We stayed for a week end of August after driving from Greymouth via glaciers, Wanaka, skiing Treble Cone going down to Te Anau for glow worms and Milford Sound trip, returning to Queenstown from Te Anau and using Queenstown as a base to do some adventurous things without the need for a car (apart from a day which we hired one).
We arrived early and were able to check in to our room which was a great relief after traveling so long with kids.
We were able to use the valet parking for our rental car which we were to return in a couple of hours. So we settled into our room, freshened up and returned our hire car to Thrifty and walked back yo our hotel.
Our room we were told had “partial” views, but there was nothing partial about them at all! We had full view of The Remarkables, Lake Wakatipu and the town from our balcony in 702 on the added on 7th floor.
We had to catch a lift to floor 6, then walk up stairs to level 7 but this was definitely not an issue for us as we are an active family. In fact the boys asked to not use the lifts at all on several occasions and we walked up to our room from the foyer using the stairs (who needs a stair master on holidays!)
The room had two double beds and adequate space surrounding. There was s bar fridge, iron, hairdryer, etc. all the usual and a kettle.
Two small bottles of water and two chocolates were provided daily. The room was serviced (tidied) whilst we were out and the boys particularly liked how their cuddlies were arranged on their bed. Nice touch.
The rooms were modern and clean. The bathroom had a bath, nice long mirror with good lighting. The shower had good pressure. They were replacing old carpet on the stairs up to our room for a couple of days, but this didn’t inconvenience us and the carpet layers were very courteous and apologetic.
They were replacing old carpet on the stairs up to our room for a couple of days, but this didn’t inconvenience us and the carpet layers were very courteous and apologetic.
We had the included buffet breakfast each morning. And this was only time we ate at Crowne Plaza as so many options in Queenstown we wanted to try.
This was delicious, there were options of an egg station, but order early as in my case when I did order, I’d practically finished my meal when they were brought to table and there was only one other family and an individual in restaurant when I placed my order. There is a good variety of breads (
There is a good variety of breads (gf on request), mini danishes, fresh fruit, a juicer to make your own juice, pre made juices, yoghurt, small bircher muesli pots, boxed cereals, Swiss style muesli which you can add things like nuts and dried dates to, chicken sausages, lamb sausages(delicious!), streaky bacon, fried tomatoes, baked beans, scrambled eggs, variety of spreads including Nutella, there was an Asian section with fried rice, and two varieties of soups, kimchi and other condiments and a deli section with salami, cold meats and slices of cheese.
Although the food was very nice, no complaints there, I would have liked to see a few changes or additions as after a week I became a little bored. I think having pancakes as a standard buffet inclusion would be great…especially for children, our children although we paid for buffet, did not find much they wanted…pancakes they would have had one or two and been very happy and satisfied.
The coffee was lovely and we ordered one with breakfast every morning with soy and syrup. Service was great too. We mostly sat near fire with view out to the Remarkables.
The concierge were very polite and helpful when we had questions.
Crowne Plaza is situated within walking distance to Queenstown’s town centre, the wharf is across the road and it’s an easy walk all around. The Gondola is within walking distance too, up a steep hill but we liked the walk up there and did it twice, once to the bird life park and another when we went on the gondola for the luge and buffet lunch at Stratosphere (amazing).
We loved our stay at Crowne Plaza and would definitely stay again.
