New Zealand Accommodation Styles

From luxury lodge to backpacker hostel, farmstay or boutique Bed and Breakfast, New Zealand offers you a range of accommodation options for every budget and travelling style. But no matter what your preference or budget, we can provide accommodation that not only meets your requirements, but offers that little something special!

If you are planning a New Zealand driving holiday let a local travel agent help you find the right accommodation for your budget and style preferences. We offer a free, no obligation itinerary planning service - just complete our online enquiry form and we would be happy to help.

Many people ask us what styles of accommodaiton are most popular in New Zealand. For simplicity, we've categorised accommodation into the following groups:

• Luxury - more than just accommodation, these are destinations in themselves
• Self-contained and serviced - by far the most popular with most travellers to New Zealand
• Guest and hosted - also known as B&Bs, for a personal New Zealand experience
• Hotels - come in all shapes and sizes
• Backpackers - for those who are budget conscious, or just prefer to save on accommodation costs

For each of the different styles you'll find one or two examples below. The exception is for luxury accommodation, because the dramatic diversity of these mean that each property requires its own explanation.

Select one of the accommodation styles below, or for more information, or contact us.

Luxury accommodation

If your airline ticket says First Class, then it is more than likely you will want to stay in one of these small, exclusive establishments.

Let your love of spectacular food, five star wines and designer living quarters drive you to explore the top end of New Zealand’s accommodation market. Golf and fishing lodges, boutique hotels and restored historic homes are ready to inject large amounts of style into your visitor experience.

Not only will you enjoy food and wine that showcases New Zealand’s commitment to haute cuisine, you can have a lot of fun building up an appetite.

Depending on where you stay, trout fishing, sailing, golf, skiing, rafting and hiking are activities that will prepare you for an evening of gourmet indulgence. Often your hotel or lodge will provide a guide to ensure you have the best possible time.

You can take for granted the highest standard of service, and the softest pillows. You can also expect a breathtaking view – the sea, a river, a lake, forest or geothermal phenomena, depending on the location of your lodge.

Self-contained accommodation

If you want to do your own thing and have the option of looking after your own cooking and laundry needs, then check out New Zealand's motels, serviced apartments and serviced holiday cottages.

If you like independence and privacy, self-contained motel units, motor lodges and motor inns, and apartments will fit your accommodation brief perfectly.

As they tend to congregate on the main driving routes, they are generally easy to find. They are usually available in a choice of configurations - studio, one bedroom or two bedroom. All units have tea, coffee and toast facilities, most will have TV and many will have cooking facilities. Larger motels often have facilities similar to hotels - swimming pool, spa, sauna, in-house video, laundry, breakfast, restaurant and so on.

Guest and hosted (B&Bs)

Personalise your New Zealand experience by choosing a more interactive style of accommodation. Discover the world of homestays, farmstays, B & Bs, country inns, guest houses, and character and heritage homes.

For a closer connection to New Zealand’s people and culture, visitors can choose to stay in a more ‘home-like’ environment. There are many establishments around the country that provide an unpackaged, sociable style of accommodation. They include home and farm stays, bed & breakfast accommodation, country inns, guest houses, and character and heritage homes.

You can expect a comfortable, attractive bedroom often with tea and coffee making facilities, a television and a phone. Your bathroom could be ensuite, private or shared. Lounge and dining areas are usually shared with other guests. In most cases, breakfast is included in the price. Lunches and dinners are optional extras.

The local knowledge of hosts and staff will enhance your holiday in New Zealand. You’ll find out about activities and attractions, good picnic spots, recommended restaurants and much more. When you wave goodbye, you’ll leave with interesting memories of your stay.

Hotels

From international chains to local originality, in New Zealand it’s easy to find the style of hotel that makes you feel at home.

Hotels in New Zealand come in all shapes, sizes and personalities. You can expect to find top international hotel chains, such as Sheraton, Accor, Hilton, Hyatt, Rydges and InterContinental. You’ll also discover smaller hotels that are memorable for their individuality and in convenient locations on all the main travelling routes.

Large international chains are mostly found in the major cities – Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. They’re also located in key holiday destinations, such as Rotorua and Queenstown.

Character and boutique hotels, which range from heritage buildings to purpose built facilities in stunning regional locations, vary in price according to their level of luxury. Hosts are welcoming and provide insight into the local culture and attractions.

Medium-price chains provide a consistent level of quality and a high standard of facilities, including swimming pools and spas. Look for names like, Mainstay, Kingsgate, Flag Inns, Golden Chain and Pacifica.

Backpackers

Backpackers' lodges and youth hostels add character and flavour to your New Zealand travelling experience. A comfortable bed is just the beginning.

If you’re travelling with a pack on your back, there are hundreds of places to rest your head and share stories with like-minded people. New Zealand’s backpacker lodges and youth hostels have a reputation for being clean and comfortable. Very good value too!

Some lodges are individually owned and operated, others are part of a backpackers’ network.

Room types vary from lodge to lodge. Some only offer dormitory rooms (single sex on request), others provide a choice of dormitory, double, twin and single rooms. In most cases, bathroom and kitchen facilities are shared. Communal dining and living areas are great for meeting people and finding out about where to go next.

If you’re not travelling with a sleeping bag, you can hire bed linen. Laundry facilities are available so you can catch up on washing.