95 Best Hotels in New Zealand

Spacious chalets and studios, with native gardens between them, are nestled between Abel Tasman National Park and Marahau Beach. Units are finished in natural wood and have high cathedral ceilings, New Zealand wool carpets, queen- or king-size beds, and balconies. Room-service breakfasts, prepared packed lunches, and a communal kitchen are available. Staff can help make reservations for sea kayaking, water taxis, and hiking. There's a barbecue to share and an outdoor hot tub. Book well ahead for summer.

Hosts John and Helen treat you like family when you stay in one of the comfortable rooms here; each comes with a local decor theme (bush, cave, farm, and swamp), superqueen bed, and a second deck entrance. The cozy guest lounge features recycled native timbers, books, a wide-screen TV, honor bar, stellar views of the green countryside, and an appealing outdoor barbecue area and fire pit. The communal complimentary breakfasts—including free-range eggs and local honey—are seriously good. Located on the edge of Waitomo Village, the sign warning that anyone who mentions the steep driveway will be fined NZ$2 sets an appropriately convivial tone.

This B&B, perched over Matauwhi Bay a few minutes' walk from town, had been supported for more than 100 years by whale vertebrae, which served as the backbones of this turn-of-the-20th-century home. One of the "backbones" of the house now sits in the lounge. Two spacious suites off the large guest lounge and dining area both have brass beds, sunrooms, and their own decks. Another three rooms are upstairs. The Tautoru Room has its own entrance, with a deck and a view of the bay where you can watch the boats coming and going from the Russell Boat Club (the club's bar is a good place to meet locals). Wake up with an appetite; breakfast is always good and varies depending on what you might have requested or what the hosts (one is a trained chef) have in mind to delight you.

At this welcoming B&B between Greymouth and Punakaiki, two rooms in the main house and two suites in the garden overlook spectacular coastline and native bush surroundings, and hosts Jan and Stephen will tell you about the local mountain biking and mining. You should take a look at Stephen's great landscape photography, too. Guests can relax in the family lounge, though guest rooms also have private little indoor and outdoor spots.

This private lodge perched on a busy hillside just out of Coromandel Town has great views across the Hauraki Gulf. Bedrooms and bathrooms are minimalist in design, with huge windows and balconies with spectacular views of the surrounding native trees and countryside. Breakfasts are a delight, and the cozy library nook and "help yourself" fruit orchard add to the experience. There's even a small gift shop stocked with local art.  The deluxe double room is special. Its giant tub set beside an enormous window makes you feel as if you're bathing in the middle of the forest.

This beautiful renovated villa offers three lovely rooms that will remind you of a relative's comfortable country house. The rates are moderate, and the hosts charming and helpful. They will serve you homemade preserves, muffins, and muesli, or a hot breakfast for a tad more.

You don't have to be religious to stay at this boutique hotel in a former Catholic Convent, where the creators have faith in the building and have given it a new, designer-style life. In keeping with its past, the rooms have names with a religious reference such as The Sacristy, The Convent Superior, Convent Petite, and Mother Superior. Amenities include luxurious linens and complimentary snacks, and the hotel also has Ada, an Italian restaurant. It's steps away from Grey Lynn, a trendy suburb with an easy, low-key vibe. 

Tucked on a quiet side street, these comfortably countrified guest rooms, with strong colors and lots of wood in a beautiful old villa, are within easy walking distance of the mighty Buller River. The rooms are spacious with luxurious touches, including free Wi-Fi. Hosts Daphne and Philip hail from Europe and understand hospitality. They love engaging with their guests (without intruding) and will recommend local attractions and good places to eat.

With the hotel's stately heritage facade hiding a colorful, whimsical interior, you'd think you've stumbled onto a set of a Wes Anderson film. Aesthetically striking at every turn, Naumi's reception and downstairs Lola Rouge bar area provide a comfy and delightful lounge in which to work and socialize. The well-designed rooms thoughtfully navigate the smaller dimensions typical of a heritage building. Naumi wholly embodies the cool vibe and friendliness of the capital's iconic Cuba Street.

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.

A large pohutukawa tree stands next to the heated saltwater pool in front, and all of the rooms have bay views, a deck or patio, and a large whirlpool tub in the bathroom. You have free use of the sauna or steam room. The state-of-the-art day spa, which is also open to nonguests, has a full range of treatments from a practical pedicure to a sugar cocoon wrap and skin treatment. It's a nice place to rest after a few day's traveling when you want a bit of pampering but still want to be close to a small amount of action. The on-site restaurant and bar offers meals prepared with seasonal products.

From the peaceful rural setting and exceptionally good food to the warmth of the hospitality and finest linen on your bed, this is a memorable place to stay. Ann and Blyth are wonderful hosts and go to great lengths to ensure their guests enjoy every moment. Predinner drinks and canapes in the evening are just a hint of what's to come. Make sure you take up the dinner option; Blyth is a sought-after chef for good reason.

Rain-forest retreat describes this place well: four stylish double rooms and one two-bedroom apartment are nestled on a 15-acre property with native forest, bushwalks, streams, and hidden swimming holes for your enjoyment. You can warm up in the outdoor hot tub or enjoy a private balcony bath high above a ravine. At night, listen for the call of ruru, the native morepork. Continental breakfast is included, otherwise it’s self-catering in the conservatory kitchen and dining area. Whitianga is just 15 minutes—yet another world—away.

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. 

Checking out will be the hardest part when you stay in either the 100-year-old cottage or modern apartment on this waterfront garden property. Both are self-contained and feature comfortable decor, well-stocked libraries, plus forest-framed harbor views. The owners will happily leave you alone to enjoy the outlook, the subtropical gardens, and bushy dell. If you can bring yourself to leave the gorgeous grounds, a double kayak is available for guests.

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.

Cook for yourself if you wish at this modern motel-style accommodation that offers great value, with well-appointed studios and apartments, excellent facilities, and a sunny environment. All units have kitchens, plus there are two appealing barbecue areas. It's close to the Glacier Hot Pools, a two-minute walk to the Wildlife Centre, and an easy walk to restaurants. Best of all, there's lots of forest to look at and native birds to listen to. Some units have a whirlpool bath; light breakfasts are available.

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.

This might be a European alpine-inspired lodge, but the view out the window is all Kiwi—wetlands, forest, and mountains. Accommodations run from hotel rooms and two-bedroom, self-contained apartments to backpacker dorms that include some private rooms. A few two-bedroom apartments are good for families. It's set in the center of the little village a short bushwalk away from Lake Rotoiti. The lodge bar and bistro restaurant offer a good range of Kiwi fare. There is no breakfast included in the rate, but there is a nice menu to purchase meals from.

This small homestay right on the water's edge was one of the first houses built in the spectacular Anakiwa Bay, and even served as a school. There are two self-catered guesthouses on this property, a 30-minute drive from Picton at the southern end of the Queen Charlotte Track. The friendly hosts will go out of their way to assist you in exploring the surroundings, or booking local activities. Explore the thoughtful book, board game, and DVD collection, and don't miss the glowworm walk at night. The Queen Charlotte Tavern is about 7 km (4.5 miles) up the road. 

Low-key and comfortable, this small guesthouse within a two-story 19th-century villa provides everything you need for a relaxing stay. It's close to all that Devonport has to offer and is a short ferry ride from Auckland's CBD. Your room may have a claw-footed iron bathtub or access to the balcony; rooms are different sizes, and the decor in each is modern, neutral, and uncluttered. There are complimentary snacks and fruit in a shared lounge. 

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.

Aimed primarily at business travelers, the spacious digs here, with their handsome yet comfy decor and convenient location are popular with tourists, too. A stylish mix of accommodations include studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units. All are self-contained, serviced, and soundproofed. Continental and cooked breakfasts are available at extra charge.

Designed to blend in with Arrowtown's historic buildings, these five cottage-style suites are just a two-minute walk from the center of town. All have views toward the Arrow River gorge, which ideally will inspire you to go on one of the area's many beautiful day hikes.

The largest hotel in town, an eight-minute drive from the town center, is a rambling complex with different types of spacious, modern rooms, most with small balconies. Some rooms in a motel-style building have kitchenettes. An on-site restaurant serves traditional and contemporary New Zealand fare, adding to the allure of this hospitable place, which will be a welcome sight if you've just battled some of the rugged gravel side roads of the Catlins.

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 motel is across the road from the marina and within walking distance of town. Rooms have a fresh nautical, cream-and-blue color scheme with marine-life art on the walls.

Clean, spacious, and comfortable apartment-like units and full apartments have decks with views that take in Halfmoon Bay, and from these "busybody" perches you can observe the comings and goings of the wharf and pub, as well as the antics of the kakas (bush parrots). The studio spa with a two-person jetted tub is nice after a day of tramping. All rooms have central heating and Wi-Fi; some are wheelchair-accessible. Other facilities include laundry, barbecues, and freezer storage (in case you've been out fishing and need to store your catch). There's a free shuttle service to the national park.