ASURE Queenstown Gateway Apartments

We booked at the last minute, and the staff were patient while my credit card was causing trouble. The place was clean and had the expected amenities, and its position between downtown and the airport was convenient. From the side window of the second bedroom, we could see near the lake. I'd recommend it to a friend.

Finding another place at such short notice was difficult, especially since our flights and everything else were already booked. The owners cancelled our reservation at the last minute, saying the credit card was invalid, but I believe they did it so they could rent the room to someone else at a higher price. The card was working. If payment had really been the issue, they could have contacted us to arrange another method. I also checked the website to see whether the room had become available for a new booking, but it hadn't. I have no excuse for what feels like a scammy way to run a business.

Don't stay here. The appliances were dirty, there was no hot water, the ashtrays were filthy, and the furniture looked like it had been rescued from a council clean-up. The owner, or "host," was abusive and aggressive. I called the after-hours number for help with the hot water and got a stream of abuse. I was threatened with having my family thrown out in the middle of the night. With so many angry customers saying they've been cheated, how is this operator still allowed to carry on? An absolute disgrace to New Zealand hospitality.

People whose bookings were turned down may have got lucky. The location is great, but the place itself is shabby and grubby. The blinds are broken and won't close properly, and the bathroom door handle doesn't work. The last guests must have cooked a strongly spiced curry, because the whole place needs a deep clean. I took photos of the stove before and after cleaning it with the very limited supplies provided. That showed nobody had tried to clean it. I can't believe it's rated four stars. Bring your own cleaning products if you decide to risk staying here.