Hauraki Gulf Islands
Great Barrier's most spectacular accommodation option is also one of its more remote. A 25-minute drive from Tryphena – rent a 4WD vehicle – XSPOT is a…
Must-see hotels in North Island
Taupo
Three of the contemporarily and artfully designed suites at this luxurious B&B, high above Acacia Bay, have the best bed views in Taupō – you'll probably…
Rotorua
This grand building constructed from NZ's most cherished wood, kauri, sits directly outside the Government Gardens’ main Prince’s Gate, and began life in…
Taupo
Ten kilometres south of Taupō, these five 1920s-style beach shacks are beautifully modern inside and ideally positioned for swimming, fishing and superb…
Rotorua
Secluded on swanky Kawaha Point, this upmarket lodge features spacious rooms and suites, and a two-bedroom apartment. Decks and balconies provide lake…
Taupo & the Ruapehu Region
Around 5km west of Ōhakune on the road to Raetihi, this B&B is the perfect combination of country elegance and classy decor. Large bedrooms have beautiful…
Taupo
Step onto the set of Mad Men at this retro-fitted boutique motel crammed with furniture from the era's signature designers. There are four one-bedroom…
Napier
Located in rural Eskdale, around 18km north of Napier, superstylish Kiwiesque overlooks apple trees and expansive vineyards. For freewheeling travellers,…
Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
Four gloriously sophisticated suites fill this spacious and sunny two-storey villa that was undoubtedly one of Ponsonby's finest homes in earlier times…
Waiheke Island
Three cabins face the main building, which houses the communal toilets, kitchen and living area, and a compact self-contained upstairs apartment. …
Bay of Plenty
The ultimate in rustic romance, this rural idyll has two pretty, electricity-free cottages and a lovely lounge-library for guests. Soak in the wood-heated…
New Plymouth
Completely exceeding motel expectations, lovely One Burgess Hill is a complex of 15 stylish units on a green hillside, about 5km south of central New…
Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula
In a rural setting a short drive south of Cambridge, Earthstead has two units – Earth House and Cob Cottage – constructed using ecofriendly and…
Bay of Plenty
Beach life comes no simpler than at this chilled-out holiday park. Cabins open onto shared decks with barbecues and their own toilet blocks, meaning that…
Taranaki & Whanganui
Set on a knoll overlooking the ocean (pricey on the pocket but with priceless views), these luxury, architecturally designed villas are superbly eccentric…
Hamilton
At the quiet riverside end of a central city street (five minutes’ walk from the action on Victoria and Hood Sts), this sparkling self-contained cottage…
Wellington
Formerly known as ‘Museum Hotel de Wheels’ (to make way for Te Papa, it was rolled here from its original location 120m away), this five-storey, art…
New Plymouth
This regal hotel occupies the corner of King and Queen Sts (get it?) in the cool West End Precinct (great bars and eats). Run by unerringly professional…
Bay of Islands & Northland
This collection of five different architecturally striking properties dotted around a coastal peninsula ranges from the two-bedroom Te Huia – with sunset…
The Far North
On SH10, 10km north of the turn-off to Whangaroa, this hostel has a deservedly great reputation – for its comfortable accommodation, bucolic setting and…
Waiheke Island
Dream a little dream of a luxurious, modern, spacious, open-plan two-bedroom house on the crest of a hill with unsurpassed views over Oneroa Bay and the…
Parnell & Newmarket
The Ascot's three luxurious bedrooms share a spacious apartment in a modern mid-rise block. You're in no danger of stumbling into the owners' private…
Wellington
These two tiny 1880 cottages squat amid a precious historic precinct at the top of Cuba St. These days they're self-contained one-bedroom affairs,…
Wellington
Ever feel like you've walked into a design magazine? This bijou hotel has 10 individually decorated rooms over four levels, with immersive NZ scenes…
Wellington
There's an old bit and a new bit at this trusty YHA, but both are spick and span – and both score points for fantastic communal areas, big kitchens and…
Bay of Islands
The characterful rooms of this 1890 hillside house are kitted out with interesting antiques and fine linen, while the breakfast is worth staying for alone…
East Cape
Up on the hill behind town, the 15-bed Stranded in Paradise scores points for show-stopping views and eco loos. There are two tricky loft dorm rooms, a…
The Far North
Across from the beach, this superb kauri villa (1880) has been beautifully restored and converted into an exceptional hostel. There’s no TV, which…
Bay of Plenty
Awarded NZ’s best motel in 2018 and 2019, One88 is styled more like a plush hotel than a motel. King beds sit in spacious rooms – the smallest is 50 sq…
Tauranga
This near-harbour-front home conversion is a haven of soft sounds and soft colours sitting quietly below the main road. Its one-bedroom, self-contained…
Bay of Plenty
Sitting pretty at the most beautiful end of the beach, this nine-room motel is gingerbread-cute after a fresh paint job and refurb. Rooms range from…
Bay of Islands & Northland
There's a Cape Cod feel to the three stylishly decked-out cedar chalets positioned in the lavender-filled garden behind the friendly owners' designer…
Bay of Islands
Kip among the kiwi on the eco island of love (aroha), 12km from town. There’s a wide range of reasonably priced options, from the peaceful campsites with…
Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula
Spread over two lovely Edwardian villas on the hillside above town, the plush Mountain Lodge offers affordable luxury (so much nicer than a regular motel)…
Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula
With a waterfront location right in town, Bow Street has self-contained studios and a historic cottage. The cool and chic decor is stylish and relaxing…
Piha Beachstay – Jandal Palace
Auckland Region
Attractive and ecofriendly, this wood-and-glass lodge has extremely smart facilities. It’s 1km from the beach, but there’s a little stream at the bottom…
City Centre & Britomart
This hip historic hotel has been zhooshed up with stripy carpets and clever designer touches in every nook of the 25 extremely comfortable rooms. Prices…
The Far North
This atmospheric 1861 kauri inn is now an elegant boutique hotel with contemporary design and top-notch furnishings in its six rooms and suites. It oozes…
Whanganui
Owned by the same family for more than 50 years, this 1910 house was coincidentally built by an unrelated Brown. There are two rooms out the back with…
New Plymouth
Brimming with character, D&D occupies a labyrinthine 1920s heritage building with bright feature walls and fancy timberwork. Upstairs rooms are the pick:…
