Browns Boutique Hotel is a small, stylish bed and breakfast in the centre of Queenstown, on a quiet street just two minutes' walk from the town's shops, restaurants and nightlife. With just 10 rooms, each opening onto a Juliet balcony with views across Lake Wakatipu to the Remarkables, it offers a warm, personal and affordable base in New Zealand's adventure capital.
Browns Boutique Hotel is a small, stylish bed and breakfast in the centre of Queenstown, on a quiet street just two minutes' walk from the town's shops, restaurants and nightlife. With just 10 rooms, each opening onto a Juliet balcony with views across Lake Wakatipu to the Remarkables, it offers a warm, personal and affordable base in New Zealand's adventure capital.
Location: Queenstown, New Zealand
The hotel sits in central Queenstown, on New Zealand's South Island, on a quiet residential street a short walk from the lakefront, the Skyline Gondola and the town's busy centre. Queenstown Airport is a short drive away, and the ski areas of Coronet Peak and the Remarkables are within around half an hour.
Queenstown is set on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by mountains, and it is the gateway to some of New Zealand's most spectacular landscapes, including Milford Sound, Glenorchy and the vineyards of Central Otago.
Queenstown is one of the most famous adventure destinations in the world, the birthplace of commercial bungy jumping, and it offers jet-boating, paragliding, skydiving and canyon swings alongside gentler pleasures such as lake cruises, wine tasting and some of the best restaurants in New Zealand.
Rooms and suites at Browns
The 10 rooms are centrally heated, with en-suite bathrooms and super-king or twin beds, decorated in a timeless, European-inspired style. Each has French doors opening onto a Juliet balcony overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, and the courtyard looks out across Queenstown.
The hotel's small size means a quiet, personal atmosphere, with hosts Donald and Gillian on hand to help with advice on restaurants, activities and day trips.
The European-inspired style, with classic furnishings, warm colours and attention to detail, gives the hotel a timeless, elegant feel, quite different from the modern apartments and chain hotels that dominate much of Queenstown's accommodation.
Facilities at Browns
A cooked and continental breakfast is included in the rate, served each morning. There is no restaurant or bar on site, but some of the best restaurants and bars in New Zealand are a short walk away. Free off-street parking is available, a real advantage in central Queenstown.
For skiers, there is a heated ski storage and drying room, and the hotel is a convenient base for the Coronet Peak and Remarkables ski areas, with shuttle buses running from the town centre.
Because the hotel is so central, it is easy to leave the car and explore on foot: the lakefront, the Skyline Gondola, the Queenstown Gardens and dozens of restaurants, cafés and bars are all within a few minutes' walk, and buses and tours leave from the town centre.
The mountain moment
The defining moment is breakfast on your balcony, with the morning light on the Remarkables and the lake glittering below, before heading out for a day of adventure. In winter, the snowy peaks above the town make the view even more dramatic.
By day, ride the Skyline Gondola to Bob's Peak for a panorama across the lake and mountains, take a day trip to Milford Sound, or drive the lakeside road to Glenorchy, where the landscapes of The Lord of the Rings were filmed.
Why Browns is one of the best mountain hotels
Browns Boutique Hotel earns its place in our Affordable stays collection because it offers lake and mountain views, a central location and warm hospitality in one of the world's most popular mountain towns, at a fair price for Queenstown. It is a small bed and breakfast rather than a full-service hotel. But for couples and skiers who want comfort, character and convenience, it is an excellent choice.
It also gives travellers an affordable alternative to Matakauri Lodge, our luxury pick on the shore of the lake, showing that Queenstown's extraordinary scenery can be enjoyed on any budget.
When to go to Browns
Queenstown is busy year-round. Winter, from June to September, brings skiing and the Winter Festival, and the town is lively with skiers and snowboarders. Summer, from December to February, brings long, warm days, hiking, lake activities and wine tours. Autumn, from March to May, brings golden colours and settled weather, and spring brings blossom and quieter days. Book early for winter and summer peaks, as the hotel has only 10 rooms.
Questions, answered
- Is breakfast included at Browns Boutique Hotel?
- Yes. A cooked and continental breakfast is included in the nightly rate.
- Do the rooms at Browns have lake views?
- Yes. Each room has French doors opening onto a Juliet balcony overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables.
- How far is Browns from the centre of Queenstown?
- About two minutes' walk from the town's shops, restaurants and nightlife.
