Staying at the Wanaka Luxury Apartments

Wanaka Luxury Apartments are situated in a quiet street a few minutes' stroll from the lake. Photo / Supplied

Eveline Harvey and her family check into a cosy and well-appointed apartment in beautiful Central Otago.

Getting there: Less than 15 minutes' drive from Wanaka Airport, or about an hour from Queenstown Airport, via the Crown Range road.

Check-in experience? Seamless. I waited in the car with the toddler while hubby checked us in and he was back with the key in a jiffy.

Room? Well, "rooms" to be exact. We had a two-level, two-bedroom apartment. The sleeping quarters and bathrooms were upstairs, with an open-plan kitchen/dining/living-room area stretching the length of the downstairs storey.

Noise? Just an extreme buffeting of wind as a front swept across the valley one night. The threat of fines for excess noise after 10pm, as outlined in the house rules book, is obviously doing the trick.

Price? From $269 for the two-bedroom apartment. Other apartments start at anywhere from $140 to $440 per night and sleep between two and seven people.

What's so good about this place? It's in a quiet residential area away from Wanaka's shops and restaurants, but still only a few minutes' walk to the lake. There was a lovely gas fireplace in the living room and a Miele espresso machine in the kitchen, so we could get a proper caffeine fix any time. Some views of the hills that surround this gorgeous town — they looked especially pretty with a fresh dusting of snow. The outdoor spa in the centre of the complex was brilliant and there's a larger pool for use in summer. Underfloor heating makes all the difference during a Central Otago winter.

The open-plan living area and gas fire make for a cosy retreat. Photo / Supplied

And the bad? Because of the apartment's long, narrow layout, the downstairs was fairly dark and required artificial lighting even during the day. The lack of a downstairs bathroom might bug some.

What's in the neighbourhood? Easy access to the Cardrona and Snow Farm ski areas and the road to Mt Aspiring National Park. The Wanaka Squash Club is just around the corner, St Columba's Anglican Church is within strolling distance, Lone Star Cafe & Restaurant is a short drive back along the Cardrona Valley Road.

Toiletries? A selection of lovely NZ-made Koha Spa products.

Photos: Wanaka Luxury Apartments

An outdoor pool and spa sit in the centre of the complex. Photo / Supplied

The bed? Super comfy and warm — the electric blanket had even been turned on in anticipation of our arrival. It was quite high off the ground which some might not like, but as parents of a young 'un it was welcome because it meant he couldn't clamber in uninvited.

A room with a view? Limited from our apartment, but this whole town's a picture postcard really.

Bathroom? A small ensuite with a strong shower off the main bedroom was perfectly adequate. The main bathroom was more spacious, though we didn't use it.

Perfect for? Families or groups of friends headed to the ski fields — provided they keep the noise down at night.

Would I return? Without question.

CHECKLIST

Wanaka Luxury Apartments are at 8 Stonebrook Drive, Wanaka. Phone: 03 443 4943.