Gay Friendly Accommodation Wanaka

Guide to Gay Friendly Hotels in Wanaka New Zealand (2024 Updated)

New Zealand is rated one of the most “inclusive and progressive” gayfriendly travel destinations in the world by Lonely Planet. Wanaka, including has a few gay friendly hotels Wanaka to accommodate during your stay in New Zealand.

The Wellington Pride Festival is an annual festival held in Wellington, New Zealand . Wellington Pride Festival is the capital’s annual queer festival. Comprising of many community events over a two week period.

Wanaka, a resort town on New Zealand’s South Island, is set on the southern end of its namesake lake with views of snow capped mountains. It’s the gateway to the Southern Alps’ Mount Aspiring National Park, a wilderness of glaciers, beech forests and alpine lakes. Treble Cone and Cardrona ski resorts are near the park. Just outside the town is the outdoor maze and sculpture gallery of Puzzling World.

 

Top attractions to visit in Wanaka

Wanaka is famous for its slightly weird and wacky attractions so be sure to give these a go: Puzzling World – The Illusion Rooms, Puzzle Centre and Maze will leave you baffled! National Transport and Toy Museum – visit the largest collection of toys in the Southern Hemisphere.

 

 Best tours in Wanaka

 

1. Edgewater Hotel 4*  – Gay Friendly Hotels Wanaka

Edgewater Hotel
Edgewater Hotel

Edgewater is located on the edge of Lake Wanaka, only 2 km from Wanaka town centre. The property offers picturesque lake views, a day spa, a sauna and a tennis courtStaff are able to converse in English and Chinese.

The hotel has a restaurant and a café, both offering lake views. Guests can enjoy great New Zealand cuisine and a wide range of regional wines. Chinese options for breakfast are available.

Element Edgewater Day Spa is located on-site with stunning views of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding Mountains. It offers a variety of massage, beauty and spa treatments. Kayaking on the lake can be arranged, as well as mountain biking in the surrounding countryside

Edgewater lies right at the water’s edge of Lake Wanaka. It is the perfect destination for you to experience all that Central Otago’s seasons have to offer. Our long, hot summers fade slowly into beautiful autumn colours, before the clear mountain air promises snow and crisp winter days. As the snowfalls melt, spring returns with its lush, bright greens.

At Edgewater we have genuine local knowledge that complements our inviting accommodation and enticing seasonal menu. Since Covid 19 has swept the world, we stringently follow NZ Government directives to be welcome guests safely. We are fortunate to be located within a park-like setting and we have no lifts. We can unlock the very best Wanaka experiences, tailored for you. Edgewater is a four star Qualmark graded property situated on the edge of Lake Wanaka. Come and touch the seasons at Edgewater.

Amazing location right on the waterfront but still private. Top floor room offered great views of the lake.

Great to have sauna and spa facilities, perfect for the winter months.

Location: Very nice neighbourhood overlooking the lake. It’s a pleasant 30 mins walk (or 5 mins drive) to town where you pass by the Wanaka tree and are able to take some amazing photos.

Room: We were in a 1 bedroom apartment. Beautiful views of the lake. I could just sit on the balcony and take in the views and fresh air the whole day on a sunny day.

The room itself was very pleasant. Bed was nice and firm. We liked relaxing on the multiple sofas in the living room, and seating by the windows reading a book.

The resort is located about an hour and 15-minute drive north of Queenstown, New Zealand. Have your cameras ready for the drive. You are in for quite the views your trip from Queenstown to Wanaka! The directions were simple and the resort was easy to find. The includes some windy hills up through the mountains with breathtaking views. We used a GPS unit in our hire care, but the resort would be easy enough to find using a map.

There is a lovely café adjacent to the main lobby with inside and outside dining.

The Master bedroom and bath were located upstairs. There were night stands and a decent sized dresser. There was also a small balcony overlooking the hotel grounds with the lake and mountains in the background. The second bedroom was downstairs. It had two single beds, a dresser and good size closet. A full bath was located downstairs.

The suite opened up to a large room with a full kitchen, dining area and living/family area. There was also a patio (al fresco) out back with chairs and table.

Kitchen: The kitchen has everything you could possibly need including dishwasher, stove, oven, microwave, hot water pot, dishes, cups, plates, cutlery, bowls, cooking utensils, pots, pans, etc etc. I can’t even begin to list everything. If you need it, it’s probably in the kitchen.

Living room/entertainment: The living area included a full size sleeper sofa and two side chairs. There’s medium size (42 inch) TV, DVD player and small stereo. There are only 10 “cable” channels so don’t expect to have much variety. With all the great things to do and see, you won’t have time to watch TV anyway.

Internet: The rooms have access to WiFi. Each room gets access to free WiFi for up to 5 devices and 1Gb for the week. You can also upgrade to several convenient programs.

Biking: Each timeshare guest has access to free bicycles and helmets. We were very surprised to see such a large selection of quality bicycles. There were bikes for male, female, adult, children, etc. There was even an air pump to top off the tires before you took off for the day. Each hotel guest is given a key to unlock the bikes which are stored undercover and a large bike rack.

Laundry: Each room is equipped with a washer and dryer. They were exactly located in convenient locations, but it wasn’t that big of a deal for us. The washer was tucked under the stairwell and accessed from within the downstairs bathroom. The dryer was located in the outside storage room. The unit came with a starter set of laundry detergent, but if you expect to do more than one load of laundry you will have to pick up a small box of detergent at the supermarket.

The hotel was very nice, our suite had everything we needed, and the location was perfect. As some reviewers have stated, the hotel is getting a little old and is need of some updates and renovations, but the hotel staff does a great job maintaining the place. Our 2 bedroom suite felt like our home away from home. Anyone choosing to stay here will be quite pleased. Enjoy!

Gay Friendly Hotels Wanaka
Gay Friendly Hotels Wanaka

How much does a room costs at Edgewater Hotel Wanaka ?

Prices start 140 $/night for Studio with Lake View. The Two-Bedroom Apartment with Lake View is 310$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This apartment features a separate lounge and dining area, a well-equipped kitchenette, 2 bathrooms and laundry facilities. Complimentary toothbrushes and toothpaste are available on request.

Where to book online – Edgewater Hotel – Gay Friendly Hotels Wanaka you can find the best hotels deals in Wanaka during Wanaka Festival of Colour which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Wanaka on Booking.com or  Trip.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

2. Hawea Hotel 4*Gay Friendly Hotels Wanaka

Hawea Hotel
Hawea Hotel

Hawea Hotel is located just 15 minutes’ drive from the township of Wanaka and is set on the lake front of Lake Hawea. All guest rooms, as well as the on-site restaurant and bar, feature beautiful lake and mountain views.

Situated between the West Coast and Central Otago, you can enjoy the tranquility of the hotel or use as a base for skiing, fishing or hiking. The hotel is located around a 30-minute drive from ski fields including Cardrona and Treble Cone or a 50-minute drive from Snow Farm, where you can go cross-country skiing.

The rooms include a flat-screen TV, private bathroom, a desk and a seating area.

The Lake Hawea Hotel is located in one of New Zealand’s most popular holiday regions, with outstanding lake and mountain views. With only a short drive to Wanaka, Queenstown or the West Coast, it is the ideal place to relax and unwind. Join us at Lake Hawea Hotel for your family holiday, romantic getaway, function/school camp location or corporate retreat. We have three levels of accommodation, a restaurant and bars, an enviable lake location and activities galore!

There is always something on the go at Hawea, with fishing competitions, top music line ups and various competitions and championships. Accommodation to suit all budgets and group sizes – hotel, budget backpacker lodge, Restaurant – a la carte, buffet and takeaway. Huge garden bar, enclosed outdoor area and pool tables.

We stayed in Lake Hawea, and at first we were apprehensive about being outside of Wanaka, however once we got to Lake Hawea we fell in love with the location. It was nice to be away from the hustle and bustle of tourists in Wanaka, and it was an easy 15 minute drive in when we wanted to go there. Our room had a stunning view, and there is a track that goes part way around the lake that you can walk, run or ride on – with constant stunning lake views!

Lake Hawea is a stunning setting and provided the perfect backdrop for the wedding we were attending letter in the day. Although a little dated the setting for the Hotel is postcard perfect and continues to transform throughout the day. Not far from Queenstown and is easy reach of Wanaka if you want. The bar and restaurant are great for a bit of fun with friends or a quiet drink.

Our room had an epic view of Lake Hawea and we were thrilled to see it by the moonlight (and during sunrise) in the comfort of our beds.

The views from our room and the hotel across the lake are nothing short of stunning with the turquoise blue waters and majestic mountain ranges extending into the distance.

Hawea is a nice quiet village, only ten minutes drive from Wanaka. The hotel has a good restaurant, bar, laundry facilities. WiFi is thrown in, although the signal is a bit weak in parts. Head towards reception and it gets stronger. Great value hotel, much better prices than many parts. Wine list in the restaurant is a bit pricey from memory, but some good stuff on there.

We stayed for one night at Lake Hawea in a Kind Bed Deluxe Studio with lake views after our drive through the Haast Pass. We were pleasantly surprised when checking in and opening the door to find a large room with amazing views of the lake out the floor to ceiling windows, with a nice balcony too. The room was equipped with all you would need, with a large comfortable bed and big modern bathroom. There was a plug-in fragrance unit in the bathroom which I had to remove as the smell was so strong and over-powering, but after taking it out it settled quickly.

We had dinner and breakfast at the restaurant and were seated by the window both times. Dinner was excellent, the salmon salad starter we had with our mains was by far the best salad either of us had ever ordered. We found ourselves noting down the ingredients just to recreate it at home. Breakfast was reasonable, however it was meant to start at 8am and there was nobody around at that time.

Overall much better than expected, with gorgeous views out of a large comfortable room.

Gay Friendly Accommodation Wanaka
Gay Friendly Accommodation Wanaka

How much does a room costs at Hawea Hotel ?

Prices start 109 $/night for King  Room with Lake View.

Refurbished suite with a private balcony offering amazing lake views. Each suite has tea/coffee making facilities, private bathroom and ironing facilities.

Where to book online – Hawea Hotel – Gay Friendly Accommodation Wanaka you can find the best hotels deals in Wanaka during Wanaka Festival of Colour which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Wanaka on Booking.com or  Trip.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

3. Ramada Resort by Wyndham Wanaka 4*Gay Friendly Hotels Wanaka

Ramada Resort by Wyndham Wanaka
Ramada Resort by Wyndham Wanaka

Featuring a heated pool with water slide (seasonal), plus a hot tub and a sauna, this resort is just 700 m from the shores of Lake Wanaka. Facilities include a cafe and bar, plus satellite TV in all rooms.

Each suite and apartment at Ramada Resort by Wyndham Wanaka includes a kitchenette or full kitchen facilities, LCD TV, and a private balcony or courtyard. All have an en suite bathroom with a shower, or a shower over a bathtub.

The cafe and bar are open each morning and evening. Guests also have access to a fitness centre, BBQ area with seating and self-service laundry facilities.

Ramada Resort Wanaka is nestled on a quiet street just a short stroll from Lake Wanaka and the heart of the village. Recently refurbished rooms ensure you will be comfortable, offering a range of room types ideal for both relaxation and entertaining family and friends. The resort boasts superb facilities including a heated pool with water slide (seasonal), hot tub, sauna and barbecue area, as well as a café & bar. Lake Wanaka, located in the heart of the Southern Alps, is the ideal base for your holiday adventure. It offers something for everyone all year round including an abundance of activities and attractions, as well as breathtaking mountains, glaciers, rivers & lakes.

The village offers a relaxed lifestyle – the perfect place to unwind or seek adventure. About an hour’s drive from Queenstown, Wanaka is near a number of excellent ski areas such as Treble Cone and Cardrona. Extreme sports lovers have the opportunity to go canyoning, eco-rafting, kayaking, mountaineering, rock climbing and so much more. Warmer weather provides a myriad of activities including golf courses, hiking, walking, vineyards and water sports on Lake Wanaka. The area is a natural paradise close to awe-inspiring wonders including Mount Aspiring National Park, Rob Roy Glacier and the Clutha River.

Lovely accommodation away from the business of the town centre but easy access to all amenities and access roads. Loved the hot pool after completing water based adventures. Beds comfy and room clean.

We had a one bedroom apartment which was really big and spacious! The heated floors in the bathroom was a nice luxury and it kept the bathroom very warm. Kitchen was well equipped with lots of storage.

Hotel is a bit outside of town but still within walking distance (less than 10 minutes walk from city center). Hotel has 2 floors without elevator. Exterior might looks not that good but interior is recently renovated with large size room.

Resupplies of essentials like tea, coffee, toilet paper, washing powder and free tokens for washing machines and dryers were readily provided without question or charge.

Rooms were spacious and nicely furnished with a very comfortable king bed.
On site bar and “restaurant” were very convenient however perhaps a wider choice of meals could be considered. Buffet breakfast were more than ample with a cheap upgrade option for a hot breakfast.

We stayed in a one bedroom unit and it had everything we needed for our stay. King bed had a great mattress with an electric warming pad and nice linens. Furnishings were comfortable and everything was well maintained. Our view from the terrace was of gorgeous mountains. The bathroom was nice, complete with heated tile floor and invigorating shower head. The kitchenette was quite complete and, unless you wanted to bake cookies, complete.

A tranquil setting with trees, swimming pool, spa pool, Bar, happy hour, all the usual services. 3 kms from town centre, 10 minute walk to the lake. Plenty of parking near guest rooms.
It is on the road to Mt Aspiring, but the traffic is light and non existent at night. Rooms are clean, modern and quiet.

Free WiFi, and plenty of TV channels. Frig, and Microwave oven, king bed, and one single. No Air con., but ceiling fan was nice. North facing patio with each room, 5 star BBQ and outdoor fire facilities.

Very good value for money!

Gay Friendly Hotels Wanaka
Gay Friendly Hotels Wanaka

How much does a room costs at Ramada Resort by Wyndham Wanaka ?

Prices start 121 $/night for King Bed Studio.

This studio has a balcony, flat-screen TV and electric kettle.

Where to book online – Ramada Resort by Wyndham Wanaka – LGBT Gay Friendly Wanaka you can find the best hotels deals in Wanaka during Wanaka Festival of Colour which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Wanaka on Booking.com or  Trip.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

by Sorin

Sorin is a freelance travel writer. He is an experienced travel writer and traveller. Since 2012 he explored more than 60 countries on 4 continents: Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. Currently is based in Romania after spending the last 7 years in Myanmar.