Haka House Queenstown Lakefront is the budget pick with a view that money usually buys. It sits on Lake Esplanade on the western side of town, right across the road from Lake Wakatipu, and it was known for many years as YHA Queenstown Lakefront before joining the Haka House group. The rooms are simple but modern. Dorm beds come with privacy curtains, personal reading lights and charging points, so you get a little space of your own, and private rooms with a queen bed suit couples and solo travellers who want a door to close. The shared lounges and dining areas are the highlight, with lake views you can enjoy over breakfast or while planning the next day’s adventure, and they are good places to meet other travellers heading to Milford Sound or the bungy. The hostel holds a Qualmark Silver rating, reception is open from 8am to 8pm every day, and guests must be 18 or over. The lakefront walk into the centre takes about ten minutes.
Location and getting around: Lake Esplanade runs along the water west of the town centre, so the walk to Steamer Wharf, the Mall and the adventure shuttles on Shotover Street is flat, scenic and about ten minutes. From the airport, about 9.5 kilometres away, take the number 1 bus towards Fernhill and get off outside the Rydges hotel, two minutes’ walk from the door. Most Milford Sound coach tours offer pick-ups in central Queenstown.
Rooms: choose a dorm if you are travelling solo on a tight budget, or a private queen room if you value privacy. Rates rise in the high season from November to April and fall from May to October, so a November stay is near the start of the busy period.
Who it suits: backpackers, solo travellers and budget-minded couples who want to spend their money on jet boats and skydives rather than the room. It is not suitable for families, as guests must be 18 or over.
Good to know: reception keeps set hours, so let the team know if you will arrive after 8pm. Check the cancellation terms when you book, and reserve early for summer and the ski season, when Queenstown’s budget beds fill fast.
Why stay here
- ✓Dorms with privacy curtains
- ✓Private queen rooms
- ✓Personal reading lights
- ✓Bedside charging points
- ✓Lake-view lounges
- ✓Shared dining areas
- ✓Reception 8am to 8pm
- ✓Qualmark Silver rated
Good questions
Is Haka House Queenstown Lakefront the old YHA?+
Yes, it was formerly YHA Queenstown Lakefront and now trades as Haka House. It is at the same address on Lake Esplanade.
Can families stay at Haka House Queenstown Lakefront?+
No, guests must be 18 or over. Families should look at the Novotel or Crowne Plaza instead.
How far is Haka House Lakefront from the town centre?+
It is about a ten-minute walk along the lakefront into central Queenstown. The number 1 bus from the airport stops about two minutes away.