Top 10 Hotels in New Zealand's South Island- International Traveller

Here’s where to sleep in New Zealand’s South Island for a total immersion in its wilderness and culture.

Whether it’s a remote luxury lodge, a waterside retreat, a treehouse or even a castle, accommodation in New Zealand’s South Island is all about sharing the landscapes and cultural heritage that makes this part of the world unique. Here’s our pick.

1. Hulbert House, Queenstown

Stay in boutique comfort in one of Queenstown’s original residences: Hulbert House, built in 1888.

Today, this beautifully restored villa accommodates guests across six uniquely designed rooms that are decorated with an eclectic mash-up of English wallpaper, patterned textiles and rich colours that evoke both period elegance and a modern sense of playfulness.

Each boasts a view overlooking Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables or the Skyline Hill and is named after a prominent character in the homestead’s history. Located close to the centre of town, it’s a serene place to retreat to after active days spent out and about in this adventure capital.

Alternatively, seek out The Spire Hotel. Smack-bang in the centre of Queenstown, this luxe hideaway is named after a nearby church steeple.

2. Matakauri Lodge, Queenstown

Perched on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, a 10-minute drive from Queenstown, Matakauri Lodge is a tranquil alpine retreat that offers spectacular mountain views every which way you look.

Scenic views meet you at all angles from the dining room of Matakauri Lodge.The sister lodge to Kauri Cliffs and The Farm at Cape Kidnappers in the North Island (considered among New Zealand’s top lodges), it’s also part of the Luxury Lodges of New Zealand portfolio and frequently appears on world’s best lists.

Most of its 12 rooms and suites come complete with their own private terrace, open fireplace and oversized bath, and the four-bedroom Owner’s Cottage comes with its own infinity-edge hot tub.

The private living and dining areas of the Matakauri Lodge Owners Cottage.

Most of its 12 rooms and suites come complete with their own private terrace, open fireplace and oversized bath, and the four-bedroom Owner’s Cottage comes with its own infinity-edge hot tub.

Views from the main bedroom of the Matakauri Lodge Owners Cottage.

Plus, there’s a heavenly spa nestled next to a pine forest, modern New Zealand cuisine to dine on, and a range of signature experiences to embrace: including a once-in-a-lifetime family excursion to Milford Sound, Queenstown heli skiing and a Southern Lakes art and wine tour.

Owner's Cottage Matakauri Lodge, New Zealand — The private spa on the deck of the Matakauri Lodge Owners Cottage.

3. The Cinema Suites, Te Anau

Te Anau is the gateway town for exploring the glacier-carved wilderness of Fiordland National Park, and checking into The Cinema Suites means your adventure starts early.

Inside the Cinema Suites Main Apartment — Accents of velvet, fur and wood feature heavily inside the Cinema Suites Main Apartment.

Located above the Fiordland Cinema, this townhouse apartment was hand-built by local craftsmen and designed to bring the outside in: a striking feature wall depicts a forest and a plush green wool carpet mimics its mossy floor.

Accents of velvet, fur and wood add further texture to the experience – as does a welcome bottle of local wine and an invitation to venture into the Fiordland via a stirring nature documentary, Ata Whenua – Shadowland, on show at the cinema downstairs.

4. The Lindis, Ahuriri Valley

Five-bedroom luxury lodge The Lindis only opened in January 2019 and has already scooped a major international architecture prize. It’s not hard to see why.

The Linidis — The Lindis disappears almost entirely into its surroundings.

Nestled almost imperceptibly on the floor of the Ahuriri Valley, the lodge is designed to blend into its rugged Southern Alps surrounds, 2.5 hours’ drive from Queenstown.

The Lindis Bedroom — Inside one of the five bedrooms of the luxury lodge, The Lindis.

An elegant slatted roof echoes the contours of the earth below it and spotted gum wooden panelling and bluestone masonry is employed inside to reflect the tones of the landscape.

What’s on your plate at dinner also reflects what’s outside: with dishes including locally foraged porcini mushrooms and wild Fiordland venison.

The Lindis is located on the cusp of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve – so you know the stargazing here is going to be amazing, too.

5. Split Apple Retreat, Abel Tasman National Park

Although there’s a case to be made for camping out in the coastal paradise of Abel Tasman National Park, it’s hard to go past this intimate luxury lodge and wellness spa.

Lee Nelson House Split Apple (Image: Daniel Allen) — Picturesque views from Split Apple Retreat (Image: Daniel Allen).

Owned by retired physician Lee Nelson and his wife, the chef Anne Pen Lee, Split Apple Retreat provides total nourishment for mind, body and soul.

With Japanese inflections throughout, the retreat has just three guest suites, each with its own deck looking out to sea and flanked by fragrant gardens.

Its wellness element consists of a salt-water infinity swimming pool, spa, infrared sauna, yoga sessions, meditation and cooking lessons, complemented by healthy cuisine.

Lee Nelson House Split Apple — The infinity swimming pool at Split Apple Retreat (Image: Daniel Allen).

The retreat also has two private paths that lead to nearby beaches, one of which is home to its namesake landmark: the famous 120-million-year-old Split Apple Rock.

6. Bay of Many Coves, Marlborough Sounds

From the excellently named No Road Inn to quirky eco-lodge Lochmara, the pristine water world of Marlborough Sounds at the top of the South Island is peppered with stunning lodges accessible only by water, air or foot, providing the ultimate escape or welcome retreat for those walking the Queen Charlotte Track.

Perhaps the most show-stopping of all, and a Luxury Lodge of New Zealand, is five-star Bay of Many Coves.

Bay of Coves five star retreat New Zealand — Catch a water taxi for a stay at the five-star Bay of Many Coves.

Architecturally designed apartments are planted in bush that stretches down to the edge of the property’s secluded bay.

Guests fine dine on fresh local seafood and sip Marlborough region wines by the waterfront when the weather’s fine, and indoors by the fireplace in cooler months.

7. Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses, Kaikoura

This contemporary country hotel is set on a deer breeding farm just north of eco-marine town Kaikoura on the east coast of the South Island.

Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses in Kaikoura on the east coast of the South Island.

Alongside its light-filled lodge rooms and three-bedroom Olive House (named after the on-site olive grove), Hapuku offers the unique proposition of sleeping in a treehouse 10 metres high among the canopy of a native kanuka grove (a relative of manuka).

These sleek, timber-clad crashpads have cosy fireplaces, deep soaking tubs and big windows with views out to Kaikoura’s dramatic mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

A sustainable operation through and through, the lodge’s restaurant (helmed by a former Masterchef finalist) sources 85 per cent of its ingredients from its organic garden or locally, including crayfish – Kaikoura’s speciality.

Mountain views from the pool and spa at Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses.

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8. Eco Villa, Christchurch

This charming accommodation is housed in a 1910 timber villa that has been restored and converted into boutique, sustainably minded accommodation.

It’s located on the edge of Christchurch’s city centre, across the street from the famous Cardboard Cathedral (which was built after the city’s original cathedral sustained serious damage in the February 2011 earthquake, and has become a powerful symbol of inspiration and innovation ever since).

There are eight upcycled and individually crafted rooms that cater to all budgets here at Eco Villa, paired with beautiful shared spaces and access to a guest kitchen, edible garden and private outdoor baths.

The owners, with their passion for environmentalism and the Christchurch rebuild, serve a homemade organic breakfast in the morning.

9. PurePods, various locations

Move over, tiny houses. PurePods is where it’s at in New Zealand: an exercise in sustainable luxury and making the most of those jaw-dropping landscapes the South Island has in spades.

Here, six off-grid PurePods are hidden in remote (yet accessible) spots throughout the wilderness: two are 20 minutes inland from Kaikoura and four are within a 90-minute drive of Christchurch.

Solar-powered and kitted out with crisp linen, a good shower, a barbecue, books to leaf through and more, they provide the luxuries of glamping, but with one big point of difference that makes for an absolutely unforgettable stay.

Each PurePod is constructed of heavy-duty glass, which means you can see absolutely everything around you – from the stars above to the native plants underfoot – for a true immersion in the landscape.

10. Larnach Castle, Dunedin

It’s not all luxury lodges, quaint bed and breakfasts and eco pods here: you can also stay at a castle.

Situated on the picturesque Otago Peninsula within the Dunedin city limits, Larnach Castle was built in 1871 and has been lovingly restored by the Barker family, who bought it as a family home in 1967.

It’s a popular attraction, so opt to spend the night so that you can have the castle to yourself when the tours have finished for the day. There’s a range of accommodation on offer including budget options in the historic stables, 12 history-themed rooms within Larnach Lodge and a five-bedroom country house decked out in neo-classical style.

Guests are invited to join a three-course dinner party in the castle’s dining room each night.

Discover New Zealand’s best glamping retreats and plan your trip with our ultimate travel guide to New Zealand.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Top 10 hotels in New Zealand’s South Island