Canterbury is a beautiful region famed for its snow-capped mountains, lakes and vineyards. Beautiful and serene, many of the best hotels in Canterbury are eco-retreats set in gorgeous surroundings. And of course, most of Canterbury's best hotels have the sort of homely comfort you come to expect from Kiwi hospitality. And we've covered every last one of Canterbury's best hotels: romantic adults-only getaways, fishing lodges, luxury villas, working farms and urban boltholes - you name it! So don't miss out, browse this collection of the best hotels in Canterbury and start planning your trip.
For a Romantic Stay
- The Lindis is one of Canterbury's most romantic hotels. Situated in the breathtaking Ahuriri Valley, flanked by hills and mountains, this luxury lodge boasts gourmet, locally-sourced dining, and stables for horseriding trips. A daringly modern architectural statement, with its rolling slatted roof, wood, masonry and glass, it's beautiful and bold.
- Simple and serene, Matuka Lodge is an adults-only getaway. With a lovely garden setting in the shadow of the Southern Alps, nestling quietly by a pond, this intimate four room property is a snug den of cream-white, contemporary rooms. Remote, secluded and peaceful.
- A charming adults-only guesthouse on the outskirts of Akaroa, Beaufort House is a secluded property surrounded by vineyards. A whitewashed wooden house with cherry doors and North-Sea-blue windowframes, this cosy B&B sits in a lovely garden. Expect log fires, chintzy fabrics and antiques in the rooms.
- Eco-friendly, homely and welcoming, The Classic Villa is a great pick for a romantic break in Christchurch. Housed in a pink Italian-style villa, the rooms are warm and inviting, with fur throws, antiques and marble fireplaces.
For a fishing holiday
- Glendeer B&B Lodge sits a few kms outside Timaru, at the epicentre of 30 rivers and streams. Run by Glendeer Fly Fishing Guides, it's the only choice for fisherfolk. The smart and homely rooms are furnished in nature art, taxidermy and floor-to-ceiling windows, all set within a leafy garden.
Luxury villas
- For adults-only 5-star luxury villas, Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat is unbeatable. Here you can expect classy-yet-snug interiors, private hot tub, three course dinners, tennis, heli-skiing and bike hire. The spellbinding location of lake and mountains makes it perfect for couples.
- Annandale has something for everyone. A working coastal farm in a quiet cove by the sea, the five seperate residences are set amid 6000 acres, and the largest sleeps up to 12 people. The rooms are warm, rustic and Alpine-chic affairs. There's tennis, two swimming pools, a mature garden, boats-for-hire, quadbikes and kayaks. Simply stunning!
- Otahuna Lodge is one of Canterbury's best luxury hotels. A true escape-pad set in a 19th century mansion, surrounded by its nationally-renowned gardens to the south of Christchurch, it is a haven of traditional sophistication. The elegant rooms have high ceilings, oil paintings, antiques and fireplaces. Plus there's tennis courts, croquet on the lawn, and sweeping views of the Canterbury plains and the Southern Alps.
Back to nature
- Hapuku Lodge and Treehouses, raised high above the trees, staring out towards the sea, is the perfect back-to-nature getaway just outside Kaikoura. The food is locally sourced and free range; the property is powered by solar panels, while the rooms are smart, rustic affairs, with handcrafted furniture and wood-burning stoves. And the whale-watching opportunties from this epicentre of Maori culture are fantastic!
- Manakau Lodge is where you dream of writing your novel. In the shadow of trees and mountains, the cosy minimalist rooms are filled with high-tech amenities and come with a private patio. A charming B&B in beautiful surroundings, near Whale Bay and Kaikoura, it's a simple, picturesque escape.
- Luxury living is found at Lakestone Lodge, one of the best eco-retreats in Canterbury. On the shoreline of Lake Pukaki, framed by mountains crowned with snow, the chic, minimalist rooms promise intimacy and relaxation. It uses sustainable methods of water and power generation, and there's a helicopter on the 2 acre property offering tours of the mountains.
- Kaikoura Boutique Hotel enjoys an enviable location right on the seafront in Kaikoura. Bright rooms are simple but chic, best come with wonderful seaviews. Make the most of this fabulous location, after all, Kaikoura is one of the best places in the world for whale and dolphin spotting.
For a vineyard stay
- Set on the Black Estate Winery, the B&B is an architecturally striking construction housing one smart studio apartment. The onsite organic restaurant has won accolades, the terrace BBQ is a godsend and the hotel bikes give you a chance to explore this working winery!
For a B&B
- Hotel 115 is a chic B&B in the heart of Christchurch. The super cool rooms have large domed windows, and are coloured in metals, bubblegum blues and banana yellows. Simple, trendy, modern, it makes a lovely base-camp for exploring the city.
Urban bolthole
- Hotel Montreal is a stylish urban bolthole in Christchurch. The minimalist, contemporary rooms are snug and intimate, themed around the city's favourite pastime - polo. Wide open terraces, a croquet lawn and a seriously nice bistro, it ticks all the boxes.
- Chic nostalgia is the name-of-the-game at The Vicarage in Geraldine. Offering smart, stylish rooms, there's also an on-site coffee house and historic collection detailing the building's 100-year-old history, and the 15 vicars who lived here. The views are enchanting, the food is tasty, the vibe is cosy and the history is compelling.
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