The Best Boutique Hotels in Kaikōura, New Zealand
Last Updated: 1st September, 2023
Kaikōura is a stunning coastal town found in New Zealand’s South Island, only a few hours from Christchurch in Canterbury. It is renowned for it’s incredible rugged coastline, snow-capped mountain range, and abundance of incredible marine wildlife! Here, I have put together a list of the 10 best boutique hotels in Kaikōura, which will promise to make your stay here memorable!
After finding your perfect boutique hotel in Kaikōura, you can start planning your perfect itinerary! Check out my post on the best things to do in Kaikoura here, and read about all the exciting experiences and adventures there is to do in Kaikōura!
The 10 Best Boutique Hotels in Kaikōura
- Kaikōura Boutique Hotel
- The Fairways Luxury Accommodation
- Hapuku Lodge and Treehouses
- Waves on the Esplanade
- The Pier Hotel
- The White Morph
- Te Mahuru Retreat
- Glenburn Coastal Retreat
- Fyffe Country Lodge
- Nikau Lodge
1. Kaikōura Boutique Hotel
This gorgeous boutique hotel is located in the heart of Kaikōura, and promises to make your stay a memorable one! The hotel is housed in a charming historical 1800’s building, with 5-star rooms overlooking the incredible Kaikōura waterfront. Kaikōura Boutique Hotel offers a variety of luxurious rooms, with comfortable beds and modern bathrooms. Some of the rooms include a large private balcony with mountain and sea views, where you can sit and enjoy the sunset with a glass of wine in the evenings. Bliss!
As well as stunning accommodation, this boutique hotel had a lovely bar where you can enjoy a cocktail or a glass of local wine, along with a yummy platter or two! The cafe serves a ‘glamorous continental’ breakfast for in-house guests, so you can have a good start to your day of adventures!
Location: 146 Esplanade, Kaikōura
2. The Fairways Luxury Accommodation
This luxury accommodation is the perfect place to stay if you are looking for a relaxing and romantic retreat in Kaikōura. The Fairways offers spacious holiday homes with all the necessities, including a modern and fully-quipped kitchen, a cosy lounge (with a fire for those chilly winter evenings) and a beautiful outdoor dining area with views of the ocean and over the gold course. Choose from a spacious 2-bedroom luxury apartment for the family, or a 1-bedroom with a jetted bath for a romantic getaway!
Location: 1 Kersage Drive, Ocean Ridge, Kaikōura 7371, NZ
3. Hapuku Lodge and Treehouses
This stunning Lodge is located a short 12-minute drive from Kaikōura, however it is just so gorgeous that I had to include it in this list! Hapuku Lodge offers a completely unique and luxurious stay for your time in Kaikōura. It is nestled in the peaceful countryside on a working deer farm, offering guests a tranquil stay with stunning views of the snow-capped mountains and coastline.
Luxurious Lodge Suites and Rooms
Hapuku Lodge offers a variety of modern and elegant rooms and suites, so there is somewhere perfect for your stay. Each of the Lodge rooms offers offers comfortable king beds, private balconies overlooking the deer paddocks, and large soaking tubs for the ultimate ‘relax and unwind’ experience! The two Lodge Suites also include a well-appointed lounge with comfortable couches and a fireplace made from local river stone, perfect for those cold winter evenings.
Each room offers free WIFI, a flatscreen TV, as well as luxurious complimentary toiletries. Guests also have access to the onsite pool and sauna, or can book in for a relaxing massage.
Unique Tree House Accommodation
The Lodge’s 5 Tree Houses offer a unique and memorable experience, and are guaranteed to be the highlight of your stay in Kaikōura! These incredible buildings are nestled in the canopy of the surrounding native Kanuka Grove, over 10 meters off the ground. They are warm and inviting, with deep soaking tubs, cosy fireplaces, and gorgeous custom made furniture – perfect for a romantic weekend away! Each treehouse has a private balcony and large windows, so you can relax and take in the incredible views of the surrounding tree canopy and dramatic mountains.
As well as this, the Hapuku Lodge offers complimentary 3-course gourmet dinners and full breakfasts, making this stay one you’ll never forget!
Location: State Highway 1 at Station Road, RD 1, Kaikōura
4. Waves on the Esplanade
Waves on the Esplanade offers luxurious and comfortable apartments right in the heart of Kaikōura, within walking distance of restaurants and attractions! Each spacious apartment has a balcony overlooking the beautiful coastline, a full-equipped kitchen and modern en-suite bathroom. The apartments are clean and well-presented, allowing you to relax and enjoy your stay in Kaikōura!
Location: 78 Esplanade, Kaikōura, 7300
5. The Pier Hotel
This beautiful hotel offers charming and characterful rooms along the waterfront, a short distance from the cafes and restaurants of Kaikōura. Choose from a deluxe king room for a romantic weekend away, to a spacious triple room or twin room for families. Each room has access to the sunny wrap-around balcony, where you can sit and admire the ocean view! The Pier Hotel also offers a full continental breakfast for guests, as well as tea and coffee making facilities in the breakfast room.
Location: 1 Avoca Street, Kaikōura
6. The White Morph
Set right on the esplanade overlooking the stunning Kaikōura coastline, The White Morph Heritage Hotel offers a range of accommodation options to make your stay in Kaikōura your home-away-from-home. Each room is spacious and modern, with unlimited internet, a smart TV, and a private balcony with gorgeous views over the ocean and surrounding mountains. There is a small kitchenette, including coffee making facilities and a fridge, and some rooms include a relaxing spa bath – perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring Kaikōura!
The White Morph is ideally located, only a few minutes walk from the full range of shops, cafes and activities Kaikōura has to offer!
Location: 92/94 Esplanade, Kaikōura 7300
7. Te Mahuru Retreat
Te Mahuru Retreat is one of my favourite places to stay in Kaikōura, and was absolutely perfect for our romantic weekend away! It is a beautiful and peaceful B&B only 6 minutes from the town centre, but feels like a world away. The B&B is set amongst beautiful gardens, with incredible mountain views.
What I loved most about this B&B was the level of detail the lovely hosts went to to make it welcoming, with a hand-written board welcoming us into our room. The rooms were spacious and comfortable, with coffee-making facilities and a modern bathroom, as well as a lovely patio area where you can sit outside with a glass of wine and enjoy the evening. There is even a secluded hot-tub for guests, with stunning views over the snowy mountains!
Location: 233 Schoolhouse Road, Kaikoura
8. Glenburn Coastal Retreat
This luxurious and secluded retreat offers everything needed to make your stay in Kaikōura relaxing and memorable. Glenburn Coastal Retreat offers self-contained cottages nestled on their farm, with uninterrupted views of the ocean and mountains. Each cottage offers comfort and privacy, with a full-functional kitchen, luxurious beds, a modern bathroom, and a private deck where you can sit and soak up the scenery.
Each cottage has been designed with relaxation and comfort in mind, with a spacious couch by a gas fire for those chilly evenings, and a deep-seated full bath with stunning countryside views! There are 3 cottages available, perfect for a romantic getaway or weekend retreat away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Location: 413 Old Beach Road, Hapuku, Kaikōura
9. Fyffe Country Lodge
The Fyffe Country Lodge is situated in a gorgeous building that is sure to catch your eye along your drive from Christchurch to Kaikōura! Located just a few minutes south of Kaikōura township, this Lodge is nestled in immaculate gardens, only 300 meters from the beach. The rooms are filled with stylish and charming decor, making for a comfortable stay. Each room has incredible mountain or garden views, and contains a modern en-suite bathroom and cosy living area.
To add to your experience, the Fyffe Hotel includes a seasonal restaurant (open October – April), which serves incredible local seafood! During the winter months, guests can enjoy their meals by the fireplace in the dining room.
Location: 458 State Highway One Road, Kaikōura
10. Nikau Lodge
Just a few minutes walk from the beach, Nikau Lodge is your home-away-from-home while in Kaikōura! This gorgeous Bed and Breakfast offers comfortable and spacious rooms with stunning views over the ocean and mountains, modern bathrooms with bathrobes, and coffee making facilities.
The lovely hosts have done all they can to make this accommodation welcoming and friendly, with an outdoor hot-tub, a secluded garden, and a range of fantastic breakfast options using locally sourced produce!
Location: 53 Deal Street, Kaikōura
Thank you for reading my post on the best boutique hotels in Kaikōura! I hope this helps you find the perfect accommodation for your stay 🙂
If you are looking for more incredible accommodation in the South Island, why don’t you check out my post on the best Boutique hotels in Picton! Located only a few hours drive north of Kaikōura, Picton is a gorgeous marine town in the Queen Charlotte Sounds.
