12 Most Romantic Accommodations in Kaikoura ❤️ [2024]

Where to Find Romantic Stays and Honeymoon Accommodations in Kaikoura

If your honeymoon travelling around New Zealand has brought you to Kaikoura, then you’re in for a treat. Not only do you have amazing wildlife encounters awaiting you, but the accommodations are an experience in themselves. Romantic boutique bed and breakfasts, luxury lodges and even renovated railway carriages make up the romantic accommodation scene in Kaikoura. We lay out some of our favourite options on this list of the most romantic accommodations in Kaikoura!

While you’re here, get inspired for your Kaikoura visit with the 20 Incredible Things to Do in Kaikoura, as well as the 10 Romantic Activities in Kaikoura.

1. Te Mahuru Retreat

If you can get a booking at this hugely popular (and utterly romantic) B&B, then don’t hesitate. Te Mahuru Retreat offers four single suites and a separate cottage on its stunning property soaking in the stellar scenery of the Kaikoura Mountains. Enjoy a complimentary breakfast including homemade bread, relax in the lounge with books, games and hot drinks, make use of the full kitchen and barbecue and indulge in some time soaking in the spa pool, borrowing some bikes or lazying in one of the hammocks or egg-chairs.

Check Te Mahuru Retreat out:

10 Most Romantic Accommodations in Kaikoura

2. Glenburn Coastal Retreat

Couples seeking a luxurious home-away-from-home, choose one of the stunning cottages of Glenburn Coastal Retreat. Soak in the best of the Kaikoura scenery, with coastal views on one side and mountain views on the other, all absorbed by your floor-to-ceiling windows leading out to two private decks. Everything is here for an independent stay, from a very functional kitchen to a large ensuite with twin basins and a deep freestanding bathtub facing the mountains. Note that this accommodation is located a short drive from Kaikoura in Hapuku.

Check Glenburn Coastal Retreat out:

8 Best Romantic Accommodation in Kaikoura

3. Kaikoura Boutique Hotel

A stylish hotel with a range of colourful rooms and a popular champagne bar, Kaikoura Boutique Hotel is a popular choice for couples. The bar is also where your continental breakfast is served each morning, as well as drinks in the evening. As for the rooms, they are a fine choice of king and twin set-ups with or without a waterfront view. Choose either the entry-level “Courtyard Room” or upgrade to gorgeous views and your own balcony with one of the “Waterfront Rooms”. Either way, your room is tastefully-appointed with popping colours and kitted out with an ensuite and the usual hotel amenities. For more hotel-style stays, be sure to browse the 20 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Kaikoura.

Check the Kaikoura Boutique Hotel out:

4. The White Morph – Heritage Collection

Located on the Esplanade of Kaikoura, The White Morph offers unbeatable views from mountains to the sea. The self-contained accommodation is a 10-minute walk from town, yet feels a world away when you’re indulging in your “Premium Spa Studio’s” spa bath or listening to the waves gently lapping onto the shores from your king-sized bed. Rooms also have a kitchenette to make simple meals. For alternative self-catering options, be sure to have a look at the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Kaikoura.

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5. Hapuku Carriages

For something a little quirky and undoubtedly memorable, check out Hapuku Carriages. That’s right, as the name suggests, this accommodation is a B&B in a restored railway carriage. Experience this unique accommodation together with a warm log fire to enjoy your full-cooked breakfast in front of with real cafe-style coffee. The main event, however, is the outdoor bath in your own private courtyard! Hapuku Carriages is located in Hapuku, 10 minutes drive north of Kaikoura. See more memorable stays around the South Island in the 10 Unique Accommodations in the South Island.

Check Hapuku Carriages out:

6. Manakau Lodge

Definitely one for a special occasion like a honeymoon or anniversary, Manakau Lodge provides the full luxury experience. The boutique lodge at the foot of the Kaikoura Mountain Ranges features elegantly-appointed guest rooms with pillow-top beds, fine cotton linens and New Zealand rimu-made furnishings. Rooms are kitted out with contemporary features like 4K smart TVs with an extensive movie and music collection, USB power points, an in-room iPad and full air-conditioning. The included breakfast of freshly-prepared favourites is sure to make you want to stick around for dinner to experience Manakau Lodge’s famous cheese platters! See more recommendations like this in the 14 Best Luxury Accommodations in Kaikoura.

Check Manakau Lodge out:

12 Most Romantic Accommodations in Kaikoura ❤️ [2023]

7. Brook House B&B & Cottages

Something more affordable but no less experiential, Brook House B&B & Cottages provides the “local experience”. The homely B&B offers well-appointed rooms with ensuites and a communal lounge, dining area and kitchen. The rate includes a breakfast of fresh fruit, yoghurt, cereals, bread and jams, as well as “Judy’s Fabulous Chocolate Muffins”. Find the accommodation just a short drive from the town centre near the New World supermarket. See more like this in our 15 Best Budget Accommodations in Kaikoura.

Check Brook House B&B & Cottages out:

8. The Hamptons

Sitting just across the road from the majestic Kaikoura coastline, The Hampton‘s location is just the beginning of what this luxury bed and breakfast has to offer. The boutique B&B accommodation has a small selection of double rooms opening out onto a private seaside deck or garden. The rooms are kitted out with quality amenities from the ensuite to the kitchenette. Plus, the smart TV and free WiFi are welcome additions. Breakfast is served in your room where you’ll have a morning feast of locally-sourced ingredients.

Check The Hamptons out:

9. Inn the Bay Bed & Breakfast

Stay in a beautifully renovated home at the Inn the Bay Bed & Breakfast. Fall asleep to the sound of the waves against the coastline in one of the two superbly-appointed rooms. The rooms feature timber-lined walls and fully-tiled bathrooms with underfloor heating and a monsoon shower head. Indulge in breakfast in the dining room or on the balcony. Alternatively, simply help yourself to a continental breakfast if you prefer.

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10. Bendamere House Bed & Breakfast

Enjoy ultimate privacy and comfort in your detached guest room with a balcony at Benamere House. The boutique B&B is set among a half-acre of lush rose gardens with garden furniture and a viewing platform for keen photographers and dolphin-spotters. Rooms are comfortable and sleek, while the main house has a homely ambience to enjoy while divulging in a breakfast of homebaked muffins, croissants and other continental breakfast foods. What’s more, it’s moments away from the town centre.

Check Bendamere House Bed & Breakfast out:

11. The Fairways at Ocean Ridge

Home comforts are combined with luxury in these thoughtfully-designed apartments reflecting the natural environment. Relax in your king bedroom with a spa bath, cook a romantic meal in your designer kitchen to the stunning views of the surrounding mountains, or even opt for home-cooked breakfasts delivered to your door. The town is just a short drive away, while the golf course is right on your doorstep.

Check The Fairways at Ocean Ridge out:

12. Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses

Settle for nothing less than utter uniqueness and luxury at Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses. This contemporary luxury hotel on a deer breeding farm outside of Kaikoura not only boasts stunning countryside surroundings but is a work of art of its own. Of course, the one-bedroom “Tree House” is the most striking, thrust into the surrounding forest canopy with large windows, deep bathtubs and fireplaces to wrap it all up in a luxurious bow. That’s not to say that the suites and rooms of the main lodge are nothing to snuff at, all tastefully designed with nature in mind. And don’t even get us started on the locally-sourced fine dining cuisine…

Check Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses out:

More About Romantic Accommodations in Kaikoura

That’s it for our list of the most romantic accommodations in Kaikoura, but it’s by no means the end of our travel tips! Get more stellar travel advice from the following guides:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Romantic Getaway & Honeymoon Guide to Kaikoura.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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