residue on the pans that required scrubbing before use of which there were no cleaning products provided until asked for. There are visible holes in the walls in the home. More concerningly, bathroom light fixtures were loose and visibly hanging/falling out from the ceiling, which presents a genuine safety hazard. The general cleanliness was poor. In the bathrooms, the ceiling and roof lining showed noticeable dirt and grime build-up. The lounge suites are ripped, worn out, and actively falling apart, offering neither aesthetic appeal nor basic comfort. Furthermore, the beds were extremely uncomfortable, severely impacting our ability to sleep throughout the four nights.

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!)

Excellent location. Can walk easily down the city centre in 6-8 mins but need to walk back upwards. We used Uber a dew times (costs 10-12 NZD), tried taxi once and got charged $25! Even its quite convenient to order food via Uber eats as within 5-10 mins most restaurants are located. Overall a its a budget friendly accommodation :)

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 castle is very big and you can see the sea. It is a very good experience. You can choose your own buffet breakfast. I recommend the Lanark breakfast. Guests staying in the hotel can participate in the castle dinner. It is also great value for money. I will go there again if I have the chance.

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!