231 Best Hotels in New Zealand

The 1920s home of Karyn and Mark Watson is situated on a working farm that breeds sheep and cattle. There is a large stand of native bush. Guests have the run of the house with its enormous wood-paneled lounge, books aplenty, and large-screen television. You can dine with the family or in private if you wish. Meals and picnic hampers are available and local visits can be arranged.

With obvious references to France (but in a very Kiwi way), Lodge Bordeaux offers comfortable and stylish accommodations. There is a range of rooms from studios to two-bedroom kitchen suites for those who want to cook. The rooms are well-appointed. Deals are often available on the website.

The country setting of Lupton Lodge makes it a perfect place to retreat to after a day's traveling in the North, with five rooms, two apartments, a swimming pool, and gorgeous gardens. Close by are orchards and some lovely stretches of coastline. Breakfast is included and made-to-order dinners, including vegan are available. If you happen to be traveling by bike, whether the petrol- or pedal-powered variety, there is safe storage for your two wheels. The very nice hosts know a lot about the area.

Filled mainly by busloads of package tourists, the stone-and-timber buildings have comfortable rooms, and large lounges complete with welcoming fires, that make quite an impression in this otherwise nondescript town. The 108 rooms range from deluxe to superior.

The 1885 grand residence of one of New Zealand's earliest entrepreneurs has been converted into a charming boutique hotel. The dozen guest suites are luxuriously furnished, and the manicured grounds include a grass tennis court, a swimming pool, and a day spa. Local products, including lamb, beef, or duck, feature on the upscale farm-cuisine menu, and the wine list includes superb Hawke's Bay wines.

Follow a lavender-lined driveway to this 1901-built Victorian convent, now a luxury boutique hotel. Its 10 rooms are decorated in an eclectic contemporary style that mixes old and new. Surrounding the building, 16 acres of established gardens and lawns appear to ramble into the surrounding vineyards (tours with head gardener on request). The heated outdoor pool is open from October to May, and six lawn tennis courts are available for guests to use. The hotel's on-site restaurant, Harvest, has just been awarded a Hat in NZ Cuisine Food Awards, and provides a unique dining experience with a deck opening onto the Orangery. 

Sitting on a corner of Martinborough Square, this vintage hotel was built in 1882 and has rooms that open onto either the veranda or the garden. The handsome accommodations mix antique and modern fittings, and the tasteful decorating styles vary from French provincial to crisp country.

This lodge is ideal for anyone wanting to enjoy the hikes and activities of the Aoraki/Mount Cook area; it's particularly nice for fly fishermen. Expect to be treated like family whether you are staying for a night or much longer. You can arrange for a guide to the nearby rivers to go after rainbow and brown trout. Each room has a veranda with mountain views, and your room rate includes breakfast and predinner drink. Spring for one of the higher-priced rooms to enjoy the double whirlpool.

One of the city's newer boutique hotels, the Mayfair is within walking distance to the CBD and just a short stroll away from Hagley Park—the rooms are clean, bright, and modern with all the latest technologies. The Top of The House rooms and suites are a bit more expensive but have great views from a private balcony over the city. There's a bustling café on ground level. A breakfast package can also be purchased as an extra with the room. 

This modern accommodation complex has both motel rooms and apartments for small or large groups. It's warm in winter, which is a big plus for weary skiers, and many of the units have whirlpools, and all have the latest showers. Ask them about their apartments and holiday homes off-site, too.

A 20-minute drive from Queenstown, this glamorous resort has a special appeal for golfers: a 36-hole course first designed by New Zealand professional Sir Bob Charles. There's a spa to pamper you, and extensive exercise options. Accommodations range from rooms in the main hotel to villas and multibedroom cottages. Standard rooms have private balconies and fireplaces. The villas have kitchens, laundry facilities, and large lounge–dining rooms.

Stylish and modern, central New Plymouth's only waterfront lodging is handily placed next to the Puke Ariki Museum. Each room has sea or city views and superking or queen beds; configurations range from studios with showers (no tubs) to elite studios with individual whirlpool baths and penthouse suites with separate bedroom, double whirlpool bath, shower, full laundry, and kitchen facilities. Salt, the hotel's popular restaurant-bar, feels minimalist—all the better to appreciate the view of Len Lye's 148-foot Wind Wand statue across the road.

Hosts Miria and Taroi Black provide true Māori manaakitanga (hospitality) and a cultural homestay experience. The doorway of the fully self-contained guest whare (house, in this case a cottage) is framed with traditional carvings while the interior is decorated with contemporary Māori art. Garden murals, sculpture, and carvings depict local history. Guests have the use of a hot tub and a barbeque and can rent kayaks. Those staying longer could well be invited to share a hāngi (a traditional method of cooking food).

If you're traveling to Invercargill via the Southern Scenic Route, these four lovely, modern self-catering cottages keep both coziness and conservation in mind, making a perfect rest stop before you get to the city. Guests concerned about sustainability will appreciate the various initiatives in place on the property, from heat pumps to the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products and toiletries. Mohua Park is located between Papatowai and Owaka.

Tranquillity, marvelous mountain views, and a superb standard of comfort are the hallmarks of this rustic lodge on 35 acres overlooking the Motueka River. Fish is a key focus here, especially dry fly-fishing for brown trout in the wild rivers. Booking ahead is essential during the October-to-April fishing season, and some dates require minimum a two-nights booking. 

This premium Kiwi holiday park just steps from the center of town has top facilities and hosts. There's the typical range of accommodations, from tent sites and powered campervan sites to cabins with shared bathrooms and fully equipped apartments with en suite bathrooms, kitchens, and dining areas. Booking ahead is recommended in the busy summer season.

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.

If you’ve come south for the views and outdoor activities then the Mt. Hutt Lodge delivers with its laid-back atmosphere. By day you’ll look out across the magnificent, sometimes turquoise Rakaia River toward Mt. Hutt, the area’s main ski field. By night you’ll be amazed at the clarity of the sky and the sheer depth of stars. Rooms are clean and pleasant with an eclectic mix on offer from motel units to time-share apartments of up to three bedrooms.

High on the mountain, this hotel and restaurant has a deserved reputation for its dramatic setting and fine food. Guest rooms look out over the lower forested slopes. A café serves breakfast, lunch, and snacks while the dinner restaurant offers contemporary and classic cuisine featuring local produce. Trails from the lodge explore a mix of subalpine shrublands and dense forest.

Personable owner Terry Parkes has transformed this 19th-century heritage building into an opulent city retreat decorated with eclectic furnishings and contemporary art by leading Taranaki artists. The hotel's stylish, individually designed accommodations blend luxury amenities (double whirlpool baths or massage showers) with its heritage features. Adjacent to the hotel are four suites, three with kitchen facilities. Table at Nice, the hotel restaurant, is considered one of New Plymouth's finest.

From the moment you walk into the futuristic lobby you will receive a warm welcome from staff who know the city well and can help with directions and recommendations. The comfortable, smart rooms have views overlooking the Southern Alps, New Regent Street, or directly on to the still-damaged cathedral. The restaurant has clever nooks designed for sole diners, a nod to the many business travelers the hotel attracts.

A surfer's paradise, this Mediterranean-looking motel complex is a five-minute drive north of Gisborne, close to Wainui Beach. The contemporary-style units are spacious, airy, and have a private courtyard. Perks like kitchen facilities and free Wi-Fi make them a practical choice, too.

Stylish studio suites or one-bedroom units overlook the beach here. Each comes with floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass doors that showcase unobstructed views of Mercury Bay. The executive studio suites feature double whirlpools. All have kitchenettes—cooktops, microwave, and refrigerator. Most units have their own patios, and all are located just a stroll across the street from the beach. Guest barbecue, Wi-Fi, kayaks, laundry, and secure parking are added features.

In the famous waterfront neighborhood of Oriental Bay, this boutique hotel is tailored to those who enjoy a personalized and luxurious experience. Spacious rooms are uniquely furnished with mid-century decor that combines urban chic with a cozy feel. Perks include its proximity to essential waterfront sights such as the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Oriental Bay Beach, and the harborside market. Parking is a 5-minute walk away at the Te Papa museum.

Surrounded by a tranquil garden, just a two-minute walk from town and a few steps from Akaroa Harbour, this character Victorian manor house has its original, ornate plaster ceilings and marble fireplaces. The house has been completely refurbished after the earthquakes with modern bathrooms and amenities. You'll also find fresh flowers in the spacious and pleasantly decorated rooms. Drive to the far end of Beach Road where the road runs onto what looks like a private driveway shared by a number of properties. Just follow that road a little farther to Oinako, which is marked.

Once a real vicarage, Old Glenmark is now a funky barn lodging—with lots of rough-sawn timber and colonial trimmings—that's suitable for families and makes a very comfortable base while touring the area. The Wicked Vicar, the Vicar's Mistress, Divine Daughter and the Sweeter Daughter are not members of the staff at this pleasant Victorian homestay, but are wines produced from the owners' small vineyard.

Located on top of a hill, this four bedroom retreat has panoramic views of the ocean and countryside. Mount Maunganui can be seen down the coast and White Island directly offshore. Guests have exclusive use of the retreat, no matter whether you book one or all four of the rooms. A spacious open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area opens up through bi-fold doors to a patio area with superb views from the comfortable outdoor furniture. There's a hot tub, positioned to take advantage of sea views, and local artwork is showcased throughout. Hosts Mike and Sheryl live offsite, but personally welcome guests and are happy to arrange massages, beauty treatments, or personal chefs. 

Just 20 minutes from Christchurch and almost hidden by glorious century-old gardens is one of New Zealand's most important historic homes, now an award-winning luxury retreat. Built in 1895 in Queen Anne style for Sir Heaton Rhodes, a high-profile Member of Parliament of the time, the three-story homestead has been restored to its former grandeur, yet has all the modern amenities you would expect in an exclusive luxury lodge. Each of Otahuna's seven suites has a distinctive character and reveals a different element of the Otahuna story. Original fireplaces complement the rooms and the wisteria-blue drawing room is divine. Be sure to wander the 30 acres of gardens (guided tours available), and take a dip in the heated pool (summer only). Do spend some time in the potager garden and the kitchen with the chef to learn some of his secrets.

With a grand Pacific-style portico, this resort property on the main street in Tairua looks like a tropical island getaway. It contains a cluster of island-style chalets connected by a white shell path, some of them overlooking the Tairua Inlet. The units are spacious and quiet, with fully equipped kitchens and the added bonus of parking outside your door. Furnishings are simple and comfortable, and all the touches expected in an upmarket hotel are present. One honeymoon suite has a king bed and private hot tub.

These self-contained apartments are located right in the heart of Whangamata, only minutes walking from shops, restaurants, and the beach. Each apartment has full kitchen facilities, and the grounds of the motel feature a pool, a hot tub, a sauna, and a tennis court.