Queenstown's most luxurious holiday homes

When a hotel won’t suffice, some of New Zealand’s most extraordinary homes can be booked for a first-class break.

With luxury experiences often high on the agenda for visitors to the Southern Lakes, the quality of the home-away-from-home holiday rental properties available is unlike anywhere else in the country.

Queenstown, Arrowtown and Wānaka offer a distinct portfolio of high-end, short-term rental homes, more than 70 of which are managed by NZSIR Luxury Rentals. With a nightly rate that can sometimes surpass $10,000, the crème de la crème of NZ’s private holiday retreats feature everything from rare artworks and custom-designed furniture to wellness-inspired amenities such as hot tubs, saunas, massage or yoga rooms and private gyms.

NZSIR Luxury Rentals general manager Sam Skipper says the company’s exquisite collection of homes offer visitors the chance to experience an indulgent lifestyle, even if just for a few nights.

"These properties offer an immersion into an exceptional way of life, unlike any other accommodation experience,” she says. “Our holiday homes are sanctuaries which are specifically designed to elevate every moment of a holiday. They provide an escape from the ordinary, where you can relax in complete privacy.”

Part of the appeal of booking via NZSIR Luxury Rentals is the concierge service provided to all guests. Additional extras such as a personal chef to create culinary delights every evening or access to a prestigious vehicle and chauffeur can be arranged, while other popular requests include in-home beauty treatments or a pantry stocked with local delicacies on arrival.

“It’s really exciting and rewarding for us to be able to provide those personal details and anticipate the needs of our guests,” says Sam. “It’s a fully bespoke service.”

 

The coveted collection: a glimpse inside some of the Southern Lakes’ most beautiful holiday homes

 

Cascata, Queenstown

From $4000 per night. 

Set upon three levels connected via a glass elevator, the five-bedroom, four-bathroom Cascata is sumptuous in every way, from the plush furniture to the striking lake and mountain views. The outdoor living of this property well and truly sets it apart; it has a private waterfall and reflection pond, an outdoor pizza oven and teppanyaki grill, and a hot tub and sauna.

 

Falconridge, Jacks Point


From $3000 per night.

Quiet, private and proximate to one of the world’s most scenic golf courses and walking trails, Falconridge is an elegant base for guests who enjoy being active in the day and relaxing in the evening. Each of the four bedrooms is complemented by a high-spec ensuite bathroom and there are multiple living areas and a media room to wind down the day.

 

Hideaway on Warren, Wānaka

From $1490 per night.

Private and peaceful – yet just a couple of blocks away from the centre of Wānaka – Hideaway on Warren and its unexpected, chic interior design is a dream example of a lock-up-and-leave holiday sanctuary. With four bedrooms sleeping up to eight guests, the open-plan kitchen and living area frames some of the best views in Wānaka.

 

Riverbank Luxury, Wānaka

From $2650 per night.

An expansive home sleeping up to 14 guests, spread across six bedrooms and a quaint pool house, this Wānaka holiday home is a private mini resort. The large inground heated pool and spa – both showcasing mountain views – are a focal point of the property in summer, while the state-of-the-art kitchen is a hub for visitors to mingle over a Central Otago pinot noir in the cooler months.