3 Best Hotels in Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula, Christchurch and Canterbury

This gem set on a private farm at Pigeon Bay is made up of four secluded villas, including an ultramodern waterfront home and a magnificent Victorian homestead surrounded by expansive heritage gardens with an impressive pool and spa facilities. You can customize packages to suit couples, families, or larger groups, adding extras like helicopter transfers from Christchurch, private gourmet meals, and wildlife boating tours.

Within walking distance to Akaroa township sits an historic Victorian house, which now stands as a bed-and-breakfast. Nestled among well-kept gardens, a petite vineyard and an avocado orchard, the birdsong here is a delight, especially from the native bellbird. Well-known for its outstanding hospitality, hosts Noel and Sharon will put on drinks and homemade hors d'oeuvres for all guests at 6 pm. Breakfast is a delight with both hot-cooked and continental fare. All six rooms are elegantly decorated; the architecture and the setting are superb, and the owner's passion for collecting has transformed the home into a living heritage museum.

Surrounded by a tranquil garden, just a two-minute walk from town and a few steps from Akaroa Harbour, this character Victorian manor house has its original, ornate plaster ceilings and marble fireplaces. The house has been completely refurbished after the earthquakes with modern bathrooms and amenities. You'll also find fresh flowers in the spacious and pleasantly decorated rooms. Drive to the far end of Beach Road where the road runs onto what looks like a private driveway shared by a number of properties. Just follow that road a little farther to Oinako, which is marked.