Even though you may still mourn those travel plans that never existed, all hopes of a relaxing vacation are not lost. Far from it … our own backyard is full of breathtaking scenery, culinary delights and fabulous hotels, and there has never been a better time to navigate.
In case you need a stay, we’ve got the buzz on New Zealand’s best luxury hotels, so you can drink champagne in a thermal pool ASAP. Start packing those bags!
Best luxury hotels in Auckland
Lodge Delamore
Waiheke Island
Enjoying sublime panoramic views over the Hauraki Gulf, the elegant Delamore Lodge on Auckland’s Waiheke Island. Mediterranean-inspired with a unique New Zealand twist, this luxury lodge (pictured above) blends into the hillside, with an innovative design mimicking the shape of a matau, the traditional Maori hook. The gorgeous rooms are filled with local artwork, framed by floor-to-ceiling windows and a private patio for soaking up the sun. There’s even a gorgeous infinity pool with, wait, a waterfall. Follow up with an exclusive tailor-made five-course dinner, accompanied by a range of award-winning local wines. Yes please!
![A bath in front of a breathtaking view in a room at Park Hyatt Auckland.]()
Park Hyatt Auckland
Park Hyatt AucklandAUCKLAND
Relax in the heart of the city at Park Hyatt Auckland, a taste of luxury perfectly positioned on Auckland’s waterfront. It is a feast for the senses from the moment you step into the impressively designed lobby. With a lavish spa, hydrotherapy, and detoxifying Himalayan salt sauna on-site, you’ll feel like a new person. Plus, the spacious marble bathrooms have separate rainfall showers and tubs, with floor-to-ceiling windows for unobstructed views of the WaitmematÄ. The flagship Onemata restaurant offers fine local cuisine, and the Captain’s Bar, with its extensive menu of fortified spirits including over 60 varieties of rum, is the perfect place for a nightcap.
Cordis Auckland
AUCKLAND
The crown of New Zealand’s largest hotel, Auckland’s The Cordis Hotel, with its new Pinnacle Tower, proves that bigger is better. The Pinnacle Tower opened in October 2021, and it takes your luxury stay to new heights (literally, it’s seventeen floors!). The spacious guest rooms are designed with natural light and contemporary elegance in mind, providing exceptional comfort so you’ll forget how close you are to home. For dinner, the Eight Restaurant features eight different international cuisines led by expert chefs, giving your palate a delicious world tour. End the day relaxing with cocktails and canapes at Our Land Is Alive or the Club Lounge bar where you will admire the most breathtaking views in the city. No wonder this makes our list one of the best luxury hotels in New Zealand.
![A sumptuous room at Woodhouse Mountain Lodge, one of New Zealand's finest luxury hotels.]()
Woodhouse Mountain Cabin
Woodhouse Mountain CabinWarkworth
Described by customers as “a little bubble of serenity”, the Woodhouse Mountain Lodge on the Kourawhero Estate offers a slice of paradise in Warkworth. Just an hour’s drive from Auckland, the lodge’s private villas are nestled amid lush gardens with stunning views from the top of the mountain stretching out to the Hauraki Gulf. With not one, but three sophisticated dining rooms, a lounge bar and a cozy library, you’ll be ready for a weekend of relaxation. There are large open fireplaces and wide verandas which provide the perfect place to unwind after a spa treatment. Watching the sunset from the spa tub in your room is highly recommended!
The best luxury hotel in Wellington
![A woman walks by the large swimming pool at the Intercontinental Hotel in Wellington, one of New Zealand's top luxury hotels.]()
The Intercontinental
Wellington
If you are looking for the ultimate in luxury in our capital, the five-star hotel The InterContinental is certainly one of Wellington’s best luxury hotels. The rooms are elegantly decorated and spacious, featuring large bathrooms with only the best modern amenities. Guests have access to the fitness center with indoor heated swimming pool, spa, sauna and massages. With three delicious restaurants on-site, you’re spoiled with a range of delicacies, from tea in the Lobby Lounge to a chic brunch at Two Gray. Or, enjoy fine dining from the comfort of your bed if room service is what you fancy.
The best luxury hotel in Hawke’s Bay
![A well appointed room at the Mangapapa Hotel in Hawkes Bay.]()
Mangapapa Hotel
Mangapapa HotelHAWKE’S BAY
Set among acres of beautiful orchards and gardens, the The Mangapapa Hotel in Hawke’s Bay is the idyllic escape you’ve been looking for. The twelve bedrooms are all individually decorated, offering a comfortable, family-friendly approach to a luxury stay. The magnificent property is split between the charming historic property dating from 1885 and two adorable cottage suites with private balconies. Best of all, it’s a prime location for visiting a number of popular area wineries such as Craggy Range and Elephant Hill. And don’t forget to dine at the hotel’s restaurant, which offers a five-course menu featuring fine produce grown on site.
The best luxury hotel in Malborough
![A lovely room loaded with Kiwi symbols at Marlborough Lodge, one of New Zealand's finest luxury hotels.]()
Marlborough Lodge
Marlborough LodgeBLENHEIM
Right next to a working vineyard in the heart of New Zealand’s most famous wine country, the magnificent Marlborough Lodge is a wine lover’s dream. The boutique hotel is designed to relax, with a spa where the stained glass windows cast a colorful glow over the treatment room, a historic feature of the chapel it once was. Guests can enjoy swimming in the pool, games of tennis, and private wine tasting in the park, making it ideal for wine connoisseurs and outdoor enthusiasts. If you want to venture a little further, you are in the perfect location to hike through the region’s spectacular scenery or sea kayaking in the Marlborough Sounds.
Best luxury hotels in Canterbury
![The entrance to the George Hotel in Christchurch.]()
The Georges
CHURCH-CHRIST
![The exterior of the magnificent Lindis in the Ahuriri Valley at dusk.]()
The Lindis
The LindisAHURIRI VALLEY
Nestled in the nearby rugged mountain ranges Omarama, in the heart of the South Island, is the perfectly secluded boutique hotel The Lindis. Take your pick from the many hiking trails that crisscross the surrounding resort of Ben Avon, or borrow one of the horses at the on-site box for an easy ride to the lagoon or a hike through the beech forest. Spend your evenings stargazing and days doing everything from target shooting and fly fishing, to stress-relieving spa treatments and private cooking lessons. Decadent breakfasts and multi-course dinners are included with every stay, so you’ll be deliciously fueled to experience the sights.
Best luxury hotels in Otago![An elegant guest suite at the Fable Hotel in Dunedin, featuring a plush bed with tartan plaid]()
Fable
DUNEDIN
Nothing less than absolutely beautiful, Fable is located right in the heart of Dunedin. Housed in an elegantly renovated Victorian-era building, the five-star boutique hotel has everything you could possibly need for a dreamy night’s sleep and relaxation in the bedroom. The rooms are nicely decorated, modern and minimalist with tartan notes in homage to Scottish settlers. Head to the hotel’s cafe-style restaurant, The Press Club, which pays homage to Dunedin’s original haunt for editors and editors in the 1870s. The sharing of plates made with local organic produce is created by the hotel’s award-winning chef. In addition, there is an extensive whiskey menu, perfect for a pre-dinner cocktail or to end the evening in style.
QT Hotel
QUEENSTOWN
If a day on the slopes is your jam but you don’t want to compromise on extravagance, you’ll find the ultimate in alpine luxury in Queenstown at the fabulous QT Hotel. Wake up to majestic mountain views from this impeccably styled lakefront oasis, best enjoyed from your Juliet balcony. The rooms are elegant with comfortable touches and the special feature of the boutique hotel chain is known and includes a free entertainment package. After a busy day on the snow, head to the Reds Bar, where locals and guests order a cocktail or a brasserie. Foodies with adventurous tastes will be drawn to the hustle and aroma of the interactive bazaar market, where chefs create dishes before your eyes.
![The lakeside view of the romantic and character Blanket Bay in Glenorchy]()
Cover bay
Cover bayGlenorchy
Surrounded by breathtaking mountains, The beautiful lakeside location of Blanket Bay in Glenorchy is perfect for a romantic getaway without straying too far from home. The luxury lodge rooms are the epitome of cozy charm, with warm wood furnishings, private balconies and inviting fireplaces to keep you warm. With all of the best spa facilities, you can pamper yourself before heading to your own table in the magnificent high-ceilinged dining room, an intimate evening of seasonal cocktails and a tasting menu in front of you.
Do you feel blown away by the beauty of our house? Discover these beautiful places you had no idea were in New Zealand.
Image credit: Main image and top image – Delamore Lodge, Park Hyatt Auckland, Cordis Auckland, Woodhouse Mountain Lodge, The InterContinental, Mangapapa Hotel, The Marlborough Lodge, The George, The Lindis, Fable Dunedin, QT Queenstown, Blanket Bay.
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