Edgewater Hotel Wanaka
by the TopOfHotel team
Edgewater is the only hotel in Wanaka that actually sits on the lakeshore, lawn running down to the water.
Edgewater is the only hotel in Wanaka that actually sits on the lakeshore, lawn running down to the water.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Edgewater Hotel Wanaka holds a spot no other property in town can match: it is the only hotel that sits directly on the lakeshore, not just close to it. The green lawn slopes straight down to the water, and the 8.9/10 score on both Agoda and Booking tells you guests leave happy. Many room types face the lake and the Southern Alps, and review after review describes the sunrise seen from the window as almost too good to put into words. The rooms are modern and clean, the staff stay attentive, and families say the setting works equally well for a romantic break or a trip with kids.
Food and amenities
The hotel runs a spa, a sauna and tennis courts — a combination you rarely find in Wanaka. Reviewers call the spa relaxing and the grounds quiet and calm. There is also an in-house restaurant for the nights you would rather not head out for dinner.
Location and getting there
Edgewater sits on the west side of the lake, about a 10–15 minute walk from the cafes and restaurants in the town centre. If you would rather not walk, the hotel runs a shuttle. For skiers, Treble Cone is roughly 26 km away, which makes this a strong base for a ski trip with a lakeside-resort feel.
Things to know before booking
Rates run a bit high for a 4.5-star property, so weigh that against the lakefront setting. The location is the other trade-off: at a 10–15 minute walk from town, you are choosing the view over cafes on your doorstep, and without the shuttle you will want to drive in for dinner. None of this is a dealbreaker — it is simply the cost of being the one hotel that sits on the water.
Our take
If waking up to the lake matters more to you than walking to breakfast, Edgewater is the clear choice in Wanaka. You are paying for a setting nothing else in town can offer, plus a spa, sauna and tennis courts to fill the day. Book a lake-facing room, catch the sunrise, and let the shuttle handle the trip into town.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- The only hotel in Wanaka sitting directly on the lakeshore, with the lawn sloping right down to the water.
- Sunrises and sunsets here are striking — plenty of reviewers say they beat the photos.
- A spa, sauna and tennis courts on site; families note the kids stay busy.
- Clean, modern rooms with attentive, helpful staff.
- Many room types face the lake and the Southern Alps, with the water filling the view from the window.
- Rates run a bit high for a 4.5-star property.
- Town restaurants and cafes are a 10–15 minute walk away on the west side of the lake, so you either drive or hike it; the hotel runs a shuttle if you would rather not walk.
- The lakeside setting means you trade walkable dining for the view — handy to weigh if you want cafes on your doorstep.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Wanaka
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Insider Tips
- Book a room facing the lake — the sunrise over the water from the window is the thing reviewers keep coming back to.
- If you do not feel like the 10–15 minute walk into town for dinner, use the hotel shuttle or eat at the in-house restaurant.
- Coming to ski? Treble Cone is about 26 km away, so this works well as a lakeside base for a ski trip.