2 Best Hotels in Arthur's Pass National Park, Christchurch and Canterbury

Surrounded by spectacular peaks, beech forests, and serene lakes, this sophisticated back-to-nature lodge shares 4,000 acres with its own high-country merino sheep station and nature reserve in a valley called Te Ko Awa a Aniwaniwa (Valley of the Mother of Rainbows). Rooms have balcony views of this incredible area. Full-day guided trips can take you to limestone caves, a tranquil lake, a glacier basin, or to spots where you might glimpse rare alpine plants and kea (native mountain parrot); you'll soon share the owners' passion for preserving this environment. There is a sister lodge at Lake Moeraki on the West Coast.

This is the biggest spot in town with a main lodge that has private and shared rooms; there are also two separate cottages, two motel units, and backpacker dorms in the old YHA lodge. You can sign up for one of the bedrooms in the cottages, reserve an entire cottage, or choose a bed in the private or dorm rooms in the main lodge. There's one women-only bunk room. The interior design may be homely, but you can't argue with the impressive peaks right outside your window.