New Zealand Accommodation | Natural Habitat Adventures

Larnach Castle

Location
Dunedin, New Zealand

Larnach Castle and its award-winning gardens are a beacon of the picturesque Otago Peninsula. Situated on a quiet, rural stretch just 20 minutes outside Dunedin, the lodge rooms stand next to the historic stables on the castle grounds. Built over the foundations of old farm buildings, the lodge was designed to evoke a colonial farm building with expansive views over the peninsula and the ocean beyond. Twelve en suite rooms are bright, homey and thematic, designed with individual nods to different elements of the castle setting. Thirty-five acres of surrounding gardens and grounds are idyllic for walking.

Rooms feature Wi-Fi, telephone, television, refrigerators, guest laundry and tea and coffee facilities. Nearby, the 1871 castle was built by a merchant baron as a dream home in which no expense was spared. The castle has been lovingly restored, including a large collection of original New Zealand period furniture and antiques. Dinner is served in the castle’s elegant dining room—three courses of New Zealand-style cuisine using locally-sourced meat, vegetables and wines served house party style for guests in a single seating.

Kaka Retreat

Location
Stewart Island, New Zealand

A tranquil spot nestled within Stewart Island’s native bush, the rustic KaKa Retreat has the dual advantage of having a peaceful atmosphere and the briefest of walks from the beach and town center. The silence might only be broken by the calls of the tui, fantail or kakariki birds—or a kaka, an infamous native parrot. It’s a bird watcher’s delight outdoors, while each self-contained cottage unit provides warm and comfortable accommodations with ensuite bathroom and free WiFi. Cozy beds have electric blankets and wool duvets in addition to the suite’s central heating.

Bay Motel

Location
Stewart Island, New Zealand

With views over the small hamlet of Halfmoon Bay and the bush-clad hills on Stewart Island, the Bay Hotel offers comfortable lodging at the edge of Rakiura National Park, where the kiwi bird can still be viewed in its natural habitat. Nine studio units with en suite bathroom, basic cooking facilities, television, Wi-Fi and complimentary tea and coffee are located within walking distance of the town’s shops and restaurants. Simple, contemporary decor in the rooms includes mission-style headboards, dining table and a comfortable couch. Relax in front of your expanse of windows to take in the famous sunrises, or your deck to enjoy the afternoon sun—a sense of bringing Stewart Island’s nature in.

Distinction Te Anau

Location
Te Anau, New Zealand

Surrounded by extensive gardens and overlooking Lake Te Anau and the Fiordland ranges, the recently renovated Distinction Te Anau Hotel offers stylish contemporary accommodations in one of the world's most breathtaking natural regions. Located on the lakefront, the hotel is just a short stroll from the Te Anau town center. 112 rooms enjoy lake or garden views, all with modern en-suite bathrooms and a host of amenities including air conditioning, flat screen TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities and armchairs to enjoy the panorama outside the large windows. The MacKinnon Room restaurant features fine Fiordland cuisine, while the Explorer Bar and Lakefront Terrace are a great place to enjoy acclaimed New Zealand wines. A heated outdoor swimming pool is open from December through February, and a sauna and spa, with massage available, are always available for guests' relaxation. Room service, Internet access, business services and a guest laundry round out the range of amenities.

Oakridge Resort

Location
Wanaka, New Zealand

The 4-star Oakridge Resort offers comfortable, well-appointed accommodations just a short hop from magnificent Lake Wanaka, with mountain views in the distance. The grounds evoke a definite sense of 'holiday relaxation,' with palms, alpine tussock, stone rockeries and nine beautiful free-form heated swimming pools. Guest rooms are on the ground floor and feature private patios with easy access to the grassy lawn and outdoor recreation area. Rooms have one king or two single beds dressed in fluffy feather duvets. Amenities include cable/satellite TV, mini fridge, tea and coffee-making facilities. The resort also has an unheated lap pool, sauna, a well-equipped fitness center with cardio and weight machines, and the full-service Sanctuary Day Spa located on the premises. Jacob's Grill offers gourmet New Zealand cuisine, while the Poolhouse Bar provides a casual setting for a drink, including a selection of fine New Zealand wines.

Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki

Location
Lake Moeraki, New Zealand

Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki has been at the forefront of nature conservation for more than three decades. After campaigning to have the area protected, Anne Saunders and Gerry McSweeney established the lodge in 1989 to demonstrate the value of ecotourism as a sustainable alternative to native forest logging. Anne and Gerry continue to own and run the lodge today. Few places on Earth can match the natural setting of the lodge, situated in the heart of the 6.7 million-acre South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, Te Wahipounamu. Guests are accommodated in 28 spacious rooms, all stylishly appointed with deluxe beds (a king, or a queen and a single), blonde wood furniture, contemporary bathrooms, tea and coffee facilities, fresh fruit, flowers and home-baked goods. Free satellite broadband Internet is available for guests' use, and a complimentary guest laundry is available.

The lodge serves outstanding meals incorporating fresh local produce, coastal seafood and farm-raised lamb. A team of local naturalist guides led by conservation biologist & Wilderness Lodge founder, Dr. Gerry McSweeney, offers rain forest and beach nature walks, kayaking excursions on Lake Moeraki, and guided fishing for brown trout. A network of forest trails and kayaks are also available for guests to enjoy at their leisure.

Wilderness Lodge Arthur’s Pass

Location
Arthur's Pass, Canterbury, New Zealand

Wilderness Lodge Arthur’s Pass lies in the heart of the Southern Alps, midway between Christchurch and the South Island’s west coast. The contemporary lodge was designed to offer panoramic mountain views from every window while blending discreetly into the natural landscape. The luxury ecolodge combines high-quality accommodations with nature conservation and sustainable high-country sheep farming for a unique and authentic visitor experience. On this spectacular 4,000-acre property, half the land is dedicated to protecting rare plants and animals while merino sheep graze the remainder to produce super-fine wool.

The lodge is a haven of comfort and sophisticated style, offering the best of New Zealand's legendary hospitality. Twenty spacious en suite rooms have glorious views of the peaks of Arthur’s Pass National Park, while special touches like fresh flowers, fresh fruit and home-baked goods enhance your stay. In the Mount Rolleston Restaurant, fresh gourmet meals feature produce from the farm and provide the ultimate fuel for a day of wilderness discovery.

A network of walking trails over the natural terrain invites guests to go exploring, and varied activities are included as part of your stay. Established and still owned by dedicated conservationists Anne Saunders and Dr. Gerry McSweeney, this innovative property has received numerous awards for its commitment to sustainable nature tourism and careful land stewardship.

Distinction Christchurch Hotel

Location
Christchurch, New Zealand

The newly renovated Distinction Christchurch Hotel is a stylish sanctuary fronting a rejuvenated Cathedral Square in the heart of the city. Luxury accommodations feature spacious air-conditioned rooms with en suite bathrooms, contemporary decor and up-to-date technology, including large flat-screen smart TVs and free unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi. Double-glazed windows ensure a quiet, restful night's sleep as you sink into your plush bed. You'll find all the essential amenities you'd expect in an upscale hotel, including bathrobes, slippers, a comfortable lounge chair, a mini bar, and tea- and coffee-making facilities.