Must-see hotels in North Island

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Aroha Mountain Lodge

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    Spread over two lovely Edwardian villas on the hillside above town, the plush Mountain Lodge offers affordable luxury (so much nicer than a regular motel)…

  • Bow Street Studios

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    With a waterfront location right in town, Bow Street has self-contained studios and a historic cottage. The cool and chic decor is stylish and relaxing…

  • Piha Beachstay – Jandal Palace

    Auckland Region

    Attractive and ecofriendly, this wood-and-glass lodge has extremely smart facilities. It’s 1km from the beach, but there’s a little stream at the bottom…

  • Seaview Lodge B&B

    Napier

    This grand Victorian villa (1890) is queen of all she surveys...which is most of the town and a fair bit of the ocean. Heritage-meets-contemporary rooms…

  • Aura

    Rotorua

    This eco-minded motel, in a fully renovated older complex near the lake, has two natural mineral-water spas and a heated outdoor swimming pool, composts…

  • YHA Rotorua

    Rotorua

    Bright and sparkling, this classy hostel, purpose-built from corrugated iron and wood, is great for those wanting to get outdoors, with bike storage and…

  • Wairua Lodge

    Coromandel Peninsula

    Wairua Lodge is a peaceful B&B with charming hosts, nestled in the bush towards the Whitianga end of the 309 Rd. There’s a riverside swimming hole on the…

  • Kennedy Park Resort

    Napier

    Less a campground and more an entire suburb of holidaymakers, this complex is top dog on the Napier camping scene. It’s the closest campsite to town (2…

  • Solscape

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    With a hilltop location fringed by native bush, Solscape’s ecofriendly accommodation includes tepees, bell tents, rammed-earth domes, railway carriages…

  • Kings on Peace

    Rotorua

    Rise far above the surrounding motel pack with these five-star apartments, built in 2018. Large studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments feature modern…

  • Blue Duck Station

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    Overlooking the Retaruke River 36km southwest of Owhango (take the Kaitieke turn-off 1km south of town), this ecosavvy place is actually various lodges,…

  • Te Moenga Lodge

    Taupo

    As you drive to the very end of the street and park on top of the hill, two friendly border collie–golden retriever crosses will welcome you to Te Moenga…

  • Trillium Lodge

    Hauraki Gulf Islands

    Uniquely constructed of giant logs milled on the island, Trillium Lodge is one of Great Barrier's more distinctive accommodation options. All of the six…

  • Hush Boutique Accommodation

    Coromandel Peninsula

    Four rustic but stylish private cabins with en-suite bathrooms are scattered throughout native bush at this easygoing spot. Natural wood creates a warm…

  • Tree House

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    One of the country's best hostels, the Tree House has dorm rooms in the wood-lined main building and brightly painted little cottages set among the…

  • Edgewater Lodge

    Wellington

    True to its name, the Edgewater is a big modern house set just across the road from a little beach. It's a 15-minute drive from the city but handy for the…

  • Little Earth Lodge

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    Set on a farm 6km from town and right next to Abbey Caves, Little Earth makes most other hostels look downright shabby in comparison. Forget dorm rooms…

  • Lupton Lodge

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    The rooms are spacious, luxurious and full of character in this historic homestead (1896), peacefully positioned in farmland 5km past Whangārei Falls in…

  • Globetrekkers Lodge

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    Unwind in casual style at this homey hostel with harbour views and bright dorms. Private rooms don't have their own bathroom but there are plenty of…

  • Within the Bays

    Coromandel Peninsula

    It’s the combination of charming hosts and incredible views that make this B&B set on a hill overlooking Mercury Bay really worth considering. It’s…