Eichardt’s Private Hotel

Eichardt's Private Hotel stands on Marine Parade at the heart of the Queenstown waterfront, on the very spot where the town began. In 1860 and 1861 William Gilbert Rees, the area's first European settler, built a woolshed here as the first structure in the settlement, and the hotel's main building now stands on its site. After gold was found in the Shotover River in November 1862, Rees converted the woolshed into a hotel called the Queen's Arms. Albert Eichardt became proprietor in 1866, and by 1869 it was Eichardt's Queen's Arms Hotel, later shortened to Eichardt's Private Hotel. It has welcomed travellers since 1861.

The history goes beyond the building. After Albert died in 1882, his wife Julia ran the hotel until her death in 1892, when the town closed for the afternoon of her funeral. She is credited with bringing electricity to the hotel, making it the first building in Queenstown to have it. The hotel is a Category 2 historic place listed with Heritage New Zealand, and an expansion in 2016 on the site of the old stables added two Lake View Suites, the Penthouse and The Grille restaurant.

Today Eichardt's is a small luxury hotel with eight suites, alongside The Penthouse and further accommodation in its Earl St and The Residence buildings. Suites have large balconies, gas fireplaces and heated bathroom floors, and the service includes breakfast and a turndown. The hotel was awarded One MICHELIN Key in 2026, a distinction it has held for two consecutive years.

Eating and drinking are on the doorstep. Eichardt's Bar is a lakeside bar known for its cocktails, with sofas by the fire, and The Grille restaurant has waterfront views. The Well Spa provides treatments, and the hotel arranges signature experiences, including adventure activities, and hosts weddings, private dining and corporate events.

The location could hardly be more central, on the lakefront in the oldest part of town, and Botswana Butchery is also on Marine Parade. Eichardt's suits couples, honeymooners and travellers who want character and history as well as luxury. With so few suites, it is wise to book well ahead.