Wanaka Hotel
by the TopOfHotel team
Wanaka Hotel is a 3-star with a great hilltop spot, lake views and prices you can actually reach.
Wanaka Hotel is a 3-star with a great hilltop spot, lake views and prices you can actually reach.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Wanaka Hotel is a 3-star on a rise in the middle of town, which is the whole point — you get Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps in view from several spots, both rooms and restaurant. The rooms themselves are simple but clean and do the job; some look out over the lake, and those are the ones reviewers single out. Don't expect premium touches — this is a budget-tier room with the basics covered.
Food and amenities
There's a restaurant and bar on site, which makes dinner easy after a long day out without having to head back into town. Reviews of the food land in the middle — decent enough at a fair price, but not the best meal in town. There's free Wi-Fi, and the bar downstairs keeps things lively. What there isn't is a pool, so this is a place to sleep and refuel, not to lounge around.
Location and getting there
The central position is the strongest card. From the hotel it's about a 5-minute walk to the lake, the restaurants and the supermarket — genuinely handy if you don't have a car. It scores 8.2/10 on Booking.com and 8.0 on Agoda, which is a good showing for the 3-star tier.
Things to know before booking
Two things to weigh. First, it's a 3-star, so the rooms are basic and there are no premium extras. Second, there's no pool, which makes it a poor fit if relaxing at the hotel is part of the plan. The kitchen is fine rather than great, so go into town when you want a proper meal.
Our take
Best for travellers who want a good location on a budget and expect to spend most of their time out — Roy's Peak, Treble Cone or Puzzling World — rather than at the hotel. If you want a pool or a spa, look higher up the list; if you just want a central, affordable base with a view, this delivers.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Good location in the middle of Wanaka — easy walking distance to the lake and the restaurants.
- Lake and Southern Alps views from some of the rooms and from the hotel restaurant.
- There's a restaurant and bar on site, so you don't have to head out for every meal.
- Reasonable price for a central address — rooms start around $71 a night.
- Scores 8.2/10 on Booking.com, which is solid for a 3-star, and the hilltop position is the draw.
- It's a 3-star, so the rooms are basic with none of the premium extras you'd get higher up the list.
- No pool — better suited to people who plan to be out sightseeing than those who want to relax at the hotel.
- The in-house kitchen gets middling reviews — decent enough at a fair price, but not the best food in town.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Wanaka
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Wanaka — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
See activities in WanakaAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
- Ask for a room facing the lake — the lake-view rooms are the ones reviewers single out.
- Use the on-site bar and restaurant for a low-effort dinner after a long day, but go into town if you want the best meal.
- Base yourself here and spend your days out at Roy's Peak, Treble Cone or Puzzling World rather than at the hotel.