Queenstown is breathtaking and Fiona is an excellent host. The house is beautiful, both architecturally and in terms of atmosphere, and most of all in terms of the view that it has of the opposite side of Lake Wakatipu (as a bonus, the house is on the sunny side of the lake, ensuring that the notably bright Queenstown sun keeps it warm during the day!)

The house is stocked with lots of extra amenities to keep guests cozy for the duration of their stay. The wood stove was well-appreciated during our stay, and the house comes stocked with a nearly endless supply of dry wood. Lots of foodstuffs are on hand for cooking breakfast and eating it in the light-filled den. One of the best assets of this place is the garden, where the profusion of plants and flowers that grow well in Queenstown- subtropical oleander next to alpine rhododendrons- are always providing some colour. While we were there, lots of dahlias, agapanthus, lycoris, some rhododendrons, and others were in evidence, as well as lots of berries.

Queenstown itself is a bit of a drive away, about 15 minutes, and a rental car is recommended if you are going to stay here. For reaching other close-by locations (we liked Arrowtown for walking around the mountain- Sawpit Gully trail highly recommended if you don’t mind a quite strenuous hike) it’s also quite convenient, as they seem to be reached via the roundabouts near the airport. Closer by, there is a really lovely trail that passes the house about fifty meters down the hill, via which you can walk the entire lakefront from Frankton to the golf course, which sits on a lovely peninsula opposite Queenstown itself.

All in all, highly recommended.