Must-see hotels in South Island

  • Bella Vista

    Fiordland & Southland

    Friendly hosts, reasonable prices and tidy, well-equipped units put this modern, two-level place near the top of Invercargill's competitive motel pack…

  • Knob’s Flat

    Fiordland & Southland

    In the Eglinton Valley, 63km north of Te Anau, Knob’s Flat's six self-contained units suit those who appreciate life's simple pleasures: a cosy room with…

  • Lake Brunner Country Motel

    The West Coast

    Birdsong, flower beds and 2.4 hectares of greenery…feeling relaxed yet? At this motel and campground, 2km from Lake Brunner, choose from powered and…

  • Coronation Lodge

    Queenstown

    Right beside Queenstown Gardens, this tidy block with 11 rooms has basement parking, double-glazed windows, wooden floors and Turkish rugs. Larger rooms…

  • Possum Lodge

    Fiordland & Southland

    Nestled into forest near the lake, Possum Lodge is old-fashioned in the best kind of way. There's basic cabins, time-worn motel units, enviably green…

  • Arthur's Pass Motel & Lodge

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    Stylishly decorated options at this diverse complex include modern bedrooms sharing a fully equipped kitchen, lounge and dining area – a good way to meet…

  • Altamont Lodge

    Wanaka

    At the quiet end of town, Altamont is like a hostel for grown-ups. There are no dorms but the 12 tidy little rooms share spotless bathrooms and a spacious…

  • Musterer's

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    On the western edge of Fairlie, these stylish self-contained cottages afford all mod cons with the bonus of a shared barbecue area and woolshed 'lounge' –…

  • YHA Christchurch

    Christchurch

    Smart, well-run 100-plus-bed hostel conveniently located near Canterbury Museum and the Botanic Gardens. Dorms and doubles include many with en suite…

  • Heartland Lodge

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    On the leafy outskirts of town, this elegant modern house offers spacious, en suite rooms and a comfortable, convivial communal space. Friendly hosts…

  • Queenstown Top 10

    Queenstown

    High above the Shotover River, this relatively small and extremely neat park with better-than-the-norm motel units is 10 minutes’ drive from the hustle…

  • Peel Forest Lodge

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    This delightful log cabin hidden in the forest has four rooms and sleeps eight people. It only takes one booking at a time, so you and your posse will…

  • Arthur's Pass Village B&B

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    This lovingly restored former railway cottage is now a cosy B&B, with two well-appointed guest rooms. Breakfast on free-range bacon and eggs, pancakes and…

  • Wanaka Bakpaka

    Wanaka

    The only lakeside hostel in town delivers million-dollar views at backpacker prices. Amenities are top-shelf and it's worth paying a bit extra for the en…

  • Haast River Motels & Holiday Park

    The West Coast

    A large red hangar serves as the communal facilities for campervan and tenting guests, while a horseshoe of two-storey buildings contains a variety of…

  • Tōtaranui Campground

    Abel Tasman National Park

    Not to be confused with the adjacent Tōtaranui Great Walk Campsite, this extremely popular facility has a whopping capacity (850 campers) and a splendid…

  • Bluestone on George

    Dunedin

    If you're expecting an imposing old bluestone building, think again: this four-storey block couldn't be more contemporary. The elegant studio units are…

  • Brothers Boutique Hotel

    Dunedin

    Rooms in this 1920s Christian Brothers residence have been refurbished beyond any monk’s dreams, while still retaining many unique features. The chapel…

  • Rawhiti Backpackers

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    On a hillside on the edge of town, this former maternity hospital is now a sunny and spacious hostel with well-maintained communal areas, bright rooms…

  • Hanmer Springs Top 10

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    This family-friendly park is just a few minutes’ walk from the town's eponymous pools. Kids will love the playground and jumping pillow. Take your pick…

  • Buscot Station

    Dunedin & Otago

    For a completely different and uniquely Kiwi experience, grab a room in the home-style farmhouse attached to a huge sheep and cattle station, or a bed in…

  • Wanaka Homestead

    Wanaka

    Fresh from a facelift and backing onto Wanaka Station Park, the schist Homestead has the feel of a high-end ski lodge. There are angular B&B rooms in the…

  • Fletcher Lodge

    Dunedin

    Originally home to one of NZ’s wealthiest industrialists, this gorgeous red-brick mansion is just minutes from the city, but the secluded gardens feel…

  • Invercargill Top 10

    Fiordland & Southland

    Continually upgrading and adding facilities, this well-kept park has backpacker dorms, modern motels and plenty of lush grass to camp upon, along with…

  • Flaming Kiwi Backpackers

    Queenstown

    Close to the town centre but still quietly removed, this friendly hostel offers tidy dorms with a locker for every bed, three kitchens, unlimited wi-fi…

  • Tailor Made Tekapo Backpackers

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    Spread over three well-tended houses on a peaceful street five minutes' walk from town, this sociable hostel offers bright dorms (with no bunks) and cosy…

  • YHA Wanaka Purple Cow

    Wanaka

    This Wānaka stalwart is older than many of its guests, and it has mellowed comfortably with age. It has a mix of dorms and private rooms, but best of all…

  • Bay Motel

    Fiordland & Southland

    This hillside motel offers spacious, comfortable units with lots of light, views over the harbour and a shared balcony. Some rooms have spa baths, all…

  • Hilltop

    Fiordland & Southland

    High on a hill 1.5km out of town, with native forest at the back door and surrounded by a sheep farm, these two shipshape cottages command spectacular…

  • Haka Lodge

    Christchurch

    Sprawled across three floors of a charming suburban house, Haka Lodge offers colourful bunk-free dorms and cheery doubles. Bonuses include a comfy lounge…

  • Catlins Kiwi Holiday Park

    Fiordland & Southland

    This modern holiday park offers personality-packed accommodation ranging from cute cabins to smart family motels. Tenters share good communal amenities…

  • Christchurch Top 10

    Christchurch

    Family owned and operated for nearly 50 years, this large holiday park has a wide range of accommodation along with various campervan nooks and grassy…

  • Bunkers Backpackers

    Fiordland & Southland

    A converted wooden villa houses Stewart Island/Rakiura’s smaller, but better, hostel option. It's somewhat squeezed but offers the benefits of a cosy…

  • Riverside Haven Lodge & Holiday Park

    Dunedin & Otago

    Nestled in a loop of the Waianakarua River, 12km north of the Moeraki turn-off, this certified-organic riverside property offers both bucolic camping…

  • Wanaka View Motel

    Wanaka

    The refurbished Wanaka View has five apartments with spa baths and full kitchens squeezed tightly into a standard section. The largest has three bedrooms…

  • Tower Lodge Motel

    Fiordland & Southland

    Across a busy road from Invercargill's ornate Victorian water tower, units at this crowd-pleasing motel have nicely modernised kitchens and bathrooms, and…

  • Rakaia Gorge Camping Ground

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    There are no powered sites here, only toilets, showers and a small kitchen shelter, but don't let that put you off. This is the best camping ground for…

  • Chalet Boutique Motel

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    The 'boutique motel' tag doesn't do justice to this collection of attractive accommodation options in three adjacent properties beside the lake. The…

  • Old Glenmark Vicarage

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    There are two divine options in this beautifully restored vicarage: cosy up with bed and breakfast in the main house, or lounge around in the character…

  • Historic Stone House

    Queenstown

    Formerly the mayor's digs, this lovely stone building (1874) has been converted into a six-bedroom holiday home. The modern kitchen and bathrooms meld…

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