Location: Hokitika, New Zealand

On the wild west coast of New Zealand’s South Island, this contemporary hotel sits right on Hokitika Beach, where driftwood-strewn sand meets the rolling surf of the Tasman Sea and the jagged, snowy Southern Alps rise behind the town. Just steps from your door, beachcomb along the shoreline, take in mountain views or walk to the town center, where galleries and artisan shops showcase local art and the region’s distinctive greenstone, or pounamu, carved into jewelry and sculpture.

The lounge is sleek and light-filled, with pale wood accents and expansive windows framing views of the shore. The snowy peaks of the Southern Alps rise behind the hotel. Ocean View Rooms face the Tasman Sea, and second- and third-floor rooms open onto private balconies above the surf. Bathrooms feature heated floors and either walk-in showers or spa baths. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner overlooking the water. Menus incorporate local produce and seafood, including West Coast whitebait and New Zealand lamb served on a hot stone.

Sustainability initiatives include EV charging stations, reusable glass water bottles and environmentally responsible cleaning products that reduce chemical waste and single-use packaging. Through its partnership with The Green Dream Initiative, the hotel also recycles plastic bottles into guest amenities; more than 15,000 bottles have been repurposed through the program.