Alta Apartments

Apartment 11B had no windows apart from the entrance door. The lighting was mixed colors and so dim it was like having only two or three lighters. It felt cold the whole time we were there in mid-November, and the room heater was nearly useless. We left the very loud bathroom heater running all night, like a dying walrus, and by around 4am the apartment had become too hot. The shower curtain was mouldy, and three runs of the room’s drier on its highest setting still left our clothes soaking. Outside, the so-called view was of a derelict house, with a slippery, broken path toward the industrial Carpark, which had spectacularly low ceilings. To be frank, this was one of the most depressing, dank apartments we’ve ever come across. We paid $800 for four nights, which felt about $795 too much. Being allocated 11B was like winning the lottery in hell. The apartment seemed to have been split in two: A had windows and apparently some kind of view, while B felt like the subterranean caves where the famous Crab People live. We were incredibly disappointed as soon as we checked in. The room didn’t match the advertising, and appeared in only two of the more than 140 property listing photos. We contacted the property managers to try to cancel or shorten our booking, but they were incredibly inflexible and refused all our options. My guess is they’re used to this kind of response. At best, this place is a scam; at worst, a hellhole. It absolutely killed the vibe of our holiday. We immediately found somewhere else to stay and forfeited the $800 we’d paid. Do not stay here.

The lounge fireplace and surround sound were a hit, and the kitchen had everything needed to cook. The lounge also had amazing views. There are three levels, though only two are usable, with the bedrooms on the middle floor. It suited two couples sharing well. Getting into town takes about 10 minutes on foot and can feel tiring. The TV was a bit small and dated, and one more bathroom would have made this a five-star stay.

We arrived to find the garage flooded, then had to climb several flights of stairs to reach the apartment on one of two upper levels. The stairwell felt more like a city car park than part of a home. Inside, the furniture was dated and falling apart: the couch sagged, and the coffee table and dining chairs were chipped. From the main bedroom, the view was of a derelict house. The place was overpriced and the most depressing apartment I’ve stayed in. It completely ruined our holiday, and we’re giving up our $1400 to stay somewhere else. I can’t understand the other reviews. Don’t stay here.

The apartments were clean and modern, with roomy bedrooms and a nice shared space. It took around 10-15 minutes to walk into downtown Queenstown. Having laundry included in the rental was especially handy. Highly recommend.