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

At this welcoming B&B between Greymouth and Punakaiki, two rooms in the main house and two suites in the garden overlook spectacular coastline and native bush surroundings, and hosts Jan and Stephen will tell you about the local mountain biking and mining. You should take a look at Stephen's great landscape photography, too. Guests can relax in the family lounge, though guest rooms also have private little indoor and outdoor spots.

Tucked on a quiet side street, these comfortably countrified guest rooms, with strong colors and lots of wood in a beautiful old villa, are within easy walking distance of the mighty Buller River. The rooms are spacious with luxurious touches, including free Wi-Fi. Hosts Daphne and Philip hail from Europe and understand hospitality. They love engaging with their guests (without intruding) and will recommend local attractions and good places to eat.

Rooms are spacious, linens are fine, and the art collection is impressive at this villa that was built in the late 1800s. The owner has traveled extensively, and international influences sit nicely amid the decor. Look for the original leather wall linings and ornate leadlight windows. This grand old house has previously served time as a convent and a private home. The Red Room has an impressively large bathroom. Full cooking facilities are also available, there are three guest lounges, and the garden is delightful.

Built for a sea captain, this restored 1880s Victorian villa pairs antiques with modern fabrics and conveniences, so each bedroom has an en suite bathroom with shower; the three luxury rooms also have a separate bathtub. You can settle in with coffee or a drink in by the wood-burning fireplace in the guest lounge, or on the sunny garden deck, or lose yourself in the woodland garden. The house is near the town center. Hosts Karel and David will attend to your every need, and give you some great ideas for exploring the region they love.

This heavenly spot encapsulates what Nelson is all about, with a focus on eco-values in its B&B room, a studio unit in the main house, and a delightful studio cottage in the garden with its own water garden and turf roof. Throw in some lovely hospitality and intelligent conversation with host Paulina, a Tomatis sound therapist, and this is the perfect place to stop a few days and recharge. With three thoughtful villas, there is also a cheaper "the den" option, which sleeps one traveler. 

Follow a lavender-lined driveway to this 1901-built Victorian convent, now a luxury boutique hotel. Its 10 rooms are decorated in an eclectic contemporary style that mixes old and new. Surrounding the building, 16 acres of established gardens and lawns appear to ramble into the surrounding vineyards (tours with head gardener on request). The heated outdoor pool is open from October to May, and six lawn tennis courts are available for guests to use. The hotel's on-site restaurant, Harvest, has just been awarded a Hat in NZ Cuisine Food Awards, and provides a unique dining experience with a deck opening onto the Orangery. 

Tranquillity, marvelous mountain views, and a superb standard of comfort are the hallmarks of this rustic lodge on 35 acres overlooking the Motueka River. Fish is a key focus here, especially dry fly-fishing for brown trout in the wild rivers. Booking ahead is essential during the October-to-April fishing season, and some dates require minimum a two-nights booking. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.