Must-see hotels in North Island

  • Manawa Ridge

    Coromandel Peninsula

    The views from this castle-like eco-retreat, perched on a 310m-high ridge 6km northeast of Waihi, take in the entire Bay of Plenty. Made of recycled…

  • Waipoua Lodge

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    This fine old villa at the southern edge of the forest has four luxurious, spacious suites, which were originally the stables, the woolshed and the calf…

  • Mangonui Waterfront Apartments Motel

    The Far North

    Character radiates from the kauri boards of these apartments, which occupy a set of historic houses on the Mangonui waterfront. Each is different, ranging…

  • Abri Apartments

    Bay of Islands

    Choose between one of two free-standing pole houses, set within subtropical gardens, or a spacious one-bedroom suite under the owners' home. All three…

  • Eden Park B&B

    Kingsland & Mt Eden

    The hallowed turf of Auckland’s legendary Eden Park rugby ground is only a block away, and while the rooms aren’t overly large, they mirror the Edwardian…

  • Driving Creek Villas

    Coromandel Peninsula

    This is the posh, grown-up’s choice – three spacious, self-contained, modern, wooden villas with plenty of privacy. The Polynesian-influenced interior…

  • Russell Top 10

    Bay of Islands

    This leafy and extremely well maintained holiday park is close to the town centre, with good facilities, pretty hydrangeas, tidy cabins, and excellent…

  • Lodge Bordeaux

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    This upmarket European-styled drive-in motel has tasteful units with stellar kitchens and bathrooms (most with spa baths), private balconies on the…

  • Tarlton’s Lodge

    Bay of Islands

    Striking architecture combines with modern decor in this hilltop B&B with expansive bay views. All three suites have their own outdoor spa, perfect for a…

  • Kauri Villas

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    Perched on a hill with views over the harbour back to Whangārei, this airy white timber homestead has two massive suites, each with two bedrooms and a…

  • Cable Bay Views

    Waiheke Island

    These three modern, self-contained studio apartments have stellar vineyard views and are handy to a couple of Waiheke's best vineyard restaurants. Check…

  • Waihi Beach Lodge

    Coromandel Peninsula

    A short stroll from the beach, this accommodation features colourful and modern rooms, and a studio apartment with its own kitchenette. Legendary…

  • Baystay B&B

    Bay of Islands

    Enjoy valley views from the spa pool of this slick, gay-friendly establishment. Yorke Rd is off Puketona Rd, just before the falls. Minimum stay of two…

  • Powderhorn Chateau

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    At this Swiss-style chalet, guests stay in rooms where their favourite Lord of the Rings characters set up during filming. Peter Jackson booked out the…

  • Wood Pigeon Lodge

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Three separate options make up this very comfortable accommodation overflowing with rural charm in Raurimu, around 5km north of National Park Village…

  • Creel Lodge

    Lake Taupo Region

    Set in lush gardens, this heavenly hideaway backs onto a fine stretch of the Tongariro River and is as peaceful as a trout pool. Nineteen spacious, self…

  • Chateau Tongariro Hotel

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Like most old mountain folk, this iconic 1929 hotel has weathered, though its grandeur – in the style of the original US national park hotels – is…

  • Lottin Point Motel

    East Cape

    Effervescent new owners have breathed life back into this ol' motel at remote Lottin Point, a wiggly 4km detour off the highway. Two accommodation blocks…

  • Waterfront Hotel

    New Plymouth

    Sleek and snazzy, Waterfront is the place to stay if the boss is paying. Within walking distance of the major sites, the minimalist studios are pretty…

  • Finlay Jacks

    Taupo

    Our pick of Taupō's hostels, homely Finlay Jacks has turned an ageing motel into a colourful hub. The 12-bed dorms feel spacious, with bunks separated…

  • Discovery

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    This versatile complex is all things to all people: campsites through to plush, lawn-surrounded wooden chalets with in-your-face volcano views. An on-site…

  • Oreti Village

    Lake Taupo Region

    This enclave of smart, self-contained apartments sleeping between four and nine people sits high over the lake, surrounded by bird-filled native bush and…

  • Snowman Lodge & Spa

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    If you’ve come down from the mountain with tired limbs, this recent motel makeover could be just the ticket. Behind the ochre facade is a medley of small…

  • Emerald Inn

    Auckland

    Across the harbour bridge in Takapuna, the Emerald Inn is arrayed around a leafy courtyard and pool. It's just metres from Takapuna Beach, and there are…

  • Nice Hotel

    New Plymouth

    A high-class hotel from top to tail – ‘nice’ is the understatement of the decade. In fact it's New Plymouth’s oldest timber building (1870, ask to see the…

  • Park Hotel

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Our pick when tackling the Alpine Crossing, the Park has neat, if small, double, king and family mezzanine rooms with photos of Tongariro by a local…

  • Out in the Styx

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    Out in the Styx is near the southern end of the Maungatautari guided day- and night-walk options. The three stylishly furnished rooms are especially nice,…

  • Tuscany Villas

    Bay of Plenty

    This Tuscan outlier offers a few rays of Italian sunshine with wrought-iron balconies, a summertime guest-only, pop-up pizzeria and wine bar, and little…

  • Lake Taupo Holiday Resort

    Taupo

    This slick 8-hectare park, at the edge of town, has all mod cons, including a huge thermally heated lagoon swimming pool with a movie screen and swim-up…

  • Tivoli Homestay

    New Plymouth

    About 5km west of the town centre and 1km from Paritutu Rock is this charismatic, three-room B&B with friendly owners. Aside from serving one of the best…

  • Bridge to Nowhere Lodge

    Taranaki & Whanganui

    This remote lodge lies deep in Whanganui National Park, 21km upriver from Pipiriki near the Matemateāonga Track. The only way to get here is by jetboat…

  • Wainamu Luxury Tents

    Auckland Region

    Inspired by safari tents from Botswana and Māori whare (houses), these very comfortable tents combine quiet rural locations, recycled timber construction…

  • Ohiwa Beach Holiday Park

    Bay of Plenty

    This pocket of peace is squeezed into a remote corner between Ohiwa Harbour and a gorgeous ocean beach, 14km west of Ōpōtiki. Pohutukawa trees, phoenix…

  • Tauranga on the Waterfront

    Tauranga

    A short stroll from central Tauranga, this well-established place has renovated studios with compact private courtyards, and brilliant harbour suites with…

  • Tongariro Crossing Lodge

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    This pretty, farmhouse-like cottage is decorated with baby-blue trim and rambling blooms in summer. Suites are large with period furnishings – two studios…

  • Arista

    Rotorua

    The best of a clutch of motels on Fenton St, south of the town centre, Arista claims to have Rotorua's largest family rooms. Each room is two-level and…

  • Whangamomona Hotel

    Taranaki & Whanganui

    The grand old Whangamomona Hotel was built in 1912 after the original burnt down. It's a pub offering simple accommodation and big country meals (mains …

  • River Lodge

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    In a rural setting 8km from town, backing onto the Mangawhero River, this charming property has three double rooms in the house and two very cosy chalets…

  • Ponsonby Manor

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    A good-value option to experience Ponsonby's combination of heritage ambience and cosmopolitan city style, Ponsonby Manor features accommodation options…

  • Navigate Seaside Hotel

    Napier

    Navigate yourself towards Navigate for 26 snazzy apartment-style units over three levels, with funky furnishings, nifty perforated-metal balconies and sea…