LyLo Queenstown (เดิม JUCY Snooze)
by the TopOfHotel team
LyLo is the best-value capsule hostel in the city center — the 4th-floor rooftop looks straight at Lake Wakatipu, and the pods give you far more privacy than a normal dorm.
LyLo is the best-value capsule hostel in the city center — the 4th-floor rooftop looks straight at Lake Wakatipu, and the pods give you far more privacy than a normal dorm.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Each capsule has a privacy screen down one side, a private reading light and a built-in power outlet — and that is the whole point of the place. Reviews keep coming back to the same line: it feels far more private than a standard hostel dorm. The shared bathrooms are clean and there are enough of them. The catch is that some rooms have no window, which leaves them dark and stuffy all day, so it is worth asking for one with natural light when you book.
Food and amenities
The 4th-floor rooftop is the thing guests talk about most — it looks straight out over Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables, and it is at its best at sunset in summer. The same 4th-floor common area has sofas and tables, which makes it an easy place to flop after a full day out. The shared kitchen is on the small side and gets crowded at peak times, roughly 7-9am and 6-8pm in high season. Wi-Fi is free throughout the building.
Location and getting there
The central location is the real strength. It is a 3-minute walk to Beach Street and its bars and restaurants, about 5 minutes to the lakefront, and roughly 5 minutes to Queenstown Mall. That makes it ideal for backpackers who want to get around on foot without a car, and to dip into Queenstown's nightlife without a long walk home. Queenstown Airport is about a 15-minute drive or a shuttle bus.
Things to know before booking
This is a pod, not a private room — you share the bathrooms and kitchen with everyone else. The windowless rooms are usually cheaper but dark and poorly ventilated, so spend a little more for one with a window if you sleep light. And the kitchen genuinely backs up at breakfast and dinner in high season, so plan your cooking around the rush.
Our take
LyLo Queenstown is the best fit for budget backpackers who want a central base for as little as possible. If basic privacy from a screen matters more to you than a room with a door, and you are happy to share a bathroom and kitchen, it does the job well — especially for solo travelers who want to meet people and catch that lake view from the rooftop without paying for it.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Each capsule has a privacy screen down the side, a reading light and a private power outlet — far more private than a typical open hostel dorm.
- The 4th-floor rooftop is the standout: it looks straight out over Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables, and reviews single it out as the best part of staying here.
- Central location — a 3-minute walk to Beach Street and about 5 minutes to the lakefront, so you can do most of Queenstown on foot.
- The cheapest pick in this group, with rates from around $23 a night, which makes it an easy call for backpackers watching their budget.
- Friendly staff who are good with local tips, from where to eat on Beach Street to lining up day trips.
- Some rooms have no window at all, so air doesn't move and they stay dark all day — ask for one with natural light when you book.
- The shared kitchen is small and gets crowded at peak times, roughly 7-9am and 6-8pm in high season.
- You share the bathrooms and kitchen with other guests, so this is a private pod, not a private room — fine if you came for the price and the social side, less so if you want to shut a door on the world.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Queenstown
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Queenstown — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
See activities in QueenstownAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
- Book a pod or room that is listed as having a window. The windowless ones are usually cheaper, but they are dark and stuffy, which can wreck your sleep if you are sensitive to that.
- Head up to the 4th-floor rooftop around sunset — roughly 8:30-9pm in summer — for the best lake light, and get there about 20 minutes early, because the space is small and popular.
- If you cook, hit the shared kitchen outside the 7-9am and 6-8pm rush so you are not fighting for a stove top in peak season.