A long-time favourite of outdoorsy travellers the world over, New Zealand is a marvellous country of dynamic cities, a rich Māori culture, fabulous food and wine and breathtaking landscapes. Ski down dramatic mountain slopes, paddle through the still waters of the majestic Sounds, stroll along epic beaches or hike amidst ancient forests filled with endemic birdlife over the course of your journey. Whether you’re travelling as a couple or with friends and family, you’ll find remote eco-lodges, swish city hotels, heritage B&Bs and indulgent vineyard escapes aplenty, linked by some of the most spectacular roads in the world. As varied as its scenery, our list of the best places to stay in New Zealand promises something for everyone.

Set on a wind-whipped peninsula near the southern tip of the North Island, Wellington has been dubbed ‘The Coolest Little Capital in the World’. It’s definitely one of the country’s most intriguing cities, perfect for culture buffs and keen foodies. Other city highlights include diverse Auckland, to the north, and the South Island's Christchurch and Queenstown. The country’s adrenaline sports hub, Queenstown is your best bet for thrilling skydives, bungee jumping, jet boating and skiing. More laid-back nature lovers, on the other hand, will be fascinated by the Abel Tasman National Park, Wānaka, Rotorua or Lake Taupo, where you can trek, raft, kayak, horse ride, fish, play golf and birdwatch. Hikers can plan entire trips around New Zealand’s famed ‘Great Walks’; a terrific way to experience these islands.

You'll undoubtedly feast on delicious seasonal produce throughout the country, but the wine regions of Hawke’s Bay — home to Art Deco Napier and Hamilton — Marlborough and Otago offer a particularly tempting combination of delectable dishes paired with NZ sauvignon blancs and pinot noirs. Some of the best places to stay in New Zealand are cosy B&Bs, sprawling vineyard resorts or hidden little lodges in world-class wine country.

The Best Places to Stay in New Zealand

For a Charming B&B

• Dyers House is a gorgeous Edwardian villa in Christchurch's pretty Cashmere Hills. With three cosy, traditional bedrooms, flower-filled gardens and welcoming hosts, this is a top B&B for a relaxing break. Small weddings for up to 30 guests can be hosted in the garden. Adults only.
• Arcadia Lodge is a delightful heritage B&B with a small selection of characterful rooms, suites and a two-bedroom cottage overlooking Matauwhi Bay in Russell. Feast on chef-owner Peter's gourmet breakfasts of garden-grown ingredients or taste NZ wine on your private deck. The Tautoru Studio is particularly romantic.
• Hawthorne House is a super stylish four-bedroom B&B run by two welcoming art collectors. Set in a historic house close to Hastings, individually decorated rooms are filled with original artwork. Enjoy breakfasts with homemade jam & fresh eggs from the hens before embarking upon art tours and wine tastings. Great for artsy couples.

For City Style

• Hotel Fitzroy by Fable is a converted heritage manor with swish annexe in Auckland's hip Ponsonby area. Perfect for well-heeled couples or friends, this sumptuous 10-room boutique pad offers gourmet breakfasts, easy access to a trendy neighbourhood and whisky nightcaps in the art-filled library.
• Eichardt's Private Hotel is a chic boutique hotel housed in a heritage Queenstown property. Highlights include the beautiful lake-facing deck with hot tub, the Vault Spa — housed in a historic gold vault — and sumptuous rooms and suites with roaring fireplaces and big cosy beds. Very romantic and central.
• QT Museum Hotel has a funky buzz, with glamorous arty interiors, two eateries and a bustling bar. Rooms and suites are more minimal, and some have impressive harbour views. With a swimming pool and gym, this is a top-notch city bolthole. Right opposite Te Papa Museum in Wellington.
• The George is a 53-room boutique hotel in the heart of Christchurch, close to Hagley Park. Feast on award-winning cuisine at 50 Bistro, borrow bikes to cycle around the city, and enjoy cooking classes or wine tastings at the hotel. A chic and luxurious city base.
• The Hotel Britomart has a burgeoning reputation as one of the coolest places to stay in Auckland. Foodies and lovers of great interiors will delight in this soulful spot. Contemporary suites boast epic views, there's chic private dining and hip Kingi Restaurant is a gem. Chef Tom Hishon uses sustainably caught seafood to create innovative dishes paired with North Island wines.

For a Vineyard Escape

• Craggy Range Cottages is a collection of nine beautifully appointed cottages nestled around the famed Craggy Range Winery. Choose this property for its cool, contemporary design, marvellous views of Te Mata Peak and award-winning gourmet restaurant. Wine lovers will adore the Cellar Door bar — also a destination in itself.
• Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa is one for wine lovers. Stylish villas sit within a Pinot Noir vineyard, and offer spectacular views, indulgent bathrooms and open-plan living spaces. With a superb spa, delectable private dining experiences and a fantastic cellar door onsite, this is a real romantic highlight.
• Takatu Lodge & Vineyard offers four spacious suites on a working vineyard set on the Tāwharanui Peninsula, just a few minutes' drive from Matakana. Foodies and wine lovers will adore tours and tastings at the vineyard, as well as delectable cuisine using produce from the lodge's own gardens. A restful luxury choice.

FOR ACTIVE FAMILIES OR GROUPS

• Treetops Lodge & Estate offers a luxurious escape within a verdant forest. Choose from spacious villas or a self-catering apartment, and spend your days hiking, fishing and exploring. Foodies will love the cooking school, home grown produce — from the lodge's 2,500 acre estate — and opportunities for foraging walks and lessons in traditional Maori cuisine. A delight for guests of all ages.
• Awaroa Lodge is a remote eco-lodge on the coast in the Abel Tasman National Park. The 26 contemporary rooms & suites have outdoor decks, space for families and great views. Feast on produce from the organic kitchen garden after days of kayaking, sailing, dolphin and bird-spotting or feeding the tame eels with the little ones. Come by air or water — there are no roads to this family-friendly escape!
• Fiordland Lodge has 10 rooms and two standalone cabins, perfect for families or groups looking to immerse themselves in the wonders of the Fiordland National Park. Views towards Te Anau Lake are spectacular, there's delicious food onsite and myriad outdoorsy activities for guests of all ages.
• The Bay of Many Coves Resort has one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with spectacular views over Arthur's Bay near Picton. Set on 52 hectares of private grounds, this secluded escape can be accessed only by air or water. Families and groups will delight in fantastic food, hikes, sailing and fishing.
• The Point Villas share 58 acres of lakeside grounds, perfect for active groups or families. The two villas have multiple bedrooms, full kitchens, decks and private pools, as well as shared access to tennis courts, kayaks, croquet & boat ramps. A secluded, family-owned site with heaps of charm in Taupo.

For an Island Hideaway

• Church Hill Lodge & Restaurant is a three-room property in coastal Oban on Stewart Island. Friendly owners Deanne and Chris infuse this lovely restaurant-with-rooms with friendliness and charm aplenty. Ever-changing restaurant menus champion seasonal produce, with vegetables grown in the lodge's own hydroponic gardens paired with freshly caught fish.
• The Boatshed sits moments from Oneroa Beach, with five sophisticated suites and two cottages channelling classic nautical Kiwi style. Romantics can hide away in the Watertower Room. Appealing tables for two can be arranged alfresco, for savouring produce from the veggie patch and the ocean.
• Kawau Lodge sits on Kawau Island's North Cove, and boasts eight airy rooms with stunning views of the forest and the sea. Pick this place for a family or group trip and book multiple rooms; cook up a storm in the kitchen or kick back on the sun-drenched deck. Sailing, kayaking and birdwatching are all on the agenda. Lovely.

For Romantic Luxury

• Kinloch Manor is a luxurious retreat with impeccable spa facilities and delicious home-grown cuisine. Boasting a stunning 18-hole golf course and tennis court, as well as multi-bedroom cottages with epic Lake Taupo views, this is a terrific holiday choice for sophisticated couples or groups of friends.
• Mahu Whenua Lodge has just four fabulous suites, tucked within a 200 square mile estate. Admire the Motatapu Valley, Lake Wanaka and the mountains from your suite or the outdoor pool, before exploring the area with private four-wheel-drive eco safaris, horse riding treks and visits to Manuka honey farms. The gourmet fare is exceptional and the property's eco-focus is very strong. A honeymoon favourite.
• The Sounds Retreat is a cool, contemporary suite with superb views over Queen Charlotte Sound. Pick this place for the indulgent feel, the sense of privacy, and the beautiful candelit gourmet dinners. The team pride themselves on organising epic activities — from private vineyard tours in a 1985 Land Rover Defender to helicopter trips and fishing charters. A honeymoon escape.
• The Farm at Cape Kidnappers fuses rustic charm with modern style to create chic suites — some with two-bedrooms — featuring panoramic views of the sea and the property's 6,000 acres of farmland. With walking trails, horse riding, cycling, a swimming pool, onsite spa and a great golf course, there's no shortage of activities for couples or families to try. Enchanting.
• Annandale promises a spectacular series of secret private residences peppered around a 6,000 acre working estate. Hide away in a classic cottage for a romantic weekend or party the night away in a contemporary seascape retreat with friends. The ultimate luxury escape, between Akaroa and Christchurch. Exceptional.
• Wharekauhau Country Estate is a fabulous lodge with cottages and a three-bedroom villa overlooking Palliser Bay near Wellington. Brilliant for a country escape as a couple or with friends and family, the lodge promises exceptional interiors and heaps of activities — including tennis, a spa, farm tours, hiking and cycling along 10 miles of Pacific coastline.

FOR AN APARTMENT OR HOLIDAY COTTAGE

• If you'd prefer a self-catering option, we suggest that you visit our online partner Booking.com.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

• Fly to Auckland Airport, to Wellington Airport, Christchurch Airport or Queenstown Airport, the country's largest travel hubs. Continue your journey by car, bus, train or helicopter.
• New Zealand is famously wonderful for a road trip! Contact our online partner Rentalcars if you would like to hire a car.
• Travel during the spring or summer for the best weather, with temperatures peaking around 20-25°C between December and April. For a quieter trip and great deals in much of the North Island, look at May or October-November, though these months will be cooler and showers more frequent. If you're looking to ski in the South Island, May to October will be the busiest time to travel.

STILL NOT SURE?

• Explore our list of all the best places to stay in Wellington.
• Alternatively, tailor your search to see our pick of the best places to stay in the North Island.
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.