Queenstown is Stealing the Spotlight That’s Great News for Accommodation Investors
- Staircase Financial
- Sep 8
- 3 min read
If there’s one place in New Zealand that seems to be on everyone’s lips right now, it’s Queenstown. Not just because of the jaw-dropping scenery (though it’s hard to beat snow-capped peaks meeting deep blue lakes), but because the town is constantly popping up in global headlines and award lists.
And here’s the thing: when the world pays attention to Queenstown, visitors follow. And when visitors flood in, smart investors see opportunity.
Global Accolades Keep Rolling In
Just this year alone Queenstown has received the following significant accolades:
Travel + Leisure – World’s Best Awards
The following year, Queenstown was ranked the fourth best city in Australia–New Zealand–South Pacific in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2025. Even more importantly, it was inducted into the Hall of Fame for consistently high scores over three years running. When global readers repeatedly vote a small alpine town into the top five alongside Sydney and Melbourne, it sends a clear message: demand is not a one-off trend, it’s enduring. That repeat visitation fills accommodation stock year after year.
Amisfield Restaurant was named the third best restaurant in the world.
Yes, the world. That’s not just a win for Amisfield, it’s a win for Queenstown. International food lovers will literally travel across oceans for an experience like that, and where do they stay while they’re here? Boutique hotels, lodges, Airbnb’s, serviced apartments, in other words, accommodation that investors can own.
On top of that, Amisfield Restaurant broke into the World’s 50 Best Restaurants extended list, debuting at No. 99. It marked the first time any New Zealand restaurant had ever appeared on this prestigious ranking. The international media coverage from Vogue to CNN Travel turned the spotlight not just on Amisfield, but on Queenstown as a global culinary hotspot. Food driven travellers don’t just fly in for dinner; they stay the weekend or longer, in accommodation that investors provide.
Experiences That Stand Out
It’s not just food making waves. Queenstown is racking up awards for tourism experiences too.
Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice
To round out 2025, Queenstown businesses scooped up Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best awards. Boutique hotels like The Dairy Private Hotel and Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel ranked in the platform’s top 1% globally, while attractions such as the Skyline Gondola and Shotover Jet were again listed among the Top 10 Experiences in the South Pacific.
These crowd sourced accolades matter because they’re based on millions of traveller reviews, proof that visitors consistently love what they find here. That visitor loyalty feeds directly into strong occupancy and repeat bookings.
These stories mean a lot because they show that Queenstown isn’t just about adrenaline sports, it’s about quality, sustainability, and experiences that people remember and talk about long after they’ve gone home.
Tourism Numbers Are Soaring
Awards and media attention are translating into real visitor numbers. In 2023, tourism employment in the Queenstown-Lakes district jumped nearly 50% in a single year, an extraordinary growth rate compared to the rest of New Zealand.
Luxury travel is booming too: bespoke experiences, wellness retreats, and high-end lodges are all seeing double-digit growth.
That kind of demand puts pressure on accommodation supply and when supply lags behind demand, investors who own the right properties are the ones who benefit.
Accommodation That Matches the Buzz
Queenstown’s accommodation market has matured alongside its reputation. From boutique heritage gems like Hulbert House, to modern luxury resorts and Airbnb’s with million-dollar views, there’s no shortage of styles for visitors. But what’s key is this: occupancy rates are being driven upward by international recognition.
When Queenstown is making global headlines, whether for food, sustainability, or lifestyle it means more eyes on the town, more bookings, and ultimately higher yields for investors.
Why Now is the Time to Pay Attention
Queenstown has always been beautiful, but right now it’s also globally relevant. It’s winning awards, trending in travel media, and attracting the kinds of visitors who don’t just come once they come back, and they spend big when they do.
That combination of natural beauty, world-class recognition, and surging visitor numbers makes Queenstown one of the most compelling places in New Zealand to consider investing in visitor accommodation.
If you’ve been thinking about property investment, this is a moment worth exploring. The headlines aren’t slowing down, and neither is the visitor demand.
Curious about how to take advantage of Queenstown’s booming reputation? Let’s chat. We’ll walk you through the opportunities available right now and show you how you can position yourself to benefit as Queenstown continues to shine on the world stage.
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