Fun, quirky, or simply out of the ordinary, lately Jeff and I have been seeking out the more unusual places to stay in New Zealand.
We have lived here for over 20 years, and generally spend a few months each year road-tripping around the country. These range from close-to-home excursions of a few nights to a month or longer.
We have been discovering a range of new and distinctive places to stay. Whether it’s an upscale resort with stunning ocean views or a quaint cabin with a roaring fireplace and a private outdoor bathtub, these offbeat accommodations are often a highlight of our road trips.
Either way, we still love classic comforts. Therefore, our criteria to get on this list include:
- A standout, unique, or unusual feature
- Spacious with a comfortable bed and a private bathroom
- Immaculately clean
- Be rated either four or five stars
- High-end affordable pricing. For us, it usually ranges between $200-$300NZD per night, although on special occasions, we have spent a bit more.
In this guide, we’ll share our top unusual places to stay in New Zealand. Next, we identify options we have heard about but haven’t been to yet. If you are looking for classic four and five-star NZ accommodations (rather than unique options), start here: Where to Stay in New Zealand: Our Favourite Upscale Hotels in NZ
Map of our favourite unique places to stay in NZ
The map features favourite unique accommodations in New Zealand in red. We added those that have been recommended to us, but we haven’t yet tried in yellow.
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Unusual places to stay in North Island New Zealand
We live on the North Island and frequently take the opportunity to go on mini-getaways. While we used to stay in pure luxury of classic five-star accommodation, lately we have been seeking out more unique and unusual places to stay in New Zealand.
While we travel quite a bit around the country, especially now that our daughter lives in Wellington, we often stay close to home, which is why many of these options are within a few hours of Auckland, or even in the city itself.
Ponsonby Arthotel – Ponsonby (Auckland region)
We often visit the Ponsonby neighbourhood, as many of my favourite restaurants are located here. The side roads are filled with charming villas, heritage-listed homes, and a quaint old-world charm. Recently, we discovered the Ponsonby Arthotel, and now we can stay in the most delightful 1890s heritage villa, filled with Pacific and traditional artworks.
Attention was paid to every detail, from our delightful room to the shared lounge and the tasty breakfast. While it blends seamlessly into the neighbourhood, it is one of the unusual places to stay in New Zealand. I can’t wait to go back and stay here again.
Parehua Resort – Martinborough (Wairarapa region)
A luxury accommodation surrounded by vineyards in a countryside atmosphere, Parehua Resort is the perfect place to unwind for a few days.
We were upgraded to a lovely lakeside cabin, which had everything we needed to feel right at home. We embraced the laid-back vibe, swimming in the pool, soaking in the wine barrel-shaped spa, and even playing a round of pétanque.
We never made it to the tennis court, but there was no shortage of ways to slow down and take in the surroundings.
Castaways Resort – Waiuku (Auckland region)
Castaways Resort turned out to be the perfect place to wake up on my last birthday. It offers the perfect mix of luxury and tranquillity. Our day began with a quiet morning coffee on our modern, yet cosy chalet’s balcony overlooking stunning views of Karioitahi Beach on the Āwhitu Peninsula.
Next, a trail hike, followed by a couple’s spa afternoon. We capped it off with a fresh local dinner (seafood for me) at their on-site restaurant, then returned to our chalet’s balcony to enjoy a stunning sunset as the sky exploded in brilliant colours.
The second morning, we enjoyed a long stroll along Karioitahi beach—virtually untouched, with only the sound of crashing waves. The peace and quiet of Castaways Resort make it one of the most unique places to stay in New Zealand.
Rua Resort – Hamilton (Waikato)
Before we discovered Rua Resort, I never really thought of Hamilton as a getaway location.
This impressive estate is a refreshing blend of tasteful, elegant decor and the relaxed comfort of home. That is, if your home has incredibly comfortable beds and a breakfast chef. The friendly hosts allowed us to feed some of their rescued animals in their paddocks, which range from sheep to alpacas.
Each room has its own unique charm. Read the room descriptions, as some rooms share a bathroom. We chose the Harmony suite and found it to be a luxurious retreat, complete with two balconies, a super-king bed, a spacious bathroom, and a hidden Harry Potter-themed room.
QT Auckland – Viaduct Harbour (Auckland region)
QT Auckland is one of my current favourite places to stay in Auckland. It’s a quirky balance between fun and functionality. We have tried a few different rooms, but the Executive King room tops my list, with the right amount of space, an incredibly comfortable bed, and interesting lighting.
With a partial view of the Viaduct Harbour, we walked everywhere from the hotel’s prime location. Our package included a delicious breakfast at Esther. And we bookmark our day, ending at the rooftop bar, with stunning views, cozy heat lamps, and no minimum spend.
Hotel DeBrett – Auckland CBD (Auckland region)
Hotel DeBrett is a charming boutique hotel in the heart of Auckland’s CBD, offering affordable luxury wrapped in art deco decor. As a result, it’s one of my favourite unique places to stay in New Zealand.
We have stayed in a variety of rooms. Still, the most unique was an amazing loft suite with a lounge area featuring a spiral staircase that leads to a surprisingly large bedroom with an incredibly comfortable bed. With a toilet on each level, our loft is livable. Note: the car park must be reserved and is a couple of blocks away.
Kaituna Riverside Cottages – Masterton (Wairarapa region)
Our stay at Kaituna Riverside Cottages was a serene experience, surrounded by beautiful gardens, the tranquil Kaituna River, and even a small waterfall. This off-the-beaten-path gem is a perfect glamping escape, with rustic cottages that immediately made us feel at home.
The cabin itself is a small hideaway, and the surrounding natural environment makes it truly special. It’s much more than just a place to sleep; it’s an experience. Off the grid, yet solar-powered, this was quite unique and very different from a luxury hotel, yet we had everything we needed for a romantic weekend.
Our thoughtful hosts provided a brazier for a nighttime bonfire and even left a bag of marshmallows.
Hush Boutique – Coromandel Town (Coromandel Region)
Chic yet simple cabins are beautifully designed with large windows that let the outside in, giving us the feeling of being totally immersed in a lush native bush setting. We woke to the birdsong of tuis and bellbirds, followed by a leisurely breakfast on our private deck surrounded by ferns and nikau palms.
It’s all just a short drive to the charming town of Coromandel, Driving Creek Railway, and the pristine beaches of the region. Hush Boutique is a standout among cabins in New Zealand and one we’d gladly return to.
Barberry Hill – Stratford (Taranaki Region)
How is this for one of the unusual places to stay in New Zealand – Barberry Hill offers a luxury unit in a converted space above a barn on a working dairy farm. Our spacious unit featured a full kitchen, a comfortable bed, ample living space, a living room, and a fully stoked wood-burning stove.
We didn’t take advantage of all our options here, but we did enjoy the fresh milk and eggs.
Tairoa Lodge, Hawera (Taranaki Region)
This was a little secluded bit of paradise just outside of the Hawera town centre. We stayed in a charming cottage with a garden view. It was decorated for comfort and had everything we needed, even a hot tub in the yard.
Tairoa Lodge’s garden itself was lovely and filled with little surprises, making the walk more fun than it was exercise.
Our breakfast was ready for us in the refrigerator of our self-contained cabin. It’s the kind of place where we would have been happy just spending a day on the porch drinking coffee.
Rutland Arms Inn – Whanganui (Manawatū-Whanganui Region)
In the heart of Whanganui, the Rutland Arms Inn is a fun place to stay if you travel alone or as a couple. It combines the charm of classic hotels with the lively atmosphere of the town’s most popular pub. Learn from our mistake, we couldn’t dine there without a prior booking.
Our room radiated charm with its high ceilings, vintage furniture, and tall windows, while modern amenities like a TV and refrigerator were discreetly placed yet accessible.
Tasman Holiday Parks – Papamoa Beach (Bay of Plenty Region)
I know what you’re thinking: how did a holiday park get on this list? It’s because we stayed in a 5-star beachfront one-bedroom villa. The only thing lacking here was a luxury bathroom, but ours was private and good enough.
It was the beach. The sunrise. The stunning views from most of our unit. And the benefit of having the option to use some of the resort-type features that really attracted us. We used it as our base for exploring Tauranga and Mt Maunganui.
More unusual places to stay in New Zealand – North Island
These are additional unique places to stay in NZ that have been recommended to us, but are still on our bucket list
- Porirua – Escarpment Domes (Greater Wellington region)
Located just outside Wellington, we almost stayed here on our last road trip, but plans changed. These tent domes look first-class with modern conveniences inside. While we haven’t been, we have seen similar domes in Chile. We can’t wait to give them a try. Reserve your stay at Escarpment Domes. - Tirau – Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel (Waikato region)
A friend highly recommended this heritage-listed hotel. Initially built in 1889, she loves the on-premises natural hot springs, while her husband enjoys the 9-hole golf course. Check the mixed reviews before reserving your stay at Okoroire Hot Springs. - Raglan – Solscape Eco Retreat (Waikato region)
We stumbled upon this eco-retreat whilst hiking in Raglan. While it’s not our cup of tea, it sure looks like the type of place that should be on a list of unusual places to stay in New Zealand! Check the mixed reviews before booking at Solscape Eco Retreat.
Unique accommodation in the South Island NZ
–more coming soon —
We haven’t been branching out to the “unique” as much in the South Island, generally staying at the more classic 4 and 5-star luxury hotels found here. However, we have a quick list (to be expanded soon)
- Hanmer Springs: Oakview accommodation (Canterbury Region)
Located among the alpine trees of Hanmer, this two-unit option is first-class all the way. Our large, modern unit had everything we needed, including an impressive bathroom complete with dual shower heads. Reserve your stay at Oakview accommodation here. - Hokitika: Shining Star Beachfront Accommodation (West Coast Region)
We stayed in one of the rustic chalets and loved the easy access to Hokitika Beach, as well as the nearby path to see the Hokitika glow worms. But what I will never forget was the vivid sunsets over the ocean every night. Reserve your stay at Shining Star Beachfront Accommodation here. - Dunedin: Larnach Lodge and Stable (Otago Region)
We have never done it, but people seem to really enjoy staying on the grounds and dining at Larnach Castle, surrounded by the regal gardens. Reserve your stay at Larnach Lodge and Stable here - Banks Peninsula: SiloStay (Canterbury Region)
As we drove by this place on our way to Akaroa, we had to stop and take a photo. Another one I am not sure is for me; these silos clearly belong on a list of unusual places to stay in New Zealand. People seem to love them. Reserve your SiloStay here.
Do you offer any unusual places to stay in New Zealand that we may have missed?
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