Standing on the edge of glimmering Lake Wakatipu and overlooking The Remarkables mountain range, you’d be forgiven for forgetting you’re only a seven-minute drive from the city when you stay at this sumptuous 15-suite lodge. Rosewood Matakauri – named after a legendary Māori warrior – is where the hardest decision you’ll make is whether to spend the day lazing in your country-style room, floating in the outdoor infinity pool or skiing down the slopes of nearby Coronet Peak. No matter which path you choose, all roads lead to finishing the day in The Dining Room, where chef Jonathan Rogers plates up a seasonal menu utilising produce sourced from the property’s kitchen garden and New Zealand providores to create dishes including Big Glory Bay salmon served with kohlrabi and Eastherbrook Farm quail drizzled in black truffle jus and artichoke.

Having opened its doors in early 2024, the InterContinental Auckland, an IHG Hotel, is a gleaming jewel that floats over Waitematā Harbour and the bustling Commercial Bay precinct. Its 139 rooms and suites are decked out in warm timber tones with brass and fluted glass accents, highlighting the moody notes of New Zealand-based artist Fiona Pardington’s photography. In-house restaurant Advieh, situated on the first floor, offers dishes crafted by award-winning chef Gareth Stewart, which give local produce a Middle Eastern twist. Expect Hawke’s Bay lamb served with whipped tahini and Wapiti deer drizzled in harissa XO sauce. For a zesty nightcap, order a Smoky Spicy Paloma – tequila, aperol, habanero and grapefruit soda – at Queens Rooftop & Wineshop bar on the 21st floor and watch the city twinkle below.

The origins of Christchurch’s Observatory Hotel reach back to 1891 with the donation of an equatorial telescope to Canterbury College and the subsequent building of the Observatory Tower. Over the years, the site evolved and ultimately became The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, which was then shaken up in the 2011 Canterbury earthquake. While restoring the heritage Gothic Revivalist buildings in the aftermath, a decision was made to transform the site into a 33-room boutique stay instead, with the hotel opening its doors in 2022. No two rooms are the same here, but each is painted in pastel hues and paired with floral patterned textiles, while the book-filled Drawing Room Lounge pairs exposed brick walls with plush velvet furnishings and bright metal tones. Start your day with fluffy pancakes and a cup of coffee at Bunsen Café around the corner, then make your way to the neighbouring Botanic Gardens for a leisurely stroll.

Perched on Wellington’s colourful Cuba Street, Naumi Studio Hotel Wellington is moments from the neighbourhood’s thriving dining scene, including the mint green-clad Heydey Beer Co brewery and the award-winning Noble Rot wine bar. The hotel’s ultra-cool vibe becomes immediately apparent upon entering: the lobby is accented with a giant gold-leaf floral backdrop while throughout its corridors and 116 rooms, you’ll find artworks and sculptures by Kiwi creatives. Downstairs, at the onsite Lola Rouge restaurant, you’ll indulge in Asian-style dishes such as tempura-battered oysters and a flavour-packed lamb massaman curry. Tip: there’s a whole page dedicated to plant-based dining, too. 

Nestled on the periphery of Lake Wakatipu, Eichardt’s Private Hotel is comprised of seven suites overlooking the Remarkables mountain range or the water, four lakefront cottages and a three-bedroom villa that offers the ultimate seclusion. In the 1860s, migrants flocked to the area upon the discovery of gold and the hotel’s founder, William Gilbert Rees, seized the opportunity to convert his woolshed into accommodation for aspiring prospectors. While the property was gently renovated in 2023, parts of the hotel’s goldrush heritage remain: its in-house spa was previously the hotel’s gold vault and now offers treatments including the signature massage, which incorporates Swedish techniques and finishes with a face and scalp pamper session. When your appetite calls, head to Eichardt’s Bar for tapas-style share plates such as slow-cooked lamb ribs and smoked salmon with creme fraiche. Or amble down to The Grille for elevated French-style fare utilising local produce. 

Heritage charm meets industrial chic in the 99-key Hotel Britomart, where the facade was refreshed in 2020 with 150,000 handmade bricks to help it blend seamlessly with the centuries-old warehouses it calls its neighbours. Located in the commercial Britomart precinct, you’ll be footsteps from the Auckland waterfront and glamorous shopping boutiques offering wares from New Zealand-born Karen Walker, Juliette Hogan, Zambesi and more. For a bite to eat, make your way down to the hotel’s kingi restaurant, where the four-course set dinner menu changes with the seasons and celebrates sustainably-sourced local seafood such as green lipped mussels and Te Matuku Bay oysters. 

Solo travellers and those who like to find a sense of community while on holiday will love the playful charm of the new Drifter Christchurch, a hybrid accommodation, which offers 95 rooms that range from scandi-meets-coastal-style suites to shared bunk rooms that house up to four and eight guests at a time. It's in the CBD-based property’s common areas that you’ll find the soul of the place: the Revel Room is a coworking space by day and late-night hangout spot complete with live DJs by night; Drifter Leisure Club hosts guided meditation sessions and houses a studio for yoga and pilates; while elsewhere you’ll find a cinema and library. On the ground floor lies Rambler, a retro-glam bar plating up classic pub fare such as lamb smash burgers and chicken katsu “sammie” sandwiches, best enjoyed with a Brew Moon pale ale. 

Whether you’d rather visit the Botanic Gardens or Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, Sofitel Wellington puts you in the centre of the city’s greatest attractions. The 127-key hotel’s rooms and suites are opulent, featuring golden accents that highlight a palette of charcoal and cream. Glamorous La Serre – French for “glasshouse” – draws the outside in with lush emerald tones gleaming under a floral light installation. The restaurant plates up share plates and tapas including kingfish tartare and adobo-spiced pork belly cooked over charcoal, while Jardin Grill offers a five-course degustation paired with matched wines. 

Located in the heart of the city, QT Queenstown puts you within easy driving distance of the world-class Coronet Peak and Remarkables ski fields, making it the ideal base for avid adventure-seekers. The hotels’ 134 rooms and suites are kitted out in elegant ski chalet style, with striking abstract art and rugs providing quirky accents, though the highlight will be the tranquil water or mountain views right outside your window.. After a long day exploring the wilderness, order the hotel’s classic Negroni at Reds Bar as the sun sets before heading to the Bazaar restaurant, which offers a slew of global dishes such as Spanish-style eggs and homemade rosti.

The first thing you’ll want to do upon checking into your suite at Fable, just blocks from the Ōtākaro River and Cathedral Square, is soak in your in-room jacuzzi. That’s before making your way to the inhouse restaurant for squid ink fettuccine topped with charred salmon and mango sauce or slow cooked beef cheek served with fried onion rings. Each of the 171 rooms in this contemporary hotel features white leather bedheads, grey feature walls and blonde timber furnishings in addition to locally-made Marihi Aotearoa amenities. Thanks to the property’s central location, you’ll be footsteps from boutique shopping, buzzy restaurants and key attractions including the Isaac Theatre Royal and Victoria Square.

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