11 Best Hotels in Northland and the Bay of Islands, New Zealand

These freestanding studio apartments resemble tree houses and provide lovely sea views from the bush behind the Paihia beachfront. The two units have woodwork with indigenous timber, such as rimu flooring and macrocarpa 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 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 have in mind to delight you.

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 are charming and helpful. They will serve you homemade preserves, muffins, and muesli, or a hot breakfast for a tad more.

The biggest hotel north of Auckland and a favorite with tour groups, this complex sprawls along a peninsula within walking distance of the Treaty House. Garden- and ocean-facing rooms are decorated in a French provincial style, with yellows and blues and wrought-iron light fixtures. Most rooms have a terrace or patio, giving them an airier feeling.  It's very popular at the beginning of February when the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi is commemorated.

This waterfront hotel is a favorite with the yachting fraternity, for whom ready access to the harbor and the bar downstairs are the most important considerations. That means staying here will place in you the thick of the noisy action during the busy summer breaks. Antiques add character and the rooms are bright and cheerful. The hotel has a history with fire---the previous three incarnations were burned down (the first by the legendary Māori chief Hone Heke). For more space, opt for one of the waterfront suites with large whirlpool baths, or there's a one-bedroom bungalow right on the waterfront. It gets very busy in the holiday periods so you must book ahead.

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.

This small cluster of chalets is a notch above the usual, with contemporary style and a magnificent setting among fruit trees adjacent to farmland. Each unit has a veranda and colorful furnishings. Kauri Park is a little out of town, with a more rural setting, but it's still only a few minutes' drive from the historic sights. The owners will provide packages that include platters and hampers.

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. The alfresco barbeque area has a gazebo for those days when the sun is too hot or the winterless north gets a touch of rain. Deals are sometimes available on the website.

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—the mochaccino mud wrap comes highly recommended. 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.

Renovations of this 100-year-old kauri farmhouse and its buildings have created 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.