Queenstown's Hidden Gem: Settlers Cottage Motel - Unforgettable Stay!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (or should I say, the free Wi-Fi tea?) on Settlers Cottage Motel – Queenstown's Hidden Gem! This isn't your average cookie-cutter review, folks. Nah. This is going to be a sweaty, messy, completely honest chronicle of my stay. I'm talking the good, the bad, the slightly-burnt toast of travel experiences.
First Impressions (The Road In…And My Own Roadblocks):
Okay, Queenstown. Stunning. Seriously, jaw-droppingly gorgeous. You practically need a therapy session before you arrive, just to deal with the sheer beauty overload. Finding Settlers Cottage? Well, that’s where the "hidden gem" part comes in. It took me a hot minute. My GPS, bless it, likes to take scenic detours, and I may have had a minor existential crisis when I ended up on a gravel road convinced I’d accidentally wandered into a sheep shearing convention. (Turns out, the sheep convention was a different adventure). But hey, that's the charm, right? It's off the beaten path! You want to be close to Queenstown but actually escape it? This is it. Just… maybe pack a better map than I did.
Accessibility & Safety – Because, You Know, Living Isn't Optional:
Right, getting down to brass tacks. Accessibility. Listen, I don't have mobility issues, but I do appreciate a place that thinks about everyone. And Settlers Cottage seems to. They have Facilities for Disabled Guests, which is super important. More on that when I talk about the parking (free, by the way!), but knowing everyone is considered is a huge plus.
Safety-wise? They’re ON IT. CCTV in common areas and outside, 24-hour front desk and security? Check, check, check. I even saw Fire Extinguishers in the hallways – which admittedly, I'm glad I didn't need, but knowing they’re there is reassuring. And smoke alarms. Smart. Very smart. Safety first, folks, especially if you're clumsier than I am (which is saying something). They're also big on hygiene and Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, and even Professional-grade sanitizing services. I mean, after the last few years, you hope a place is doing this, and Settlers Cottage definitely is.
The Room – My Little Sanctuary (Even With My Stuff Everywhere):
Okay, the rooms. Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
My room… oh, my room. I’m a control freak when it comes to my travel space. But this room was… perfect. Seriously. It had everything. That Free Wi-Fi was a lifesaver (especially since I used it to plan my next meal and catch up on cat videos). The blackout curtains were a godsend – I like to sleep till noon, don’t judge! The coffee/tea maker meant I could stumble out of bed and immediately shove caffeine into my system. And the complimentary tea? Well, it's New Zealand, I had to take a taste of it. The extra-long bed was heavenly, and the non-smoking was ideal (even for a smoker, I hate smelling bad). The desk was great for working on (i.e. Instagram stuff). Cleanliness? Impeccable. I'm talking, "I'm afraid to leave a sock on the floor" clean. The slippers were a nice touch, and I practically lived in the bathrobe. (Don't judge, again!). I also have to love the fact that they have free, bottled water. The best.
I'm an idiot and somehow managed to lock myself out of the safe box, though, but let's blame user error, not the motel.
Dining & Drinks – Fueling the Adventure (and My Carb Addiction):
Right, food. Essential. Settlers Cottage has a Restaurant! They do Breakfast [Buffet]… and Asian breakfast! Plus Breakfast in room if you're feeling lazy (guilty!). They also have Coffee/tea in restaurant. Honestly, if you told me I could live on coffee and carbs for a week, I might consider it. I didn't get a chance to try everything (so much food, so little time!), but what I did taste was delicious. They also have room service 24-hour. Yes, please. My travel buddy and I ordered a bottle of wine at Happy hour and sat on the terrace, watching the sunset. Perfection. Snack bar for my late-night cravings. They do take their Sanitized kitchen and tableware items seriously. I didn't feel like death would be on my plate. Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant, and International cuisine in restaurant. Great options.
Things to Do (And, You Know, Relax):
Okay, here’s where it gets interesting. Queenstown is all about the adventure. And Settlers Cottage is perfectly positioned to be your basecamp. Plus, they have Facilities for disabled guests. The Swimming pool [outdoor] looked amazing. If I had the time, I would have jumped in. They don't have a Pool with view. But they do have a Concierge to help you plan your activities, and a Gift/souvenir shop if you want to avoid that last-minute airport panic buying. They have Breakfast takeaway service, which I appreciate!
Services & Conveniences – Making Life Easy (And Me, Lazy):
This is where Settlers Cottage shines. They have a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, dry cleaning, and laundry service. Cash withdrawal is available, Currency exchange to if you're coming from elsewhere! They even have a convenience store. Seriously, they've thought of everything! Contactless check-in/out these days is pretty much essential, in my book. Daily housekeeping (bless them!). And Free car park. They have even got a Car power charging station.
For the Kids & For Romance:
I didn't travel with kids, but I saw some families there, and the Family/child friendly is legit. Babysitting service is available as well. They also have a couple's room and are a Proposal spot. (Aw!).
Getting Around – Making the Scenic Route Less Stressful:
They offer Airport transfer, which is huge after a long flight. And they also do Taxi service. They also have Car park [on-site] and Car park [free of charge].
The Really, Really Good Stuff (Anecdotes and Opinions):
Okay, here's the honest part. Honestly, I had a small hiccup. My first room had a slightly wonky doorknob, and I was a little worried it would lock me out (again, user error is a definite possibility). But then, I have to tip my hat to the staff (it's so easy to find good staff!). The woman at the front desk (I wish I remembered her name!), fixed it immediately. And she was so incredibly nice. And the elevator was smooth and fast. The elevator was smooth and fast. The elevator was smooth and fast.
I think what really sold me on Settlers Cottage was the vibe. This place just feels good. It’s not some sterile hotel chain. It’s… cozy. Relaxed. And, honestly, the sort of place where you just want to hang out.
The Verdict (The Stream of Consciousness Conclusion):
Look, would I go back? Absolutely. I’M ALREADY PLANNING MY RETURN. Settlers Cottage Motel isn't perfect – no place is – but it's damn close. It's comfortable. It's clean. It’s got everything you need and nothing you don’t. And it truly feels like a… well, a hidden gem. Forget the cookie-cutter hotels, and book this place. Just do it. You won’t regret it. Seriously. You’ll be thanking me later. And if you see the slightly disheveled woman in the bathrobe wandering
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Queenstown: Settlers Cottage – A Rambling, Slightly Disorganized, But Ultimately Glorious Adventure (Attempting to be a Schedule)
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your meticulously planned, perfectly-executed travel brochure. This is Queenstown, baby, filtered through the lens of a slightly sleep-deprived, coffee-dependent human who just wants to feel something. And right now? I'm feeling the anticipation of glorious chaos.
Pre-Queenstown Ramblings (Because, you know, pre-flight anxieties…)
- Day 0 (Okay, technically Before Day 1): The airport. Ugh. Seriously, the airport. Endless queues, questionable pre-packaged sandwiches, and a general sense of dread that only air travel can inspire. But hey, at least I'm going somewhere! Mentally, I'm already in the mountains, breathing that crisp, pure New Zealand air. Though, I also just realised I might have forgotten to pack socks. Dammit.
Day 1: Settling In, Stumbling Around, & The Majesty of a Mountain (Maybe)
- Morning (7:00 AM -ish, if I can actually pry myself out of bed): Arrive in Queenstown. Actually finding Settlers Cottage Motel proves to be a minor, pre-coffee existential crisis. Google Maps, bless its heart, is occasionally a liar. Eventually, after a near-miss with a particularly aggressive goose, I triumphantly find my little cottage. It's adorable! Charmingly rustic with a fireplace that I suspect will be utterly useless (but hey, ambiance!). The view from the window? Jaw-dropping. Lake Wakatipu shimmering, the Remarkables looming… swoon.
- Late Morning (9:00 AM -ish, Post-Coffee): Unpack, settle in, take a million photos of the cottage because I'm convinced I'll forget the magic the moment I leave. Grumble about the lack of USB charging ports because, you know, modern life is hard.
- Lunch (12:00 PM -ish, whenever hunger pangs strike): Aiming for Fergburger. Everyone raves about Fergburger. I have prepared myself for a queue that stretches to the moon. Prepare for disappointment if it's gone. Prepare for food-induced euphoria should I be successful. Or maybe I'll just wander into the first cafe that smells of bacon. Priorities.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM -ish): Attempt to orient myself. A walk along the lakefront is on the agenda. Take in the scenery, the people (I fully expect to spend a considerable amount of time listening to terrible busker renditions of the Beatles), and the general vibe of this ridiculously beautiful place. Hopefully, avoid falling in the lake. My balance is notoriously dodgy, especially after a big burger.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening (5:00 PM -ish): Gondola ride up Bob's Peak. Everyone says it's a MUST. I'm mildly terrified of heights, but the views are apparently worth it. Will probably clutch onto the handrail like a life raft. Pray for good weather because, you know, even I can't make the clouds part.
- Evening (7:00 PM -ish): Dinner at… (Insert restaurant research here – I'm genuinely terrible at making firm decisions). Something cozy. Something with a view. Something that serves wine. Maybe find a local band to enjoy while eating. Afterwards, a quiet walk back to the cottage. Maybe light the (probably useless) fireplace and pretend I'm a rugged adventurer. Hopefully, I don't set the place on fire.
- Night (10:00 PM -ish): Collapse into bed, exhausted but exhilarated. Start mentally planning tomorrow, which will involve a hike if I don't succumb to post-burger sloth. Perhaps. Maybe. We'll see what the coffee delivers, and if I still have energy for the mountains.
Day 2: The Great Hike & The Great (or Maybe Not-So-Great) Adventure
- Morning (8:00 AM -ish): Wake up. Assess the damage. Evaluate how sore my legs are from yesterday's… whatever-I-did. Coffee. Lots of coffee. Then, a decision: hike or lie in bed and binge-watch something on Netflix. The mountains are calling, but Netflix is so comfy. We'll see.
- Mid-Morning (9:30 AM -ish): Okay, fine. Hike. The Bennett's Bluff Track. I've heard it's amazing. Pack snacks (because, you know, hangry hiker is a dangerous hiker). Pack water (because, you know, dehydrated hiker is an embarrassing hiker). Pack sunscreen (because I am basically a vampire in the daylight, and burn instantly).
- Lunch (12:00 PM -ish On the Hiking Track): Mid-hike break with a sandwich and whatever snack I think is appropriate. Gaze at the view from the top. Take a photo of the view! Enjoy the quiet (assuming I haven't tripped over a root and broken an ankle). Appreciate the silence of the mountains.
- Late Afternoon (3:00 PM -ish) Maybe: Hike down. Exhausted but triumphant. Buy a celebratory ice cream. Or possibly two. I deserve it.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening (5:00 PM -ish): Consider white water rafting. Consider it, shudder, and then immediately go back to the idea of a hot shower. Maybe.
- Evening (7:00 PM -ish): Dinner at a cozy pub. Beer. Hearty food. Complain about the hike (in a good way). Debrief the day with anyone who will listen. Tell them about the views. Tell them about the ice cream.
- Night (9:00 PM -ish): Early night. I'm going to need a nap to recover from all of this.
Day 3: More (or potentially less) Activities and the looming shadows of departure
- Full Day: More activities, some downtime, the inevitable feeling of sadness as the trip gets close to end. I might be going to a winery, might to bungee jumping, might to more hiking, or might continue napping. I don't know yet. The day is open. The cottage, however, will be occupied.
Day 4: Departure – Sobbing Internally
- Morning (whenever I can face reality): Pack. Sigh. Stare longingly out the window at the mountains, wondering if I can possibly stay forever. (Probably not, I have to go back to work).
- Late Morning: One last breakfast. One last wander along the lake. One last attempt to memorize every single detail of this gorgeous place.
- Lunch: A final Fergburger (if queues are still manageable).
- Afternoon: Head to the airport with a heavy heart and even heavier luggage (filled with souvenirs I probably don't need). Start planning my return even as I board the plane.
Post-Trip Ramblings (Months Later, Probably):
- Remember that time I almost fell off the gondola? God, those views were worth it.
- And the burger? Oh, that burger…
- And the hike? Okay, so I might have slightly exaggerated how easy it was…
- But mostly, I remember the feeling. The freedom. The beauty. The magic of Queenstown. And I can't wait to go back.
- Also, I really should have bought those socks.
Queenstown's Settlers Cottage Motel: You've Got Questions, We've (Maybe) Got Answers! (And a Few Tales to Tell)
So, what *is* the big deal about this Settlers Cottage place anyway? Is it actually 'unforgettable' like the ads blare?
Okay, okay, let’s be real. ‘Unforgettable’ is a word that gets thrown around like confetti at a wedding. But... yeah, in this case, it kinda fits. I mean, I stayed there last year, and I still remember the *smell* of the woodsmoke from the little fireplace. And the *silence*. My first trip to Queenstown turned into a cacophony of adrenaline-fueled activities, and I just needed a break. Honestly, walking into my cottage after a day of paragliding... it was pure bliss. Forget the slick hotels on the waterfront, this place feels like you've accidentally stumbled into a Hobbit hole – in the best possible way. It's not perfect (more on that later, oh yes, more), but it's real. You can *feel* the history oozing from the walls. And yes, the advertisers are right; I'm still dreaming the details.
What kind of rooms are we talking about? Are they cozy? Cramped? Like, should I bring a hazmat suit?
Cozy, yes. Cramped... well, that depends on how much baggage you bring (both literally and figuratively, let's be honest, because some of us bring a lot of baggage!). They're cottages, people! Don't expect a minimalist Scandinavian design aesthetic here. Think quaint, rustic, and with that delightful smell of old wood paneling (which, admittedly, might be a little more 'rustic' than some people prefer). I stayed in the one with the fireplace, and the living room had a super-comfy couch – perfect for collapsing after a hard day of… well, anything fun in Queenstown. My only real complaint? The bathroom was a little bit small, but hey, you're not there to live in the bathroom, are you? (Unless you're me on a particularly bad hair day, in which case... well, good luck.) Absolutely no hazmat suit needed – unless you're terrified of charm.
Is it noisy? I need peace and quiet! Can I *actually* sleep?
Okay, this is where Settlers Cottage really shines. Queenstown, by its very nature, is a… *busy* place. But Settlers? It's tucked away. It's tucked *way* away. (I swear, I thought I took a wrong turn down a gravel road at one point). It's incredibly peaceful. I slept like a baby – which is saying something, considering I usually wake up at every creak of the floorboards. The only noise I remember hearing was the occasional kiwi calling in the distance. That's right, a kiwi! I mean, I didn't see one (sad face), but the *idea* of a kiwi nearby… it's pretty cool. So yes, you can sleep. Gloriously, wonderfully, peacefully sleep. You'd have to be trying to be noisy to be a nuisance.
How far is it from the town center? I don't want to be stranded!
This is a bit of a trade-off, right? Peace and quiet vs. convenient proximity to the hustle and bustle. Settlers is a short drive (maybe 5-7 minutes) from the town center. I’d recommend having a car, or be prepared for a taxi or Uber. Walking? Eh… It's doable, but might not be the most enjoyable after a long day of adventure. It's not *isolated*, mind you. You're still easily accessible – just not right in the middle of all the madness. If you're okay with a few minutes of driving, the peace and quiet are *totally* worth it. I should have probably mentioned how the taxis were, at times, nearly impossible to get. Another slight imperfection. Still, worth it.
What about breakfast? Is there a restaurant? Or do I need to fend for myself?
Okay, here’s where things get a little... DIY. There’s no on-site restaurant. You’re on your own for breakfast. Some rooms have basic kitchen facilities – a microwave, a kettle, sometimes even a stovetop. They *do* leave a small basket with tea, coffee, and some biscuits, which is nice. So, you can go all-out chef, get up and have a picnic, or just get ready to eat instant noodles. I opted for the latter out of pure laziness and a budget that was fast running dry. I highly recommend hitting up a grocery store and stocking up before you arrive; it’s the most sensible option! Think of this as a chance to channel your inner domestic goddess (or, you know, your inner instant ramen enthusiast, like me). One time I remember buying a loaf of bread just to grill it over the fireplace. It was amazing! It gets you close to nature, you know.
Is it family-friendly?
I didn't have kids with me, so I can't speak from personal experience (thankfully). But I did see families there, and the cottages seemed perfectly suited for it. The space is great for kids running around. The relaxed atmosphere is perfect for families that just want to chill out - or even get some sleep. The location is far enough from the town center for kids, but close enough to everything for parents.
Do they have Wi-Fi? (Because, let's be honest, I *need* to stay connected, even on vacation.)
Yes, they do. And it *works*! I mean, it's not lightning-fast fiber optic, but it's good enough to check emails, stream a little Netflix, and, you know, post those envy-inducing Instagram photos. But honestly? I found myself using it less. The whole vibe of the place encourages you to *disconnect*. To breathe. To actually, you know, *enjoy* the surroundings. It’s a welcome change from the relentless connectivity of modern life. But yes, the Wi-Fi's there if you need it. Don't tell anyone, but sometimes I found myself working on my laptop in the couch, while the fireplace burned so I wouldn't have to keep my internet off, completely forgetting the original reason for my visit.
Okay, okay, you mentioned imperfections. Spill the tea! What *didn't* you love?
Alright, alright, let's be real. The cottage I stayed in had a dodgy light in the bathroom. Flickered like a dying firefly. Annoying, yes. Dealbreaker? Nope. The bathroom was a bit small, I've already said that. And, if I *really* had to nitpick, the pillows weren't the most luxurious things on earth. But honestly? Those minor annoyances faded into insignificance when I was sitting by that fireplace, with a glass of wineBlog Hotel Search Site
