2 Best Hotels in Kaikoura, Upper South Island and the West Coast

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.

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.