Must-see hotels in New Zealand

  • Pen-y-bryn Lodge

    Dunedin & Otago

    Well-travelled foodie owners have thoroughly revitalised this beautiful 1889 residence and continue to upgrade. There are two rooms in the main house but…

  • Theatre Royal Hotel

    The West Coast

    Themed around colourful figures from Kumara's past, rooms at this beautifully restored 1876 pub are reason enough to stay in town. We especially loved the…

  • XSPOT

    Hauraki Gulf Islands

    Great Barrier's most spectacular accommodation option is also one of its more remote. A 25-minute drive from Tryphena – rent a 4WD vehicle – XSPOT is a…

  • Acacia Cliffs Lodge

    Taupo

    Three of the contemporarily and artfully designed suites at this luxurious B&B, high above Acacia Bay, have the best bed views in Taupō – you'll probably…

  • Prince's Gate Hotel

    Rotorua

    This grand building constructed from NZ's most cherished wood, kauri, sits directly outside the Government Gardens’ main Prince’s Gate, and began life in…

  • Waitahanui Lodge

    Taupo

    Ten kilometres south of Taupō, these five 1920s-style beach shacks are beautifully modern inside and ideally positioned for swimming, fishing and superb…

  • Mohua Park

    Fiordland & Southland

    Situated on the edge of a peaceful 14-hectare nature reserve (7km off the highway), these four spacious self-contained cottages offer peace, quiet and…

  • Koura Lodge

    Rotorua

    Secluded on swanky Kawaha Point, this upmarket lodge features spacious rooms and suites, and a two-bedroom apartment. Decks and balconies provide lake…

  • Ruapehu Country Lodge

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Around 5km west of Ōhakune on the road to Raetihi, this B&B is the perfect combination of country elegance and classy decor. Large bedrooms have beautiful…

  • Poshtel

    Dunedin & Otago

    Anyone for polo? Crammed with sporty vintage collectables in themed rooms (like the Steeplechase room or the Antarctic Explorer Suite), this plush new…

  • Vicarage

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    Housed in a restored Anglican vicarage, this charming boutique hotel is a very relaxing place to stay. Named after former vicars of Geraldine, the seven…

  • The Lake

    Taupo

    Step onto the set of Mad Men at this retro-fitted boutique motel crammed with furniture from the era's signature designers. There are four one-bedroom…

  • Kiwiesque

    Napier

    Located in rural Eskdale, around 18km north of Napier, superstylish Kiwiesque overlooks apple trees and expansive vineyards. For freewheeling travellers,…

  • Franklin 38

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    Four gloriously sophisticated suites fill this spacious and sunny two-storey villa that was undoubtedly one of Ponsonby's finest homes in earlier times…

  • Lakestone Lodge

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    Daytime views from Lakestone Lodge's spectacular hilltop location include Lake Pukaki and alpine peaks, and there's a guests-only opportunity to survey…

  • Terminus Hotel

    Dunedin

    This late-Victorian building always had great bones, with its high ceilings and arched windows, but owners Steve and Antonia have worked makeover magic…

  • Fossil Bay Lodge

    Waiheke Island

    Three cabins face the main building, which houses the communal toilets, kitchen and living area, and a compact self-contained upstairs apartment. …

  • Earthstead

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    In a rural setting a short drive south of Cambridge, Earthstead has two units – Earth House and Cob Cottage – constructed using ecofriendly and…

  • Millbrook Resort

    Queenstown & Wanaka

    Further from Arrowtown in aesthetics than kilometres, this massive manicured resort is a town unto itself. Rooms range from studios to luxury homes…

  • Eco Villa

    Christchurch

    There are only eight rooms in this beautifully renovated villa, each individually decorated with luxe fittings and muted colours. The lovely shared lounge…

  • QT Wellington

    Wellington

    Formerly known as ‘Museum Hotel de Wheels’ (to make way for Te Papa, it was rolled here from its original location 120m away), this five-storey, art…

  • Ara Roa

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    This collection of five different architecturally striking properties dotted around a coastal peninsula ranges from the two-bedroom Te Huia – with sunset…

  • Slope Point Accommodation

    Fiordland & Southland

    In the midst of a working farm 4km north of Slope Point, this family-run accommodation plunges you into the rhythms of rural life: calf-feeding time,…

  • Waiheke Dreams

    Waiheke Island

    Dream a little dream of a luxurious, modern, spacious, open-plan two-bedroom house on the crest of a hill with unsurpassed views over Oneroa Bay and the…

  • Ascot Parnell

    Parnell & Newmarket

    The Ascot's three luxurious bedrooms share a spacious apartment in a modern mid-rise block. You're in no danger of stumbling into the owners' private…

  • City Cottages

    Wellington

    These two tiny 1880 cottages squat amid a precious historic precinct at the top of Cuba St. These days they're self-contained one-bedroom affairs,…

  • Ohtel

    Wellington

    Ever feel like you've walked into a design magazine? This bijou hotel has 10 individually decorated rooms over four levels, with immersive NZ scenes…

  • YHA Wellington City

    Wellington

    There's an old bit and a new bit at this trusty YHA, but both are spick and span – and both score points for fantastic communal areas, big kitchens and…

  • Hotel Montreal

    Christchurch

    Handy to all the city sights and Victoria St's restaurants, this upmarket hotel occupies a revamped apartment building. Swanky suites are boldly styled in…

  • Newhaven Holiday Park

    Fiordland & Southland

    This exemplary holiday park is on an incredible beach at the entrance to Surat Bay, 5km from Owaka, where sea lion pups can be spotted in December and…

  • Adventure Queenstown

    Queenstown

    Run by experienced travellers (as the photos displayed throughout testify), this central hostel has spotless dorms, a modern kitchen and balconies that…

  • Observation Rock Lodge

    Fiordland & Southland

    Secluded in bird-filled bush, and angled for sea, sunset and aurora views, are three stylish, luxurious rooms with private decks and a shared lounge…

  • Aspiring Lofts

    Wanaka

    Perched on a rise overlooking the lake, this modern house has two upmarket rooms in the loft above the garage. Each has its own private balcony to make…

  • Harbour View Motel

    Tauranga

    This near-harbour-front home conversion is a haven of soft sounds and soft colours sitting quietly below the main road. Its one-bedroom, self-contained…

  • Mangawhai Chalets

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    There's a Cape Cod feel to the three stylishly decked-out cedar chalets positioned in the lavender-filled garden behind the friendly owners' designer…

  • Southern Comfort Backpackers

    Fiordland & Southland

    A mix of snug and swish, this large Victorian house has a lounge with a fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen and peaceful gardens. Adding to the perks are…

  • Wanaka Haven

    Wanaka

    Luxurious B&Bs seem to be constantly sprouting in the Wānaka countryside. This one has the advantage of gorgeous views over manicured lawns to the…

  • Ross Beach Top 10

    The West Coast

    Perched on a ruggedly beautiful stretch of windswept beach, 2km northwest of Ross, this holiday park has plenty of space for tents and motorhomes, as well…

  • Woodbank Park Cottages

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    Nestled among the trees, these two plush cottages are a six-minute drive from Hanmer but feel a million miles away. Decor is crisp and modern, with wrap…

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