The Dairy Private Hotel

Couples of all ages, including skiers, are drawn to The Dairy Private Hotel, a farmhouse-style property in a central location. Situated in a cluster of wood and masonry buildings on a quiet road, this modern-rustic hotel is a small and intimate property with a charming, casual atmosphere. The breakfast room is in a vintage, roadside storefront with a chalkboard menu and black-and-white striped high-back chairs. There are overstuffed, saddle-leather sofas and armchairs in the fire-lit reception and honesty bar lounge, and there's a small library as well. Prime gathering spots are outdoors, either on a terrace with a stone fireplace, or in a cushioned wooden chair around the hot tub, which sits above ground and overlooks a mountain vista. The hotel draws both couples and families, but only children 12 and older are allowed.

Perched up a steep drive on a quiet, residential street, The Dairy Private Hotel is just a five-minute walk from downtown Queenstown. For naturalists, the Kiwi Birdlife Park is a four-minute walk away. The Skyline Queenstown Gondola is also four minutes away on foot. It's six minutes by car or 58 minutes on public transportation to the Ben Lomond Scenic Reserve. Nearby golf courses include Jack's Point Golf Course, which is a 22-minute drive, and Queenstown Golf Course, which can be reached in 26 minutes. It's about a 40-minute drive to Skipper's Canyon for white water rafting. The Queenstown Airport is around a 12-minute drive or 25 minutes by public transportation.  

Guest rooms are simply but stylishly furnished with dark, slatted-wood blinds and desks, complemented by earth toned pinch pleat drapes. Broad headboards in a coppery mesh pattern are paired with chocolate-brown bed skirts and ceramic lamps. All of the rooms have free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, alarm clock radios, phones, minibars, coffee- and tea-making facilities, safes, and fans, but no air-conditioning. Guests enjoy the house-made cookies, which are replenished throughout their stay. The bathrooms are spacious and high ceilinged, with white subway tiles and modern chrome fittings, including a heated towel rack. Deep soaking tubs have adjustable showerheads and glass shields. Hairdryers, robes, slippers, and Molton Brown toiletries are included. 

Some guests say the rooms at The Dairy Private Hotel are a bit tight in terms of space. They range from 226 square feet (21 square meters) for the smallest room with limited views, to 322 square feet (30 square meters) for the most expensive room with a private balcony and views of the mountains and lake. The property also includes apartments with fully equipped kitchens, four bedrooms, and two baths. 

This small hotel doesn't have too much in the way of facilities, but some thoughtful amenities are offered, including a free welcome glass of Champagne served upon arrival in the fire-lit lounge. The cozy library is stocked with books and magazines that are available for guest use. The lounge, which includes a computer station and a fireplace, has an honesty bar. A free breakfast buffet is served in a retro storefront, and includes cooked-to-order foods, pitchers of fresh juices, homemade porridge, baked goods, fruit, and yogurt. Though there's no full restaurant, the kitchen will also put together gourmet food baskets for a fee.

Outside, there is a terrace with a fireplace and a mountain-view terrace with a hot tub. Other features include a drying room for ski equipment, mountain bikes to borrow, and free luggage storage. Laundry and dry cleaning services are available for a fee. Entry to the buildings is via pin code. Some guests remark that there aren't enough parking spaces, plus some complain of noise issues from the nearby fire station. The property is handicapped accessible and limited to guests 12 years and older.