Novotel Queenstown Lakeside
by the TopOfHotel team
Novotel Lakeside is the best-located 4-star in town — it really is on the lake itself, not set back from it.
Novotel Lakeside is the best-located 4-star in town — it really is on the lake itself, not set back from it.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The lake-view rooms are the thing guests bring up most — they look out at The Remarkables reflected on Lake Wakatipu in the morning light, and most rooms have a balcony or large windows. The furnishing is standard Novotel: simple and functional, with reviewers praising the comfortable beds and clean linen. That said, some 2025–2026 reviews note the decor in parts of the rooms is starting to feel dated and due for a refresh, and a few bathrooms run small for a 4-star. The easy fix is to book a Lake View room on the 3rd floor or higher.
Food and amenities
Breakfast draws consistent praise in 2026 reviews — a varied spread of hot food and continental, with fresh fruit, yogurt, eggs made to order, and bakery items. Eating it beside the lake is something several guests called the best value of their trip. The in-house Aqua restaurant serves dinner with a lake view, and staff are mentioned positively across many reviews, both for being friendly and for helping arrange local activities. Wi-Fi is free throughout the building.
Location and getting there
This is the main thing that sets Novotel Lakeside apart — it is a 2-minute walk to Beach Street, the town's main eating and shopping strip, a 5-minute walk to Queenstown Mall, and a 5-minute walk to the TSS Earnslaw pier. The Skyline Gondola is about 12–15 minutes on foot or a short hop on the local bus, and the airport is roughly a 15-minute drive. It suits anyone who wants to walk out of the hotel and be in the middle of things straight away.
Things to know before booking
The trade-off for the location is that some rooms are not brand-new — 2025–2026 reviews flag dated decor in places and a few small bathrooms with fewer amenities than newer hotels. The lake view also is not automatic: lower-floor and street-side rooms have it partly blocked by shrubs and the walkway, so book a Lake View room on the 3rd floor or higher to be sure. Parking exists but is limited and may carry an extra charge.
Our take
Novotel Queenstown Lakeside is the best pick for couples and families who want the strongest location in the 4-star price band. If a lake view and easy walking into town are what matter, it answers that very well — you just have to accept that some rooms are not as fresh as newer hotels. For travelers who plan to head out early and come back late, a genuinely lakefront base at this price is hard to find.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Sits right on Lake Wakatipu, with the mountains reflected beautifully on the water — a view reviewers single out as the highlight of the stay.
- A 2-minute walk to Beach Street and the main shopping and restaurant strip, so you step out of the hotel and into the action.
- Breakfast is praised consistently in recent reviews — a varied spread of hot food and continental, eaten beside the lake.
- Friendly staff who give good local tips and help arrange activities.
- Family-friendly, with some room types that sleep 3 or more.
- Some rooms are reviewed as dated and due for an interior refresh, with 2025–2026 guests noting the decor is starting to show.
- Some bathrooms run small and have fewer amenities than you'd find at newer hotels in town.
- Lower-floor and street-side rooms have the lake view partly blocked by shrubs and the walkway, so the water view is not guaranteed unless you book up high.
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.
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Insider Tips
- Book a Lake View room on the 3rd floor or higher for a direct lake view — street-side or lower-floor rooms have the view blocked by shrubs and the walkway.
- The hotel's Aqua restaurant serves dinner with a lake view — reserve a window table on the water side at least a day ahead, especially in high season.
- If a true lakefront wake-up is the priority, this building is genuinely on the water rather than a few blocks back, so it is worth paying up for a water-view room over a cheaper street-side one.