The best hotels in New Zealand: nine places to stay in Queenstown, Auckland and Wellington

Views over Lake Wakatipu

The Rees sits on the lakeshore a couple of kilometres from the centre, with rooms and apartments that all look out over Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables. Its restaurant, True South, has a large cellar of local wines.

This is our pick for views, and a good choice for families who want an apartment with a kitchen. It is a short drive or boat ride into town. Walk the lakeside path into the centre on a clear morning.

Just above the centre

St Moritz sits on the hillside just above central Queenstown, with lake and mountain views from many rooms. The style is alpine, with a fire in the lounge and a small spa.

It suits you if you want to walk to the restaurants and nightlife. The hill up from the centre is steep. Take the gondola up Bob's Peak for the view over town, and ride the luge down if you have children with you.

Golf and spa near Arrowtown

Millbrook is next to the old gold-mining town of Arrowtown, about twenty minutes from Queenstown. The resort has a large golf course, a spa and rooms and villas spread across parkland beneath the mountains.

This is our pick for golf and spa, and for families who want space. You will need a car or taxis. Walk into Arrowtown in the evening, where the old timber buildings house restaurants and bars.

A villa among the vines

Gibbston Valley Lodge sits in the middle of the Gibbston wine valley, about twenty minutes from Queenstown, with villas among the vines and a spa. The neighbouring Gibbston Valley winery is known for pinot noir and has a wine cave cut into the hillside.

This is our wine pick, for couples who want peace and good food. There is little to do outside the lodge in the evening, so dine in. Hire a bike and cycle between wineries on the trail along the Kawarau River, past the bridge where commercial bungy jumping began.

On the harbour in Wynyard Quarter

Park Hyatt sits in Wynyard Quarter on the harbour, with large rooms and balconies facing the boats and the Harbour Bridge. It has an indoor pool and a spa.

This is our Auckland pick, for the waterfront location and calm style. The ferries to the Hauraki Gulf islands are a short walk away. Take the ferry to Waiheke Island one day, where the wineries look out over the sea.

New on the waterfront

InterContinental Auckland is one of the city's newest luxury hotels, in a tower on the downtown waterfront. Rooms look over the harbour, and the ferry terminal is right outside.

It suits you if you want a modern hotel right in the centre, perhaps for the first or last night of the trip. The style is more business-like than the others. The restaurants and shops of Commercial Bay are next door.

Sustainable design

The Hotel Britomart is in the Britomart precinct, with rooms finished in timber and brick and a focus on sustainability. It has a restaurant serving local produce and a few suites with roof terraces.

This is our design pick, if you want a small hotel with character. Street-facing rooms can be noisy at weekends. Britomart has some of the best restaurants and bars in the city.

Art deco on High Street

DeBrett occupies a 1920s art deco building on High Street, with colourful rooms and a popular bar. It is a small hotel with a personal style.

It suits you if you want a boutique hotel in the centre for less. Rooms vary in size, so check before you book. Head to Ponsonby and Karangahape Road for cafes and vintage shops.

Quiet by Parliament

Sofitel is in Thorndon, close to Parliament, with elegant French-style rooms and a good restaurant. It is a quiet hotel with good service, and many guests are in the capital on business.

This is our Wellington pick, if you want a calm stay close to the centre. It is a ten to fifteen-minute walk to the waterfront and Te Papa. Take the cable car up to the Botanic Garden.