8 Best Hotels in Upper South Island and the West Coast, New Zealand

Just outside town, this nicely laid-out site has cabins, studios, and full motel units, plus powered campervan sites and campsites to suit a range of budgets. A wide variety of guest facilities in the crammed but nicely landscaped shared areas include hot tubs, a heated pool (summer only), a trampoline, indoor/outdoor dining, a barbecue, and a clean, modern kitchen. The view of the Seaward Kaikōura Mountains is breathtaking. There are two holiday parks on Beach Road—this one is on the inland side of the road. Because it slopes away from the main road, traffic noise is minimized. Bookings are essential in summer.

This small homestay right on the water's edge was one of the first houses built in the spectacular Anakiwa Bay, and even served as a school. There are two self-catered guesthouses on this property, a 30-minute drive from Picton at the southern end of the Queen Charlotte Track. The friendly hosts will go out of their way to assist you in exploring the surroundings, or booking local activities. Explore the thoughtful book, board game, and DVD collection, and don't miss the glowworm walk at night. The Queen Charlotte Tavern is about 7 km (4.5 miles) up the road. 

Three self-contained cottages on the shoreline of the Waimea Estuary began life as apple pickers' cottages and have been refurbished in a pleasing rustic style. Separated by high plantings for privacy, each has a full kitchen, ample decks, and a wood fire. Karaka has an outdoor bath on a private deck overlooking the estuary. You can wander the foreshore and do some bird-watching, or explore the 5-acre organic farm and vineyard. Only children over 12 years are permitted to stay. 

A short drive north of Franz Josef village, these stylish, well-equipped one- and two-bedroom villas are in a quiet rural location away from the tourist bustle and helicopters. Each has a spacious lounge, dining area, and kitchen, and opens to private decks with mountain views. Kids can run off energy on the trampoline, or the little farm with its sheep. Gas barbecues are available for guests. 

You'll be lulled by the constant roar of the ocean in these secluded, stylish, and spacious apartments with recycled native timbers and contemporary furniture; there's also a few rustic studio cottages (Rimu or Miro), a larger cottage with sea views and a bath on the deck, a seaside house (Takutai) for larger groups, and a quaint cottage for couples (The Stables Hut) near the lagoon and among the bush. All are completely private, with delightful gardens and some sea views. Look for the entrance about ½-kilometer south of Pancake Rocks. There is a two-night minimum stay. 

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. 

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.