Escape to the forest, coast, or mountains; these unique stays offer the perfect way to explore the South Island’s most extraordinary spots. From sleeping on the edge of snowy peaks and glaciers to waking beside bright blue lakes, these unique stays offer front-row seats to some of New Zealand’s most breathtaking scenery.
Immerse yourself in spectacular natural surroundings and even stay right in the heart of a New Zealand National Park with unbeatable views. Whether you’re tucked away in a cosy cabin, glamping under the stars, or relaxing in a remote retreat, these are places that turn a getaway into an experience.
It’s not just about where you sleep, it’s about how it feels to truly unwind. Venture somewhere you may not otherwise visit and make your escape one to remember.
1. Sophie’s
Just over an hour’s drive from Christchurch, nestled under a canopy of native bush ferns, is Sophie’s – Manawa o Waikirikiri. Translating to Heart of the Selwyn, this Canterbury gem is a hidden retreat like no other. River swims, outdoor hot tub soaks, and falling asleep to the forest framed by a skylight are just a few of the memory-making moments this unique stay offers. The geometric panels of this eco-friendly retreat form a striking yet seamless ‘zome’ structure in the bush, with a circular wooden door leading you into a warm, inviting space. Inside, you’ll find forest views through every window, a lush queen bed, and soft furnishings that help you sink into holiday mode. Mornings begin with a cuppa in the outdoor kitchen as birdsong and early-morning light filter through the trees, while evenings are for soaking in the wood-lined hot tub or sitting fireside under the stars. A truly special escape amidst the forest in Darfield, Canterbury.
2. High Country Cabin
Park yourself in the spectacular surroundings of Ben Ohau at High Country Cabin, a secluded retreat in the heart of the Southern Alps near Aoraki Mount Cook. Nestled amongst the golden tussocks and rocky outcrops of Mackenzie Country, this cabin feels worlds away, yet it’s close enough for day trips to New Zealand’s tallest peak. Year-round adventures here are endless and show-off this incredible part of the country. Hike rugged tracks, ski the nearby fields, cycle the Alps to Ocean Trail, or try your hand at fishing and hunting. Come nightfall, you’re reminded of how special this place is. Located in a Dark Sky Reserve, the stargazing here is nothing short of breathtaking. Warm up by the roaring log burner and soak in uninterrupted views of the mountains by day and constellations by night. It’s a truly South Island experience; raw, peaceful, and unforgettable.
3. Franz Josef Glacier Overnight
Franz Josef Glacier, West Coast
This is your once-in-a-lifetime chance to sleep on the mighty Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere / Franz Josef Glacier. The only experience of its kind in New Zealand, this luxury alpine adventure blends remote wilderness with elevated comfort, from scenic helicopter flights to glacial exploration and gourmet dining. Your journey begins with a flight over the rugged West Coast and snow-capped Southern Alps before landing on the glacier itself. With your expert guide, you’ll spend the afternoon navigating deep crevasses, towering blue ice walls, and surreal frozen landscapes, learning the stories that bring this unique environment to life.
As evening falls, your alpine camp is set up in a remote spot atop the glacier. Settle in with nibbles and drinks, stargaze under crystal-clear skies, and enjoy a hearty dinner prepared by your guide on the ice before retiring to your bespoke alpine tent.
Wake to fresh coffee and pastries then fly back to luxury, checking into Te Waonui Forest Retreat for breakfast and a night of indulgence, complete with a five-course degustation dinner. With one guide per two guests, this tailored experience imparts an otherworldly sense of discovery in one of the world’s most awe-inspiring places.
4. Karu ō te Kiwi
Tucked into the treetops above Farewell Spit in Golden Bay, Karu ō te Kiwi is an eco-luxe retreat that blends raw wilderness with indulgence. Just one look at the sweeping views over Farewell Spit, and you’ll understand why this boutique stay feels like the perfect, tranquil Kiwi escape. Large opening doors erase the boundary between inside and out, making the space feel open, airy, and effortlessly welcoming. With three bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and a generous outdoor deck, it’s built for long lunches, starlit dinners, and slow summer mornings.
The retreat’s elevated setting offers uninterrupted panoramas of one of New Zealand’s most iconic coastal landmarks. Spend your days exploring Wharariki Beach and its wild wind-carved rock formations, then return to soak in the serenity. With all the comfort and none of the compromise, Karu ō te Kiwi is a stay that leaves you rested and reconnected with nature.
5. Stay of Queenstown
A private oasis in the heart of Queenstown, Stay of Queenstown offers a peaceful escape just 10 minutes’ walk from the town’s buzzing centre. From the moment you step inside, you’ll feel the warm welcome of a place that’s designed to feel like home, with a touch of luxury, of course. Each morning starts with delicious breakfast provisions and some of the best lake and mountain views Queenstown has to offer. Relax on your own private balcony or beautiful courtyard, soak up the sunshine, and let the on-site local team take care of the little details that make your stay extra special.
Unassuming from the street, the boutique rooms open up to impeccable views, well-appointed interiors, and thoughtful touches that help you relax completely. Serviced daily and surrounded by greenery, this is a haven for those who want serenity and scenery without missing a beat of what Queenstown has to offer.
6. 2 Orchard Stay
Discover the meaning of peace at 2 Orchard Stay, a beautifully rustic retreat just 40 minutes from Christchurch. Set on a working fruit orchard, this escape offers heavenly outdoor spaces designed for unwinding. Think sprawling lawns, alfresco dining, and a BBQ ready for golden-hour feasts. When the day winds down, retreat to the outdoor bath and soak under open skies, serenaded by birdsong and the soft hum of bees. It’s the kind of place that grounds you in the present – simple, soulful, and deeply relaxing. Orchard charm and serenity at its finest.
7. Cross Hill
Set right on the shores of Lake Hāwea, just 15 minutes from Wānaka, Cross Hill Domes offer a truly special place to stay and play. With mountain and lake views, summer holiday vibes, and direct access to one of the South Island’s most tranquil lakes, this is luxury glamping at its finest. Tucked away in a quiet corner of The Camp – Lake Hāwea Holiday Park, these architectural geo-domes have their own private entrance and elevated outlook. Each dome is around 40m², with timber interiors, cosy furnishings, and huge windows that frame the natural world outside. Stargazing from bed is part of the magic here, with dark sky conditions making nightfall an experience in itself.
You can stay put at Cross Hill and still have a full escape. Book a massage, soak in the lakeside wood-fired hot tub, or treat yourself to the seasonal chef-curated Cross Hill dining experience. Whether you’re out on the lake, exploring Wānaka, or just unwinding on your deck, Cross Hill is all about peaceful luxury in a spectacular lakeside setting.
8. Gentle Annie
Tucked between the Tasman Sea and lush nikau palms, Gentle Annie is a peaceful coastal retreat 50 km north of Westport, on the edge of Kahurangi National Park. This is the West Coast at its finest; wild, remote, and filled with character. Whether you’re road-tripping the coast, cycling the Old Ghost Road, or exploring nearby wonders like the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, this spot offers a true taste of West Coast charm. Accommodation ranges from cosy beach cabins and bush-clad cottages to larger lodges sleeping up to 27. The Gentle Annie Camping Ground has sheltered powered and unpowered sites, just a short walk from the river and beach. Couples will love the native bush setting of the Cabbage Tree Cottage or the simplicity of the Beach Cabin, while families and groups can stretch out in the roomy Rimu House, complete with an outdoor deck and wood burner. Wood-fired cedar hot tubs let you soak in the scenery, and the on-site coffee shop adds a warm welcome each morning. With rivers, forest, and sea all at your doorstep, this is a haven for nature lovers and an ideal base for unwinding off the beaten track.
9. Kowhai Cottages
On the edge of Twizel, in a peaceful pocket of native plants and pine trees, Kowhai Cottages offer a soul-soothing escape into the heart of the Mackenzie Country. Dreamed up and handcrafted by a local family, these cottages feature unique craftsmanship and thoughtful design, and are built using natural, sustainable materials that celebrate the beauty of modern comfort blended with rustic charm. Whether you’re curled up on the window seat with a book, enjoying breakfast on the outdoor deck, or lounging on the well-appointed furnishings soaking up the quiet, this is a place made for slowing down. Surrounded by birdsong and wide skies, it’s a retreat that invites stillness and connection to the land.
Set within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, stargazing is a nightly ritual, whether through the skylight above the master bed or from the outdoor hot tub nestled among native plantings. From design to setting, Kowhai Cottages offer a timeless kind of luxury that’s warm, grounding, and deeply memorable.
10. Domu Retreat
At Domu Retreat, time slows and wellness takes centre stage. Located near Kaiteriteri Beach with views over Tasman Bay and the Kahurangi Ranges beyond, this boutique adults escape invites you into a rhythm of rest, nature, and genuine connection. Each stay begins with welcome drinks and a gentle orientation into your serene new surroundings. Mornings might include yoga or a nourishing breakfast in the light-filled dining room. Days unfold at your own pace, whether spent in the pool overlooking the mountains and ocean, taking a plunge in the ice bath, relaxing in the sauna, or booking a blissful massage.
Domu is more than just a stay; it’s a full sensory retreat. From the genuine hospitality to four-course dinners served with seasonal ingredients and great conversation, where all guests are invited to gather at one table for dinner, everything is designed to restore. Whether you’re exploring the wonders of Abel Tasman National Park or simply embracing slow living by the sea, Domu Retreat is a true sanctuary.
11. Waitai Lodge Fiordland Escape
Martins Bay, Fiordland National Park
Accessible only by helicopter or foot, Waitai Lodge offers remote luxury in the heart of Fiordland’s UNESCO World Heritage wilderness. Located in secluded Martins Bay, this two-day, fully inclusive experience is both adventurous and indulgent, from scenic heli transfers and rainforest walks to jet-boat rides, champagne cruises on Piopiotahi / Milford Sound, and gourmet meals.
After a day of exploring, relax fireside or soak in wood-fired hot tubs beneath the stars, surrounded by native forest. With just eight ensuite rooms and a warm, attentive team, your stay is tailored to your pace, whether that’s deep adventure or total stillness. This is a New Zealand lodge experience at its wildest and most exclusive.
12. Wilsons Abel Tasman Escape
Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson Tasman
Discover the magic of Abel Tasman National Park with the only beachfront lodge experience inside the park itself. Wilsons Abel Tasman offers all-inclusive 3- or 5-day escapes that blend coastal adventure with warm hospitality, combining boat transfers, guided or self-guided walking, sea kayaking, and gourmet meals.
Stay at both Meadowbank Homestead at Awaroa and Torrent Bay Lodge, each rich in family history. Meadowbank is a modern replica of the original family homestead from 1884, rebuilt on the same site more than a century later. Torrent Bay Lodge, once the Wilson’s family holiday home in the 1960s, has been transformed into a welcoming beachfront retreat. With just 13 rooms at each lodge, this is an intimate way to experience the park. Ensuite rooms, delicious meals, luggage transfers, weather support, and friendly guides make it easy to fully escape, revive, and reconnect in this spectacular part of New Zealand.
13. The Temple Cabins
Surrounded by soaring peaks and alpine wilderness, The Temple Cabins are a true high country escape. Set near the start of the Temple and Hopkins Valley tracks, this off-the-beaten-track retreat is a dream base for keen hikers and backcountry explorers. In winter, the proximity to Ōhau Ski Field adds a snow-dusted magic, while horseback treks from the working high country station the cabin is set on offer a peaceful way to experience the untouched landscape. Inside, the cabin is simple, warm and cosy, with a wood-burner for added warmth on chilly nights, just what you need after a day immersed in nature.
Looking for more unique stays across New Zealand? Check out our list of 11 of the Best Unique Stays in the North Island here.
This article was created in paid partnership with Cross Hill, 2 Orchard Stay, Gentle Annie, High Country Cabin, Domu Retreat, Karu ō te Kiwi, Ngāi Tahu Tourism, Canopy Camping Escapes, The Temple Cabins, Kowhai Cottages, Wilsons Abel Tasman & Stay of Queenstown.
Cover Image: Wilsons Abel Tasman Escape
