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Bed-and-breakfasts, farm stays, and homestays, all a variation on the same theme, abound in the South Island in some spectacular coastal and mountain environments. Your hosts will generally feed you great breakfasts and advise on where to eat and what to do locally. Other choices include boutique luxury lodges and hotels, or less expensive but well-equipped motel rooms and backpacker lodges.
Locals generally take vacations from Christmas through January, so book early at these times. From March through November everything settles down, and in most towns you can book at short notice. Heating is standard in virtually every room, especially in cooler southern regions, and most places around Nelson and Marlborough, which can be hot in summer, provide air-conditioning.
This two-story luxury lodge sits in the country, high above the Hokitika River valley. The views stretch across the river, farms, and native forest to the Southern Alps. The lodge, with four spacious guest rooms, is framed by 3 acres of native bush and garden. Two ground-floor guest rooms open out to a large breakfast deck. Upstairs the rooms are larger, as are the views. The social hub of the lodge is the Great Room, with its spectacular cathedral ceiling and big fireplace.
Just a two-minute walk from Pohara Beach, this inn has striking adobe and tile construction, wide verandas, a turf roof, and a touch of Mediterranean decor. There's a small (and popular) restaurant, focusing on local-grown organic foods; you can take breakfast and dinner here, but be sure to book ahead. The big communal bathroom is adorned with subtropical plants, and the garden abounds with grape and kiwifruit vines and big leafy shade trees. The rooms are truly comfy, light and airy, though all but one (which is self-contained) share the large bathroom complex.
Set along State Highway 6, this laid-back oceanfront resort borders Paparoa National Park. It's a 15-minute walk from the iconic Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. The rooms are clean and spacious with nice patios or balconies overlooking a mix of beach, ocean and rainforest garden views. There's a cozy lounge with a large fireplace, and a restaurant serving good-quality food all day and sunset views.
Private, boutique accommodation in an 1886 Victorian villa, this is one of Picton’s most historic homes. The verandas overlook 5 acres of lush landscaping and bush. The suites and apartments feature carved wooden bedsteads, stained-glass windows, en suite bathrooms, and lounge and dining areas. Generous, fresh breakfast provisions are included. The Picton shops are a 1-km (½-mile) walk.
These stylish oceanfront wooden cabins, chalets, and motels are as close to the beach as you'll get. Chalets have full kitchens, and some are equipped with whirlpool baths. Cabins at the back of the camp have relaxing views to a grassy enclosure where alpaca, goats, sheep, and pigs graze. There are also campsites and powered campervan sites here, a well-equipped shared kitchen, and a barbecue area. There's even a glowworm dell just out the back; take a look when it gets dark. A continental breakfast is available on request.
This rural retreat has four self-contained cottages dotted around an expansive rambling garden and surrounded by vineyards. The boutique cottages are in fact former farm buildings, ungraded and furnished in comfortable rural-style with private outdoor spaces, barbecues, and verdant views. Breakfast is delivered to your accommodation. This is also a great place for kids, with a swimming pool and a cool kids' play hut.
Perched on the cliff overlooking the Steeples rocks offshore, this self-contained cottage (with sea views) along with a studio are great value. Hosts Wendy and Wayne have a strong local knowledge and give you the opportunity to be as pampered or as independent as you want. Wendy has a lovely garden to wander around or you can sit at the table on the cliff top and enjoy a glass of wine while watching the sunset. Lighthouse Road can be tricky to find so get instructions first.
Nestled beside an estuary, this estate features pure, simple luxury. Guests in the four purpose-built villas and suites come together for champagne each evening. Te Koi is surrounded by mature gardens. At high tide, the lawn is lapped by the sea and at low tide you can walk onto the sand flats. Full breakfast hamper included. Play some pétanque (bocce) or tennis, then relax in the solar-heated pool.
Here you'll feel ensconced not only in luxury but also the rain forest, as the hotel has been built to fit in and not intrude on the trees—from concrete jungle to real jungle, as their mantra states. Enjoy the possum fur pillows, bathroom underfloor heating, and deliberately designed decor: the foyer is glacial-white while the dark rain-forest bar even comes with glowworms. Two-night stays are encouraged—that gives you more chance of fine weather for glacier trips, and the opportunity to try both the à la carte menu and the five-course degustation dinner. Amaia Day Spa is in the hotel, and the hot pools are just a walk down a rain-forest path away.
At this friendly, traditional B&B in the center of town, accommodation is in five rooms in the house (upstairs and downstairs) and in a cute, stand-alone cottage set in a delightful "miner's garden" behind the house. Fully cooked breakfasts are included and guests can share the lounge in the main house. The inn is named for famous Hokitika surgeon-mountaineer-conservationist, Dr. Ebenezer Teichelmann, who built the original part of the house. Hosts Frances and Brian will encourage a visit to the museum across the road, which Brian helps run.
Located in central Nelson, on the banks of the tidal Maitai River, this hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay, with many of the city's attractions within walking distance. Featuring an on-site restaurant and a heated outdoor pool, it also offers accessible suites on the ground floor. Book a riverfront or river view room, some of which feature spa baths and hydro massage showers.
A small but stunning lodge nestled on a small peninsula beside the Pakawau Estuary, Twin Waters overlooks the surrounding hills and wetlands. Despite the very Kiwi environment outside, the lodge rooms have international themes, with names such as Shanghai, Zanzibar, Safari, and Naigani, decorated with artwork discovered on your hosts' winter travels. Rooms are stylish and elegant, with curved timber ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. Rates quoted include breakfast supplies, which guests can prepare at their leisure in a beautiful modern shared kitchen. Dinner can also be prearranged.
Set among the vines in the Wairau River valley of Renwick, this villa accommodation is only a five-minute walk to the cellar doors of three wineries, and 10--15 minutes to many others. The villas are dotted around parkland lawns and gardens, and there's also a solar-heated pool, tennis courts, a pétanque strip, and croquet sets. A selection of outdoor toys and play-huts will keep children amused. There are nine two-bedroom, two-bathroom villas and two three-bedroom, two-bathroom villas, all fully self-contained, including BBQ and spa.
This graceful villa has one of the best waterfront locations in town. The 1905 house features native rimu-wood floors, luxurious furnishings, local artwork, and historic maritime photographs. Pure wool rugs warm the floors while heavy feather duvets warm the beds. Hospitality here is legendary; breakfast is different every day, and evening drinks and snacks are served on the sweeping veranda. One of the owners also runs a RYA sailing school (Sail Nelson) and you are welcome to set sail with him.
For unpretentious luxury near the glaciers, turn to this spacious, modern lodge-style B&B just a few minutes' drive from Franz Josef village. Rooms are spacious, with timber surroundings and a neutral color palette, some with outdoor decks. A huge open fire warms the guest lounge, which has an exceptional alpine and bush outlook. Hosts cook up a great breakfast.
A waterfront view is hard to ignore—even more so on the rugged Kaikōura coast—and this rather fancy apartment-style lodge is just across the road from the beach and a few minutes' walk from the town center. The suites have double spa baths, as do a few of the other rooms; three units are two stories, well-suited for families or larger parties. The apartments have good-size kitchen areas and everything for a longer stay, some with laundry.
