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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

This harborside hotel looks onto a view that has not changed, according to legend, since the Polynesian navigator Kupe first arrived in New Zealand 1,000 plus years ago. The hotel has a low key warm atmosphere, switched-on staff, and comfortable rooms and villas for a more private two-person stay. The restaurant and bar are low key and cozy.