71 Best Hotels in New Zealand

This 100-year-old kauri farmhouse and its buildings are a sophisticated and relaxing place to stay in the northern end of the North Island. Room decoration ranges from modern to rustic, but all come with plenty of space, natural light, and balconies or patios that look out over beautiful gardens to the Waipoua Forest in the distance. Meals are served from an à la carte menu with a focus on high-quality produce. You can stroll through the native bush on the property, or enjoy star-gazing while listening to the native morepork owl in the background. This lodge has a strong eco-friendly ethos and the hosts are extremely helpful. You can even take a self-paced cooking class that covers everything from how to choose knives to aging meat.

Set on 17 blissful acres, this riverfront lodge is one of the country's finest and has seen its fair share of prominent guests over the years, many are repeat customers. Large, lavish suites have a rustic-chic decor and open to a view across lawns to the river. Two separate, multisuite cottages are the height of luxury. Predinner drinks, a five-course dinner, and a hearty country breakfast are included in the rate. The lodge can arrange almost anything under the sun and, despite the level of sophistication, welcomes families traveling with children; the team will organize age-appropriate activities and even line up babysitters if parents want to spend some time alone. Although it is expensive, Huka Lodge offers a range of packages—so it's worth checking well ahead to see what's available. You might get four nights for the price of three.

Several holes of a par-72 championship golf course sweep past this luxurious cliff-top lodge, which is truly outstanding and (for a price) offers space and excellent food for an all-inclusive rate. Ocean views reach to the Cavalli Islands; you also look over three private beaches—one shimmering pink. The lodge is popular with families, and there are many options on the property for parents and children to spend time together (or apart). Staff are trained to deal with families traveling together with children of all ages.

The gardens at this historic mansion, high on Napier Hill, have panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the splendid Kaweka Ranges. Guest rooms have native timber floors, American king-size beds, and elaborate bathrooms. Large verandas open onto landscaped grounds, where you can relax by the heated swimming pool; there's also a lovely fireplace in the lounge. Dinners must be booked in advance.

An enormous cedar of Lebanon stands in front of this gracious 1864 kauri homestead; both the tree and the house are listed with the Historic Places Trust. The restored home has one modern wing, but it's designed to blend with the original building. Two rooms with private baths are in the new wing; one has a balcony overlooking the gardens. The rooms in the older wing are smaller but elegantly furnished with antiques; they share a bath. A three-course dinner and picnic lunches are available for an additional fee. Paheke is about a 15-minute drive southwest of Kerikeri and Paihia and it's a perfect place to base yourself if taking a leisurely trip in the north.

This lodge offers the ultimate in a getaway with its location in a private forest of 2,500 acres with 35 miles of hiking trails a short drive from Rotorua. It was built using native timber from the property, which is also to home to deer, goats, turkeys, and water buffalo. There is also trout fishing and game hunting on the property but if you prefer less activity there is a spa and wild food on offer. The suites are beautifully appointed and all meals are included. If you want to wander farther helicopter transport or guides can be organized.

Modern and clean, this delightful holiday park in the heart of Waitomo Village offers tents, powered campervan sites, cabins, and a self-contained motel. Some cabins have breakfast-making facilities, but there's also a well-equipped communal kitchen here, as well as a guest lounge with TV (free movies available) and a guest laundry. Other park amenities include a gas barbecue, swimming pool, hot tub, children's playground, and Wi-Fi available throughout the property. 

This motel-style complex comes with a good selection of amenity-packed units. There's a flexible mix of studios and one-bedroom suites with whirlpool baths, mini-refrigerators, and microwaves. There are also two-level, two-bedroom family units with full kitchens and a pair of fully accessible units, plus a luxury honeymoon suite. All have smart televisions (with Netflix, Lightbox, and Youtube built-in), safes, and king beds. A conference room and small gym are also on-site. Supermarkets and cafés are within walking distance.

These freestanding studio apartments resemble tree houses with lovely sea views from the bush behind the Paihia beachfront. The three units have woodwork with indigenous timber, such as rimu wood flooring and macrocarpa wood walls, and whirlpool baths; their large living-room areas open onto outside decks. The apartments have their own kitchen facilities, and even a small barbecue on the deck; most guests take the short walk to the restaurants in town for meals. You'll find fresh cookies and flowers in your room daily. There are pricing differentials depending on the season, and the hosts will help organize tours.

Just outside town, this nicely laid-out site has cabins, studios, and full motel units, plus powered campervan sites and campsites to suit a range of budgets. A wide variety of guest facilities in the crammed but nicely landscaped shared areas include hot tubs, a heated pool (summer only), a trampoline, indoor/outdoor dining, a barbecue, and a clean, modern kitchen. The view of the Seaward Kaikōura Mountains is breathtaking. There are two holiday parks on Beach Road—this one is on the inland side of the road. Because it slopes away from the main road, traffic noise is minimized. Bookings are essential in summer.

This gem set on a private farm at Pigeon Bay is made up of four secluded villas, including an ultramodern waterfront home and a magnificent Victorian homestead surrounded by expansive heritage gardens with an impressive pool and spa facilities. You can customize packages to suit couples, families, or larger groups, adding extras like helicopter transfers from Christchurch, private gourmet meals, and wildlife boating tours.

A blend of upscale "flashpacker" lodge rooms and stylish self-contained suites and apartments give visitors to the Anndion Lodge lots of flexibility. There’s a shared lodge kitchen and outside you'll find a covered barbecue area, saltwater pool, hot tub, and infra-red sauna. Inside, there's a cozy TV lounge with an extensive DVD library and pool table.

This lodge, run by a young local family, has twin, triple, and family rooms, all with private bathrooms and two have kitchenettes. All rooms have mountain views (though not necessarily of Aoraki/Mount Cook). The basic alpine-style decoration uses lots of native timber and glass, and there's a huge stone fireplace in the lounge. There are shared kitchen facilities, a laundry, bicycles you can rent, and a small shop.

Being fully self-catering is a huge plus with the lack of shopping in Mount Cook Village, and Aoraki Court Motel has 25 modern studio or two-bedroom units, all of which have kitchenettes. While Aoraki/Mount Cook itself isn't visible from here, you get spectacular views of Mt. Sefton and the surrounding mountains, and you may get mugged by the cheeky paradise ducks trying to break into your room. Buy groceries at Twizel or Lake Tekapo before you arrive, or dine at the Hermitage Hotel farther down the road.

Each bright, well-maintained unit here has an individual whirlpool tub, which helps distinguish Ashleigh Court from the many motels on Fenton Street. It's near Whakarewarewa and the golf course, and not too far from city shops and restaurants.

This lakeside hotel with its immaculate gardens, tennis court, and beach offers luxury accommodation with convenience. You could spend the whole day here but it's also an excellent base for making the most of the geothermal region. The rooms and suites are beautifully appointed with either lake or garden views. The restaurant offers gourmet modern New Zealand cuisine and a picnic basket is available if you take a sightseeing drive.

These affordable one- and two-bedroom apartment-style units are just a two-minute walk from the center of town, surrounded by landscaped gardens. Shackleton's Bar and Grill features the best Canterbury produce, perfect after drinks in front of the open fire in the bar. They also do different packages including ballooning, golf, fishing tours, mountain shuttles, and ski and helicopter trips.

This lakeside motel offers comfortable rooms with great views. Two-story units, which sleep up to six, have a lounge, bedroom, kitchen, and dining room on the ground floor and glass doors leading to a large patio, plus a second bedroom and bathroom on the upper floor; studios have one bedroom.

This apartment-style hotel is smack-dab in the middle of the city—and if you can snag a suite at a weekend or special summer rate, it's one of the best-value lodgings in town. You have a wide selection of stylish studios and spacious one-, two-, or three-bedroom suites to choose from. Facilities are similar in all suites and include kitchens, washers, dryers, and dishwashers (they're also serviced). Despite the location, you don't get street noise.

In a quiet rural area just outside the village center, this motel complex has a variety of stylishly modern units to suit a range of budgets. All have decks; apartments have whirlpool baths as well. The studios and one- or two-bedroom apartments are in a garden environment and have ample parking.

These well-appointed loft-style rooms and suites (including some with two bedrooms) in the heart of the city will have you feeling like a true local. Located on Hannah's Laneway, the Cobbler is a stone's throw from the Wellington Chocolate Factory, and it feels more like an upscale apartment block than a hotel. Before your arrival, the owners send you a unique entry code, so you don't have to fuss with check-in times or waiting in line. Don't take the lack of check-in desk as a sign of missing service: the owners are easily contacted should you need anything. Each room also comes with a bespoke, up-to-date guide of local events and eateries that you can take home as a souvenir.

Just minutes from the airport and 10 minutes from central Christchurch, this family-owned, resort-style accommodation includes a heated indoor pool, sauna, spa, fitness center, and tennis court. Rooms are quiet, large, and comfortable, with the latest TVs and generous bathrooms. The stylishly landscaped terrace area, with a big open fireplace, is a great place to relax with a drink just about all year-round. Staff are superfriendly and helpful.

This complex sprawls along a peninsula within walking distance of the Waitangi Treaty House. Most rooms have a terrace or patio, giving them an airier feeling. It's the biggest hotel north of Auckland is a favorite with tour groups. It's especially popular at the beginning of February when the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi is commemorated.

With 24 acres of landscaped grounds and gardens, this spot on the southern outskirts of Masterton is a large hotel for a small town, and the helpful staff and spacious rooms make it especially good if you are traveling with children. Perks like a pool, playground, and special kids’ menus give it added family appeal. The main restaurant showcases local ingredients and wine in a spacious setting with a cozy ambience.

Whether you choose a luxury villa, cottage, self-catering motel room, cabin, or powered campervan site, you can enjoy the amazing facilities at this park, which include a large swimming pool, barbecues with indoor/outdoor dining, laundry, and fish- and boat-cleaning facilities for fishers. Holiday programs like peninsula bike tours and a summer kids' club are also offered by the friendly hosts. Camping rates begin at NZ$22 for basic tent sites without electricity.

As Christchurch's tallest central city building (once an office tower), this is a prime location with spectacular views overlooking historic Victoria Square and the Avon River. Comfortable beds and quiet zones guarantee a good night's sleep. There's a chic restaurant, café, and bar, plus a well equipped gym. The Crowne Plaza is in walking distance to nearly everything in the city, and just around the corner from historic New Regent Street and Isaac Theatre Royal.

The only tourist lodging in the park to give a panoramic view of three active volcanoes is this friendly complex, close to the ski slopes. Most accommodations are in self-contained apartments and chalets. One-bedroom units sleep up to five people. There's also a pair of double rooms priced for backpackers, as well as powered campsites. The restaurant serves breakfast and dinner; packed lunches are available on request. On-site amenities include a fully licensed bar and a guest lounge with sundeck. The lodge also runs its own shuttle to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, arriving just before 6 am.

This simple hotel offers low key accommodation without fancy add-ons—each room has en suite bathrooms, satellite TV, and tea/coffeemaking facilities and Wi-Fi. 

This 11-floor, upscale, New Zealand--owned and -operated hotel is a postearthquake renovation with a contemporary design. It's an easy walk to all the main shopping and dining areas, with the acclaimed O.G.B. Bar next door. Expect the latest technology and top-quality bedding and room comfort.