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

Spacious chalets and studios, with native gardens between them, are nestled between Abel Tasman National Park and Marahau Beach. Units are finished in natural wood and have high cathedral ceilings, New Zealand wool carpets, queen- or king-size beds, and balconies. Room-service breakfasts, prepared packed lunches, and a communal kitchen are available. Staff can help make reservations for sea kayaking, water taxis, and hiking. There's a barbecue to share and an outdoor hot tub. Book well ahead for summer.

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.

Cook for yourself if you wish at this modern motel-style accommodation that offers great value, with well-appointed studios and apartments, excellent facilities, and a sunny environment. All units have kitchens, plus there are two appealing barbecue areas. It's close to the Glacier Hot Pools, a two-minute walk to the Wildlife Centre, and an easy walk to restaurants. Best of all, there's lots of forest to look at and native birds to listen to. Some units have a whirlpool bath; light breakfasts are available.

This might be a European alpine-inspired lodge, but the view out the window is all Kiwi—wetlands, forest, and mountains. Accommodations run from hotel rooms and two-bedroom, self-contained apartments to backpacker dorms that include some private rooms. A few two-bedroom apartments are good for families. It's set in the center of the little village a short bushwalk away from Lake Rotoiti. The lodge bar and bistro restaurant offer a good range of Kiwi fare. There is no breakfast included in the rate, but there is a nice menu to purchase meals from.

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. 

Stylish, well-sized guest rooms, with kitchenettes and en suite bathrooms, overlook the town to the main harbor. Thoughtful touches include fans, and DVD players with a library of movies. Some bathrooms have either a whirlpool tub or a multihead shower. A supermarket just opposite is handy for stocking up before hitting the remote areas of the Marlborough Sounds. The friendly hosts are happy to share their wealth of Kiwi traveling advice.

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. 

A charming seaside hotel conveniently located on Kaikōura's Esplanade, at the south end of town, this quaint venue has sea and mountain views galore. Quirky décor decorates the waterfront rooms on the first floor of the historic building. Everything else is on ground level, including the courtyard rooms, which open into a gardened area. A basic continental breakfast is served daily from 8 am, and the bar offers a platter menu every afternoon until close, where an extensive champagne, wine, craft beer and martini list is also on offer.

Halfway up the Tākaka Hill from Motueka, these homey cottages with timber interiors and verandas have all you need for a comfortable stay in the country. The decor has a rustic appeal while the modern kitchens with dishwashers take the hard work out of your day. Your stay can be fully self-catered, or with breakfast or dinner provided. It's within easy reach of Golden Bay, Motueka, and the Abel Tasman area, and the owner might take you out on the 4,000 acre historic farm, depending on what's happening—ask when you arrive. One of their farm-sights is  Parliamentary Pond, once a quarry where all the marble rock for New Zealand's parliament was sourced from. 

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.

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.

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.

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.