Sherwood Queenstown
by the TopOfHotel team
Sherwood is an eco-boutique where the restaurant is the real draw — built for travelers who want nature and good food over a central address.
Sherwood is an eco-boutique where the restaurant is the real draw — built for travelers who want nature and good food over a central address.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Sherwood Queenstown is an eco-boutique with a clear identity that sets it apart from everything else on this list — it is not in the centre of town, it is a place you come to slow down, ringed by trees, gardens and open nature about 8 minutes' drive out. Rooms are done in a tasteful eco-modern style built from natural materials — wood, stone and linen — that feel connected to the setting without reading as dull or dated. Most are spacious, get good natural light and carry real character. Reviewers call them clean and pleasant, though a few note that some bathrooms are awkwardly laid out and could use minor updating. For the price, the rooms hold a good standard.
Food and amenities
The thing guests talk about most is the restaurant. It runs a serious farm-to-table approach on local New Zealand produce, with a creative menu that shifts by season. Reviews praise the taste, the presentation and a careful wine selection from Central Otago vineyards. The cocktail list earns its own compliments. The gardens give you a relaxing spot for morning coffee or an evening drink, Wi-Fi is free throughout, and there is parking on site.
Location and getting there
Sherwood sits between the airport and town — ideal for the first day, when you have just landed and want to unwind, or the last day before a flight. To reach the centre you drive or take a taxi, about 8 minutes and roughly US$9–12 each way. It works better for guests with a rental car than for anyone counting on walking everywhere.
Things to know before booking
This is not a walk-out-the-door-into-the-action hotel — you will need a car or taxi for every trip into town. Parking gets crowded at the peak of the season. And while the rooms are well rated, a handful of reviews flag bathrooms that could use a refresh, so set expectations on the practical side rather than the polished-luxury side.
Our take
Sherwood is the best pick here for travelers who want a natural setting and excellent local food, with a real chance to rest, at a price that is not high — couples and solo travelers especially, anyone keen to escape the bustle of a town-centre hotel. If you have a rental car and you value a good food experience and pretty surroundings over a convenient address, this is the one.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- The farm-to-table restaurant draws the most praise of anything here — local New Zealand produce and a creative, seasonal menu that reviewers single out for both taste and presentation.
- A natural garden setting wraps the whole property, which makes it more relaxing than a city-centre hotel and a good spot for morning coffee or an evening drink.
- Rooms are spacious, clean and full of character, with natural materials and good natural light.
- The location midway to the airport is handy for your first and last day, when you want to land and unwind or leave early without a long drive.
- The wine list, drawn from Central Otago vineyards, and the cocktail list both earn praise in reviews.
- You need a car or taxi to reach town, about 8 minutes each way, which is inconvenient if you do not have your own wheels.
- Parking gets crowded at the peak of the tourist season.
- A few reviews note that some bathrooms are awkwardly laid out and could use minor updating, though rooms are well rated overall for the price.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Queenstown
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Insider Tips
- The Sherwood restaurant is open to non-guests, so you can eat here even if you stay elsewhere. The menu changes with the seasons, so always book a table ahead — especially for dinner in high season.
- Because Sherwood sits midway between the airport and town, it is an easy last-night base for an early flight, saving you a pre-dawn drive in from the centre.
- If you do not have a rental car, use Uber or a Queenstown operator like Green Cabs for the run into town, which costs roughly US$9–12 each way.