4 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 premium Kiwi holiday park just steps from the center of town has top facilities and hosts. There's the typical range of accommodations, from tent sites and powered campervan sites to cabins with shared bathrooms and fully equipped apartments with en suite bathrooms, kitchens, and dining areas. Booking ahead is recommended in the busy summer season.

Well-appointed cabins and motel units, with various bedding configurations and some with full kitchens, are set on 5 beachfront acres with plenty of trees for shelter. You can get closer to nature on a tent site, or park your campervan on a powered site. The park's shared facilities (kitchens, bathrooms, laundry) are modern, spacious, well laid-out, and lacking for nothing in appliances. Feel free to enjoy the balmy evenings and cook on the barbecue outside. The well-stocked Pohara Store nearby means you will make fewer trips to town for supplies. 

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.