New Zealand’s luxury lodge scene is evolving in a direction we genuinely love. Privacy, landscape-led design, and hosting that feels personal. We know only too well that the right stay sets the rhythm of each region and elevates the overall New Zealand experience.
We’re highlighting five properties that have caught our eye, including two recent headlines: The Lodge at Craggy Range, newly opened in Hawke’s Bay, and Flockhill Lodge, recently named on TIME’s World’s Greatest Places 2026.
Flockhill Lodge (recently named on TIME’s World’s Greatest Places 2026)
Location: Craigieburn Valley, South Island - 90 minutes from Christchurch (South Island)
Recently named on TIME’s World’s Greatest Places of 2026, Flockhill is set on a 36,000-acre historic sheep station in the Southern Alps - a place where the landscape genuinely leads.
Highlights
- A four-bedroom homestead plus standalone villas
- Sugarloaf restaurant dining, with Chef's Table experience for lodge guests
- Wellness spa with sauna, cold plunge and hot pool facing Sugarloaf Peak
- Activities including fishing, hiking, horseback riding, heli-tours and more
Why we love Flockhill Lodge: It captures the South Island high country in a way that feels both grounded and deeply memorable - architecture, food, clear night skies and a sense of space.
The Lodge at Craggy Range (recently opened)
Location: Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay (North Island)
Opened in March 2026, The Lodge at Craggy Range is a private four-bedroom retreat within Craggy Range’s Giants Estate, with vineyard and valley views toward Te Mata Peak. Our team visited recently and were genuinely impressed by the sense of considered luxury here - generous shared spaces, a calm feeling of seclusion, and the vineyard story right outside the door. Craggy Range also offers other accommodation options for different stay styles.
Highlights
- Giants Estate setting overlooking the Tukituki Valley and Te Mata Peak
- Four bedrooms, each with a private ensuite, plus expansive living areas
- On-estate fine dining and private wine experiences
Why we love The Lodge at Craggy Range: Because it feels like a private home in the middle of wine country - refined, spacious, and made for slow mornings and long lunches.
Kinloch Manor & Villas
Location: Kinloch, 20 minutes from Taupō (North Island)
Kinloch combines a calm lake setting with genuine golf pedigree - home to New Zealand’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature 18-hole course at The Kinloch Club. It suits guests who want a polished base with open views, amazing food, and the option to dial the days up or down. After a recent visit, we were particularly struck by the sense of space and quiet order here - it’s well set up for guests who like their days balanced between activity and downtime.
Highlights
- Priority access to The Kinloch Club’s Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course
- On-property experiences including tennis, e-bikes and lakeside time
- Relaxing and secluded Spa facilities
Why we love Kinloch Manor & Villas: Because it captures Lake Taupō in a more private, considered way - with just enough structure, and plenty of room to breathe.
Lodge by the Beach
Location: Abel Tasman coast, Nelson Tasman Region (South Island)
Lodge by the Beach is deliberately intimate: four architect-designed suites on separate levels for privacy, set above a peaceful stretch of coastline. Days are simple in the best way - sea air, native bush, and time on the water - with thoughtful inclusions that keep everything effortless.
Highlights
- Gourmet breakfast and a four-course dinner prepared by the lodge’s private Michelin-recognised chef
- Kayaks and paddleboards available, with access from the private beach to iconic Split-Apple rock
- Stunning ocean views
Why we love Lodge by the Beach: Because it’s Abel Tasman with the volume turned down - private, restorative, and beautifully simple.
Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses
Location: Kaikōura, between the Kaikōura Ranges and the Pacific Ocean (South Island)
Hapuku is a five-star lodge with a strong sense of calm - equal parts nature and quiet luxury - with standout accommodation formats including its well-known Tree Houses.
Nats recently visited for a hosted site inspection and lunch with the General Manager and noted a beautiful set-up - with genuinely excellent food. The dining focus here is a real strength, with menus shaped by season and local sourcing.
Highlights
- Signature Tree Houses plus lodge suites and a private house option
- Seasonal dining with a strong local-sourcing approach
- Spa and wellness offering on site
Why we love Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses: Because it pairs Kaikōura’s landscape with a genuinely restorative pace - elevated accommodation, thoughtful hosting, and food that holds its own.
Bay of Many Coves
Location: Queen Charlotte Sound, Marlborough Sounds - near Picton (South Island).
Bay of Many Coves is a five-star resort tucked into a sheltered cove in the Marlborough Sounds, surrounded by native bush and water. It’s a setting that naturally slows the pace - with an easy mix of time on the bay, relaxed dining, and quiet comfort.
When we visited recently we came away impressed - a fantastic property with a special feel, made even easier by the on-site details (golf carts, day spa, onsite activities and beautiful food).
Highlights
- Secluded resort setting in Queen Charlotte Sound, Marlborough Sounds
- Miritu Day Spa, plus pool and hot tub
- Water activities and access to bush walks / Queen Charlotte Track connections
Why we love Bay of Many Coves: Because it delivers the Marlborough Sounds in a way that feels effortless: calm water, beautiful views, and all the comforts in place to stay put and settle in.