5 Hotels with the Best Views in New Zealand

If ever there was a place to book a room with a view, it’s New Zealand. With landscapes straight out of film sets and glossy magazine shoots, this a country where stunning views are around every corner.

New Zealand hotels offer some truly breathtaking vistas and it’s well worth taking advantage of the opportunity to embrace the scenery while on holiday.

For those keen to watch the waves roll in with a morning coffee or toast the sunset over the mountains with a cool beer, here are some of the best hotel rooms with the best views in New Zealand.

1. Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands, Paihia

If the view from your hotel room is top of the agenda, Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands certainly won’t disappoint.

Located in the beautiful Bay of Islands, this charming hotel is nestled in pristine gardens and it’s a short stroll from the vibrant town of Paihia. The bay can be found about three hours from Auckland in the north of the North Island. Comprising 144 tiny islets, it is a popular stop for tourists keen to soak up the sun, swim, snorkel, or just enjoy the scenery.

Scenic Hotel is ideally located to take advantage of the town’s shops, cafes and galleries, as well as a host of outdoor activities on offer down by the water. The hotel offers well-appointed rooms and deluxe suites have private balconies with garden views. There’s a swimming pool on-site, as well as a restaurant and a bar.

Paihia itself is a boutique town and it has a rich history. Just a few minutes away from the centre, visitors can enjoy a trip to the Waitangi Treaty House where, in 1840, the founding document of New Zealand was signed here in the presence of Maori chiefs and British authorities.

Wildlife enthusiasts can also enjoy a Bay of Islands cruise, on which there is a great chance to spot dolphins diving in and out of the water near the bay.

2. Scenic Hotel Te Pania, Napier

Boasting an enviable location in the heart of the quirky town of Napier, Scenic Hotel Te Pania offers sweeping views of Hawkes Bay.

A modern hotel surrounded by Napier’s signature art-deco styling, this is a wonderful base for those looking to enjoy a relaxing break. The rooms feature full-length windows to take advantage of the setting and it’s possible to see far out to sea.

All rooms have a private bathroom, air conditioning, cable television and, most importantly, beautiful sea views. Apartments also have modern kitchens, a lounge and a dining room. On-site, visitors can make use of a gym, and there’s also a restaurant and bar.

Scenic Hotel Ta Pania is located on Marine Parade, making the town of Napier easily accessible on foot. Exploring the town catapults you back in time and the architecture is spectacular.

Sights and experiences to include in your holiday itinerary to this location include Cape Kidnappers gannet colony, where thousands of gannet birds nest, and local wine tasting. A classic car tour is also a great way to see the town in style.

3. Millennium Manuels Resort, Taupo

Tucked away on the shores of serene Lake Taupo, the Millennium Manuels Resort enjoys incredible views.

Lake Taupo is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the Southern Hemisphere and the town centre is also a hub of activity where tourists and local thrillseekers alike indulge in an adrenaline rush. This is the spot for skydiving and bungee jumping, while the thundering cascades of Huka Falls are also nearby for white water rafting.

The surrounding area is also a geothermal hot spot so it’s a great base for exploring geysers or chilling out in the hot springs after a busy day of hiking, biking, sightseeing or something more extreme.

Guests at the Millennium Manuels Resort can marvel at the beauty of the lake from the comfort of their room which all have air conditioning, a mini bar, TV and access to a private terrace or balcony. What could be better than waking up to unspoiled views of the water?

After watching the mesmerising, rippling surface over breakfast, guests can enjoy a dip in the heated pool or a sauna session. There is also a gym and the restaurant boasts views over the lake too. Lake Taupo is around an hour’s drive from Rotorua, a must for anyone keen to enjoy the healing powers of the natural thermal pools.

4. Blue Peaks Lodge & Apartments, Queenstown

When it comes to choosing a room with a view in New Zealand, it doesn’t get much better than Blue Peaks Lodge in Queenstown. Standing in the imposing shadow of mountainous ridges, this hotel is ideally located to explore the thriving hive of activity that Queenstown offers.

Queenstown is well known as the adventure sports capital of New Zealand and there’s a nerve-jangling array of activities on offer. Just a five minute walk from the heart of the action, this is another great base for thrillseekers.

As well as looking out over snow-capped peaks, guests can also enjoy vistas of nearby Lake Wakatipu. Get a closer look on a gentle river cruise or set the pulses racing with a jet boat ride. On dry land, guests can enjoy scenic views from the town’s famous mountain gondolas.

Blue Peaks Lodge and Apartments offer a range of accommodation options including motel style units and larger apartments, which have up to three bedrooms. Apartments have cable TV, a fully-equipped kitchen and a balcony. For those who are keen to hit the slopes in the winter time, ski storage is available too.

5. Hapuku Lodge, Kaikoura

Situated in the shadows of the Kaikoura Range with views out to sea, the Hapuku Lodge is a unique hotel which offers a choice of lodge rooms or luxury treehouses.

Overlooking a deer stud and olive groves with the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other, it’s hard to imagine a more perfect place to stay in New Zealand. Treehouses boast rustic fireplaces and incredible Pacific vistas and guests can enjoy all the mod cons, including an iPod dock and heated flooring.

Lodge rooms have a sumptuous Japanese soaking bath, while the hotel has a lap pool and a spa and guests can also dine at the restaurant.

Kaikoura itself, meanwhile, is famed for its marine wildlife, and this is the best location in the South Island for whale watching. Kaikoura whale watching tours depart at least once a day and they have a very high success rate. Whale species found in the area include sperm whales, orcas and southern right whales. It’s also possible to spot dolphins and seabirds, including the mighty albatross.

Kaikoura is easily accessible by hired car from Christchurch and it’s also on the Coastal Pacific scenic train line that runs from Christchurch to Picton.

Hotels with the Best Views  in New Zealand

New Zealand is a destination that is blessed with an abundance of hotels that offer breathtaking views. Packed with geographical features and natural wonders, guests can marvel at serene lakes, golden beaches, snowy mountains and glaciers without even leaving their hotel room.

There’s a dazzling collection of accommodation options on offer and the chance to enjoy a host of activities both on land and out at sea. From guest houses nestled on lakes and treehouses overlooking the ocean waves, there’s something for every visitor in the land of the long white cloud.

Whether touring the North Island, exploring the South Island or combining the two on an epic New Zealand multi centre holiday, our Destination Experts will help find you a room with a view in New Zealand.