Lake Room · Rākau Alpine Retreat, Sunshine Bay

A cosy queen room with views of Lake Wakatipu and the mountains, in our Sunshine Bay home.



The Lake Room gives you a private space to relax, with the warmth and character of a timber house around you. It’s a comfortable base for couples or solo travellers exploring Queenstown.



You’re welcome to cook in the shared kitchen, enjoy a meal at the dining table or settle into the lounge overlooking the lake. High timber ceilings, original art and plants give the house a relaxed, homely feel.



Linen, towels, heating and Wi-Fi are included. The kitchen, living areas and bathroom with a bathtub are shared with your hosts and any guests staying in Ember. Our dog and cat live here too.



We’re happy to share local tips or have a chat, while giving you plenty of space to enjoy your stay.



Rākau shares the house with a working tattoo studio, up on the mezzanine. You might catch the quiet hum of a machine or see a fresh design taking shape on the drawing table. If you've been thinking about marking your trip with something permanent, you can book a session directly with the studio.



Your stay includes free access to the sauna and spa at Ora Retreat, our sister property nearby, so you can warm up after a day on the trails or the slopes. Bookings are required.



Your room is private and has its own lock. The kitchen, dining area, lounge, garden and the bathroom with a bathtub are shared with your host and any guests staying in the Ember Room. The upstairs living area and the creative studio are private. A free self-serve continental breakfast is set out each morning, and a massage with a local therapist can be requested on your arrival form, by appointment and charged separately.



Your host, Parth, lives here and is happy to share local tips or have a chat, while giving you plenty of space to do your own thing. Before you arrive, you'll receive a short arrival form and your check-in details. Messages are answered promptly.



Sunshine Bay is a quiet residential pocket on the hillside west of Queenstown, on the road towards Glenorchy. Mornings are slow here: the lake below, Cecil Peak and Walter Peak across the water, and very little traffic. Central Queenstown's restaurants, gondola and waterfront are a short drive away.



Good amount of off-street parking next to the property.



- Yuki the dog and Monkey the cat live here and wander the shared spaces, so expect a little pet hair. This isn't the right stay if you're allergic to pets.

- There is one bathroom, shared by the household.

- It's a timber house, so sound carries between rooms. Please keep voices and music soft in the evenings.

- The studio runs by appointment, so there may be occasional studio visitors.

- Rākau is a hosted home rather than a spa: there's no hot tub, sauna or yoga on site.

- The garden sits on a hillside and is not fully fenced.

- This is a quiet, hosted home: no parties or events.

- Guests' pets can't stay, as Yuki and Monkey live here. Assistance animals are welcome.