Pinewood Queenstown

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.

The triple room was a bit cramped; once we opened our suitcases, there was hardly any space left. The Wi-Fi in the room wasn't great either. Since you're in Queenstown, if you can afford it, I'd recommend finding a lake-view room on Airbnb. This hotel's location is tucked away in a valley, but it's only about a 15-minute walk to the town center.

The room was incredibly comfortable, right at the foot of Mount Cook. The hotel's large windows offered stunning views of the snow-capped mountains, and it was super convenient for hiking. The staff were really nice; they guided us to the correct hotel parking when we had mistakenly parked somewhere else, which made us feel especially welcome and taken care of.