Indagare Matchmaker: New Zealand’s Best Hotels

A trip to New Zealand is an epic 10/10: the world-class lodges, the food, the people, the landscapes—which range from mountains to woods to beach to farmland—and everything is stunning.

Below, we cover our favorite properties on the North and South islands, plus the highlights at each hotel.

The first of three iconic sister properties on the North Island that are now operated by Rosewood (the other two: Rosewood Cape Kidnappers and Rosewood Matakauri), Rosewood Kauri Cliffs is near the island’s northernmost tip. It has a top-rated golf course but also beautiful beaches and hikes on property. This is a great place to start a New Zealand itinerary because it’s not far from Auckland and offers a big wow. The barbecue dinner on the beach is always a highlight. The spectacular new three-bedroom residences have private pools and are ideal for families.

Location: Bay Of Islands

North Island Landscape: Rolling green hills, palm and silver beech trees, pink beach

Vibe: Elegant, polished, slightly formal, feels like a country club

Key Activities: World-class golf course, swimming, walks around property, a Can-Am off-road tour, pickleball

Insider Tip: Skip the three-hour drive by making your transfer from Auckland by helicopter. It’s a gorgeous ride of about an hour that gives you a lay of the land with views of coves, beaches and teal water.

Any passionate golfer will want a night or two at the beachfront Te Arai Links in Mangawhai. About an hour north of Auckland, it makes a good first stop on an itinerary for golf lovers. Opened in 2022, the property is known for two exceptional golf courses: the North Course, designed by the esteemed Tom Doak (who also designed nearby Tara Iti and Cape Kidnappers), and the South Course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The resort's casual restaurant, Ric's, is flanked by a 2.5-acre putting green (the largest in the world), known as the Playground; bring your putter and play between cocktails.

Location: Mangawhai

North Island Landscape: Links course, sand dunes, wide beach

Vibe: Casual, relaxed

Key Activities: Golf, beach walks, spa

Insider Tip: Golfers will also want to play nearby Tara Iti, also designed by Tom Doak and ranked the number two golf course in the world by Golf Digest. Though it's a private club, they will accept non-members once, pending availability, by invitation from a member. (You will have better luck in the shoulder season.)

If Nantucket and Napa Valley had a baby, it would be Waiheke Island, a one-hour ferry from Auckland. Wineries, art galleries, restaurants, garden sanctuaries and hidden beaches make for fun exploring by Jeep. Add a few nights here to the beginning or end of any New Zealand itinerary for a relaxed escape. The Boatshed Hotel, a casual and charming bed-and-breakfast on a hilltop, makes an ideal base from which to explore.

Location: Waiheke Island

North Island Landscape: Rolling hills, beaches, cute towns

Vibe: Casual, hippie, fun to explore

Key Activities: Wineries, beaches, art galleries, shops, wandering

Insider Tip: Book lunch or dinner at the romantic and picturesque restaurant at Mudbrick Vineyard, overlooking fragrant gardens of sculpted topiary and lavender.

Located in the woods on the banks of an emerald-green river, Huka Lodge, Beckons is an intimate and cozy fishing property with wood paneling, books, roaring fires and hunting prints on the walls. It pairs well with The Farm at Cape Kidnappers.

Location: Taupo

North Island Landscape: Woods, river, famous nearby waterfall

Vibe: Cozy fishing lodge with wood paneling

Key Activities: Fishing with a guide, white-water rafting

Insider Tip: Book a private dinner in advance at one of the lodge’s special locations, such as in the library or down by the river.

A 6,000-acre working sheep station, Rosewood Cape Kidnappers has a compelling landscape of undulating hills with a superb golf course. There is a bird sanctuary on property that protects endangered kiwis. It’s a great pick for families; book three nights to make the most of the many excursions.

Location: Hawke’s Bay

North Island Landscape: Dramatic, undulating hills, clifftop views

Vibe: Outdoorsy, active

Key Activities: Top-rated golf course, farm tour, ATVs, gannet walk, wineries, Can-Am tour

Insider Tip: At certain times of the year, you can go out with the property’s on-site biologist to find baby kiwis, who have radio collars. The biologist will find them in the forest duff, weigh and measure them and feed them grubs to help them survive in the wild.

A drive or helicopter ride from Wellington on the Southern tip of North Island, Wharekauhau Country Estate (pronounced Foray-ko-ho) is a traditional country station on 5,000 spectacular acres overlooking Palliser Bay. The property is a comfortable and stylish home base to meet other guests and enjoy the many activities offered on property, as well as in the surrounding area, such as wine tasting in Martinborough and a visit to the fur seal colony in nearby Ngawi fishing village.

Location: ​Palliser Bay

North Island Landscape: ​Expansive ocean views, dramatic cliffs, rolling farmland and foothills

Vibe: ​Coastal country estate experience, traditional seaside décor

Key Activities: ​Working Farm Tour, ATV Quad Biking on the black-sand beaches, clay shooting, surfcasting

Insider Tip:​ Witness a sheep shearing demonstration and sheep dogs in action on the property's Signature Farm Tour and then hike up the nearby Mt. Wharekauhau for spectacular views.

A restored Victorian country-house hotel in the farmland outside of Christchurch, Otahuna Lodge is known for its exceptional food. Chef Jimmy McIntyre, now in his 16th year at the property, makes good use of the more than 140 different fruits, vegetables, nuts and mushrooms grown in the property's expansive gardens.

Location: Tai Tapu

South Island Landscape: Canterbury Plains, pastoral

Vibe: Restored country house, gardens, cozy, foodie

Key Activities: Cooking class, boat excursion to see dolphins, garden tour, walks

Insider Tip: The ultimate Otahuna combination is a garden tour with Jimmy followed by a cooking class using what was harvested.

Opened in 2022, The Homestead at Flockhill Lodge is an exceptional fully staffed, four-bedroom villa atop a hill in the rugged landscape of Craigieburn. It's a working sheep station, and one of the best activities is seeing the sheepdogs in action herding with the fantastic local guide.

Location: Arthur's Pass, Craigieburn, near Christchurch

South Island Landscape: Mountains, grassland, waterfalls, boulders

Vibe: Modern aesthetic, private, impeccable, exclusive

Key Activities: Hiking amid limestone boulders, farm tour, walk to waterfalls, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking

Insider Tip: Ask the chef to do a barbecue night outside by the fire one night with marshmallows to roast. This is a highlight for families in particular.

Set on a 50,000-acre working farm in Wanaka, adjacent to Mount Aspiring National Park, Minaret Station offers an immersive wilderness experience. The property, which has just four chalets, can only be reached by boat or helicopter. It’s intimate and special and a reflection of the Wallis family’s very personal vision.

Location: Wanaka

South Island Landscape: Southern Alps, wilderness

Vibe: Remote, immersive, rustic, special, authentic

Key Activities: Helicopter excursions, hiking right from the property, farm tour

Insider Tip: Arrange a full-day Fiordland helicopter excursion to Milford or Dusky Sound. It’s an epic excursion that is best done with their guides and pilots.

With perhaps the most spectacular views of any lodge in New Zealand, Blanket Bay overlooks Lake Wakatipu with the Southern Alps spread behind. It is a fantastic gateway to the wilderness areas around Glenorchy, including the Routeburn Track for hiking and the Dart River for boating.

Location: Glenorchy

South Island Landscape: Lakefront, vast mountainous views, sense of majesty

Vibe: Ski lodge

Key Activities: Hiking, nature walks, jet boats

Insider Tip: You can horseback ride right from the property.

This newcomer (which opened in 2025) is our top pick in Queenstown for its location (an easy walk to restaurants and shops), its food (the on-site Essence restaurant was just awarded New Zealand's first two-Michelin-star designation), its design (by Virginia Fisher) and its staff.

Location: Queenstown

South Island Landscape: Lakefront, right on the edge of Queenstown

Vibe: Chic, elegant

Key Activities: Adventure activities (Shotover Jet, bungee jumping), hiking, visits to Arrowtown, biking

Insider Tip: The three-bedroom and four-bedroom suites are knockouts.