"Annandale Four private villas, including a historic homestead, are spread across a 4,000-acre coastal farm. The landscape undulates between bays and the Southern Alps an hour and a half from Christchurch on New Zealand ’s majestic South Island. Each property showcases unique design elements: Scrubby Bay’s living room is outfitted in Missoni Home, while the 12-person Homestead has a bathroom decked out in Boffi. Other furniture pieces, crockery, and works of art were made by New Zealand craftspeople. Most rugs were spun from the property’s own sheep wool. On top of the comforts and thoughtful aesthetic, the best part about Annandale is its remoteness. Guests are immersed in a farm experience that puts them in touch with the seasons, whether sheep and cows are lambing and calving in spring, or the surrounding mountains are glistening with winter snow. Accommodations come with ample verandas so guests can take in the scenery and slow down to appreciate the surprises hidden around every corner. The original stables have been converted into a beautiful loft, and a secret stairway in the Homestead travels between one of the bedrooms and the butler’s pantry."

"This chateau is one of only a few five-star accommodations in the Marlborough wine region, which reaches out from the top ofNew Zealand’s South Island like da Vinci fingers extending to the north. The hotel is conveniently situated next to a park in Blenheim, Marlborough’s most populous town, and its proximity tocity and country makes it a popular stay for both business and leisure travelers. From the front, the property looks like a stone-and-wood country estate. But inside, the vibe is sleek and business-ready, dressed in black and white as well as creams and chocolate-brown. Understated yet comfortable, the hotel is focused on the environment—it recycles cooking oil for use in biofuels and even establisheda native plant nursery to care for local birds."

"On the site of a former brick windmill in what is today central Auckland , an old Sheraton tower underwent a $9 million renovation in 2006 to become one of the city’s most luxurious hotels: the Cordis. Across the common spaces and 411 guestrooms, this property is draped in fine silks and velvets, appointed with antiques fit for royalty, and crowned by gilded dome ceilings and chandeliers. It’s a popular meeting place for the corporate elite, featuring a striking ballroom that seats 860 people, banquet style. High-tech conferencing equipment and an in-house audio-visual team create a seamless experience, which has helped the hotel earn Earth Check certification. When work is complete, there are ample options for unwinding, from thehigh tea at the elegant lobby lounge—a more delicate version of the London lobby—and the Chuan Spa, which specializes in traditional Chinese medicine. Also on site is an exclusive Club Lounge, a fitness studio, a swimming pool, and the renowned Eight restaurant, which offers an interactive dining experience with eight specialist kitchens, each dedicated to a different cuisine and led by an expert chef."

"A retreat fringed by swaying tussock grass on the edge of Lake Te Anau, Fiordland Lodge is the luxury choice for travelers visiting Fiordland National Park on the South Island. The lodge was designed to magnify the inspiring local environment; that means 36-foot tree trunks for beams in the main lodge, a floor-to-ceiling fireplace laid with river stones, and glass walls that frame Lake Te Anau and the oft snow-capped peaks of Mount Murchison and Kepler Track. The palette is neutral and understated, always putting the emphasis on the exceptional natural beauty of the area. Themain lodge and two private cabins feel like a world unto themselves—a beautiful, comfortable, and relaxing world that is at the gateway to the Milford and Doubtful sounds and all the other Fiordland National Park wonders."

"Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses This architectural, horticultural, and culinary masterpiece in the eastern New Zealand town of Kaikoura consists of a main lodge as well as five modern wood cabins stilted above the treetops. It’s no surprise that Hapuku’s owners, the Wilson family, have five generations of architecture experience. Not only did they realize their goal of helping guests stay among the birds, they placed the tree houses, each one named after a different local bird species, just right so the folds of the Kaikoura Mountain Range look almost superimposed in the background. On the same property, they also run a deer farm, an olive-oil producing orchard, and an ever-expanding collection of gardens that burst with native plants and trees. The attention to detail seen in the architecture and design extends to every aspect of the guest experience. Windows are double-glazed to block out the sound of deer in mating season; the scratch kitchen cooks everything, including ice cream and peanut butter; and all the shrubbery around the main lodge mimics the natural landscape. The lodge also sets strict environmental standards, including the commitment to plant one native plant or tree for every night a guest stays on the property. A certificate is mailed to guests so they’ll know the name of the species planted and be able to track its growth on Google Earth."

"This funky boutique hotel on the edge of the Britomart shopping district goes way back in Auckland history. Built in 1841 as The Commercial Hotel, the DeBrett building survived two fires and two rebuilds plus a stint as a hostel before becoming the quirky place guests experience today. The Housebar has always been the center of hotel life, and today, the intimate wood-and-mint venue exudes its original art deco style and serves classic cocktails and local beers and wines alongside refined pub snacks. In addition to restoring the bar and adding a glass-roofed atrium that houses the hotel restaurant, DeBretts Kitchen, the current owners affixed contemporary artwork and photography throughout and sheathed the entire building in candy-striped carpeting, custom designed from 100 percent New Zealand wool. Besides the carpet and small-batch minibar selections, no two rooms are the same. Each features unique furnishings from the 1930s on, and every bed has an original screenprinted throw. Two of Hotel DeBretts centerpieces, the chandelier and water sculpture in the restaurant, were crafted by Auckland artists from materials salvaged during the latest renovation. The result is a local experience from top to bottom that gives guests a real taste of New Zealand ."

"The most exclusive lodge in New Zealand , having hosted everyone from Queen Elizabeth II to the late Robin Williams, Huka Lodge feels like a refined country getaway set on the banks of the Waikato River near the North Island resort town of Taupo. Founded in 1924 by a charismatic Irishman named Alan Pye, the property was later reimagined by entrepreneur Alex van Heeren with the help of interiors specialist Virginia Fisher and famed New Zealand landscape designer Suzanne Turley. The surrounding grounds are ranked as a ‘Garden of National Significance’ by the New Zealand Gardens Trust. Whether staying in the lodge suites—which feature French doors that open up to a wooden terrace just steps from the river—or the lofty private cottages, guests will feel like royalty here."

"A farm-style experience about an hour from Christchurch, Okuti Garden caters to travelers who love to create and play. An art box encourages crafting; “tree circles” are great for yoga and meditation; and a small lake features a boat popular among readers and small children. Bohemian accommodations include yurts, a tepee, a caravan, and a cabin. Each is homespun and handmade, decorated with drawings, wind chimes, and dream catchers left by former guests. The property is completely off grid, relying on composting toilets, a solar shower, and a gray-water system that recycles wastewater to irrigate the wetlands. One area of the wetlands grows willow rods, which are woven into arches, domes, and tunnels—turning waste into wonders."

"A well-known publican named Thomas Foley established the Shakespeare Hotel and Brewery a few blocks from the Auckland harbor in 1898. Foley grew up in the building and painstakingly rebuilt the property out of red bricks he imported from Melbourne. In 1986, then-owner Peter Barraclough and then-brewer Barry Newman established one of the first microbreweries in New Zealand at this central Auckland icon. Today, the new the brewery produces hundreds of thousands of liters of ale using traditional wild fermentation techniques. Just like the old days, the pub still offers affordable accommodation upstairs for travelers who want to be in the middle of the action, or those who drink one too many IPAs. Accommodations are small and simple but feature original windows and attic-style skylights. It’s probably the best deal in town, especially when considering the lively bar at the bottom of the Escher-like staircase."

"What was once the home of the Reserve Bank is now the seventh outpost of Accor’s SO/ hotel brand, this one opened in November 2018. At this design-forward property,fashion label WORLD has helped craft contemporary interiors that pop with vivid colors, polished metals (a nod to the building’s past as a gold vault), and bold artwork. The 130 rooms and suites are available in three deign themes—Liquid, Vapour, and Solid—each drawing inspiration from Auckland’s volcanic origins. All have work desks, Web TVs, coffee makers, and views of the city or harbor. The hotel’s imbibing options are both street front and sky high. The ground-level Javalab café and lobby MIXO Bar are perfect for a quick bite, while the 15th-floor Harbour Society restaurant serves refined fare from Michelin-starred French chef Marc De Passorio. If you’re more in the mood for a party, the rooftop Hi So bar is the place to be for cocktails, music, and views out to Rangitoto Island. Additionally, a wellness floor with a gym, a curved swimming pool, and massage rooms awaits after a day spent exploring the city."

"Rising before one of the world’s most famous sailing sites—the host of the Louis Vuitton Regattas, the Volvo Round the World Race, and theAuckland International Boat Show—the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour blends French and South Pacific influences while respecting the maritime heritage of the area. Glass walls maximize views of the marina and its many yachts as well as the reflective pools that create optical illusions in the hotel lobby. The color palette sets cherry and dark woods, jade greens, and slate grays against cream and white backdrops, while artwork—from ceremonial pieces to a Maori tribal sculpture in the atrium—pays homage to indigenous New Zealanders. Some of the treatments at the SO Spa, like the greenstone massage, also reflect local culture, while others use French products in a nod to the hotel brand’s heritage. References to Auckland’s volcanic origins also abound, most notably in the back-lit marble walls of the Lava Dining restaurant, an all-day spot for French- and New Zealand-accented dishes; the casual 21 Viaduct Café and panoramic Sabrage Bar are other dining options. And then there are the rooms: from the Superiors and Junior Suites to the exclusive Opera Suite, all have contemporary décor, signature MyBed mattresses, marble baths with Lanvin products and separate showers and tubs, and walls of windows opening out onto a Juliet balcony with views of either the hotel’s atrium, or the city, harbor, and beyond."

"About an hour north of Auckland , Matakana is an eclectic coastal town that attracts city slickers with its bohemian food, wine, and arts scene. With only four lodge rooms situated on a working vineyard near the entrance to the gorgeous Takatu Peninsula, Takatu Lodge offers a peaceful respite that combines beach and bush with art and wine. Two ocean-facing suites take in panoramas of Hauraki Gulf, while the upstairs suites overlook vineyards, a small ocean inlet, and the omnipresent farmland. All of them feature vaulted wood ceilings, slide-away doors, double-occupancy bathtubs,and private balconies made for enjoying an alfresco breakfast or a glass of wine as the sun goes down.Rooms are also stocked with yoga mats, fresh juice, locally roasted coffee, Bennetts chocolates, house-baked “biscuits” (cookies), and a take-home candle whose scent matches the one in the bathroom."

"Perched just up the hill from the white sands of Oneroa Beach on Waiheke Island, the Boatshed fulfills the wainscoted, shuttered, pitch-roofed holiday images that dwell in the minds of beach lovers the world over. Originally the vacation cottages of designer David Scott, the Boatshed now offers six sun-drenched accommodations that complement the laid-back island vibe—a magnet for a free-spirited set of artists, vintners, chefs, and water lovers. Many furnishings were custom-designed by the Scott family and exude the feeling of a boat cabin, especially when placed among the built-in shelves and cabinetry of the bachs —the local word for an authentic New Zealand beach shack. Accommodations range from old boat sheds to a three-story tower that feels like a lighthouse, and outdoor decks provide many opportunities to enjoy the sea breeze. The boutique hotel was the realization of Daniel Scott’s dream—to share the simple pleasures of the beach life with travelers from around the globe."

"At this luxury property perched over Matauri Bay near the top of the North Island, the colonial-style buildings are dwarfed by the endless wavy greens of a championship, par-72 golf course that ends at the Pacific. The ocean views and holes positioned adjacent to plunging precipices make Kauri Cliffs one of the most famous golf resorts in the world. The hilltop infinity pool is another crowd-pleaser, especially when it reflects the pinks and purples of the sunset. Featuring a beach-meets-country vibe, lodge interiors are outfitted with New Zealand artwork and furnishings imported from Europe and Australia. Outdoors, patches of totara trees dot the 6,000-acre property—one section houses the tranquil spa. Walking paths lead to a waterfall, three secret beaches, and picnic sites that offer sweeping views of Cape Brett and the Cavalli Islands."

"Why we love it: Epic views and high style on the South Island The Highlights: - Design that maximizes the views - A small size that makes for an intimate, exclusive experience - Access to a variety of outdoor adventures The Review: Set in the South Island’s Ahuriri Valley, on 6,000 pristine acres bordered on three sides by conservation parks, is your own slice of natural paradise. Opened in late 2018, The Lindis is a striking, contemporary lodge that blends into the landscape, with a sloping roof that mimics the mountain and river backdrop and, inside, floor-to-ceiling windows framing magnificent views. There are just five rooms to choose from—two master options and three lodge suites, all with private indoor and outdoor lounge spaces, fluffy king beds, and gas fireplaces. (Master suites also have separate living rooms and oversized bathtubs.) Beyond the accommodations, there are endless activities to choose from, from horseback riding, fly fishing, and e-biking to eco- and buggy tours and spectacular stargazing. Fuel up for your adventures with the lodge’s refined, contemporary cuisine, crafted by house chefs using locally sourced ingredients—think South Island crayfish, foraged porcini mushrooms, and Wild Fiordland venison—and paired with fineNew Zealand wines from the well-stocked cellar."

"Offering a slice of Provence or English countryside amid the tropical plants and birds of the Southern Hemisphere, the Peace and Plenty Inn is a relaxing getaway just 15 minutes across Waitemata Harbour from downtown Auckland . The inn’s English host, Judy, transformed a Victorian mansion in Devonport into an inviting bed-and-breakfast, embellished with all the ornate mirrors, flowery porcelain, Queen Anne–style antiques, and organza frills one would expect from a proper English estate. Not as obvious are Peace and Plenty’s sustainability measures, which range from oil-fueled heaters, a rainwater catchment system, and composting to eco-friendly toiletries and local produce. If that’s not enough to put guests’ minds at ease, a soak in a clawfoot tub, a good book by the fire in the library, or a peaceful walk along the Devonport waterfront should do the trick."

"Wharekauhau Lodge Built in the 1840s as a sheep station that still operates today, Wharekauhau—meaning “place of knowledge” in Maori—pays homage to the area’s tradition of feeding the wise and the cultured. Thirteen cottage suites were positioned to take in this dramatic slice of North Island pasture that landslides into Palliser Bay southeast of Wellington. The cottages are unpretentious yet filled with such luxuries as four-poster beds with curtains, private terraces, separate lounge areas, writing desks, gas fireplaces, double baths, and walk-in showers. Each space is homey, cushioned by soft rugs and upholstery and enclosed by rustic wood panels and beams. The Edwardian main lodge, adorned with cream-toned furniture and antiques, invites guests to curl up by the fire, or chat with the chef in the open kitchen that flows into a charming country dining room. Outside, there’s inspiration all around, extending from the sheep herds to the Palliser Bay lighthouse."