The Ten Best Luxury Getaways from Auckland

If you fancy a glam getaway close to home, you’re in luck. Auckland is blessed with loads of dreamy destinations within a credit card’s throw of town, ideal for blissed-out breaks with your partner or posse.

Concrete Playground has teamed up with boutique hotel specialists Mr & Mrs Smith to round up ten of the best luxury hotels and self-catering stays in New Zealand (plus a few detours to Australia), including everything from sexy city stays to romantic rustic retreats. And don’t worry, we’ve got you covered for spa hedonism, winery wandering and island hopping, too.

So grab your wallet and your girl or boy, and go.

The Boatshed

Where: Waiheke Island, New Zealand

Set on Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf, just over half an hour's ferry ride from New Zealand's North Island city hub Auckland, blissful beachside boutique hotel The Boatshed combines nautical design with laid-back luxe.

Perched above a bay, rooms enjoy panoramic views of Little Oneroa beach, and inside the stylish, pale-toned decor includes quirky touches such as telescopes and lifebelts.

Hotel DeBrett

Where: 2 High Street, Auckland, New Zealand

When you need a mini-break without actually leaving the city, Hotel DeBrett in Auckland’s CBD is the perfect place to roost, just a skip away from convivial Vulcan Lane and High Street’s fashion-forward stores (handy for scoping NZ labels such as Kate Sylvester, Zambesi or Karen Walker).

This stylish haven has long been popular with in-the-know locals, who throng the intimate, speakeasy-style Housebar come evening. Brunching at in-house restaurant Kitchen has become a hot weekend ticket, too, and as a guest you’ll have first dibs. Bring your shades as the stripy rugs in the 25 rooms are ultra bright; art deco goes Pop.

Eagles Nest

Where: Bay of Islands, New Zealand

A luxurious estate atop a private peninsula overlooking New Zealand's Bay of Islands, Eagles Nest hotel has five ultra-contemporary, individually designed villas with spectacular views.

This North Island boutique retreat is the ultimate in exclusivity and beyond-five-star hospitality, encompassing 75-acres of sub-tropical native bush with secluded beaches and more than 144 islands to explore. With private chefs, infinity pools and even a Porsche at your disposal, you can do as much or as little as you like.

Huka Lodge

Where: Lake Taupo, New Zealand

Whether you’re into fishing, food or the great outdoors, luxury boutique hotel Huka Lodge is rated as one of the world’s top retreats. Set in Taupo, home to New Zealand’s largest lake in the heart of the volcanic North Island, this heritage 1920s hotel was founded as a simple fishing lodge.

Surrounded by lush, green grounds beside the Waikato River and cascading Huka Falls, it’s still a top angling destination as well as an adventurous gourmet getaway, offering al fresco dining under the stars. It also makes a great base for skiing in winter, with the North Island's premier slopes, undulating amid volcanic cones, a short hop from Taupo.

The Farm at Cape Kidnappers

Where: Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

What do you get when you combine a 6,000-acre working sheep and cattle farm with jaw-dropping Pacific Ocean views, a glam golf course and soothing spa? Luxe boutique hotel The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, on New Zealand's dramatic Hawke's Bay in the North Island.

Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa

Where: 2600 Wolgan Valley Road, Blue Mountains, Australia

So, you need a country fix? Lovers of all things rural will go ga-ga for Blue Mountains boutique hotel Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa.

A luxe eco-retreat set in over 4,000 acres of Jurassic Park-style wilderness, it’s less than three hours’ drive from Sydney. Once there, work the cowboy look with a spot of horse-riding, mount a mountain bike or just hit the seductive pool or spa. Then again, it’s hard to tear yourself away from skinny-dipping in your own plunge pool, which come as standard in the 40 swish, standalone suites. Cate Blanchett and The Sartorialist fashion blog crew are all fans of Wolgan’s just-remote-enough charms.

Capella Lodge

Where: Lagoon Road, Lord Howe Island, off Australia

Elegant escape Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island definitely ticks the ‘getting away from it all’ box.

There are a lot of birds here, but you don’t have to be a binoculars-toting twitcher to get on a natural high. Soak up views of tropical peaks, turquoise lagoons and coral reefs from the hotel’s nine stylish suites, the dreamy infinity pool or the terrace bar, where cocktails and sunset go together like sunglasses and Stevie Wonder. Grab a free bike to tour the island’s beaches before returning for some fine dining and spa pampering.

The Cullen, Melbourne

Where: 164 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Australia

Flex your art muscles at The Cullen boutique hotel in Melbourne, a stylish homage to Aussie art’s 'enfant terrible', Adam Cullen. Hip, modern interiors in the lobby and 119 sleek bedrooms are decked out with Adam’s vibrant, cartoonish paintings and prints, including iconic Ned Kelly bushranger images.

The ground-floor is a sociable spot to hang out, with brunch and casual bites at the Terrace bistro by day, and Chinese dumplings galore at Hutong by night. Prahran Market is right opposite if you feel a Melbourne foodie moment coming on, and Chapel Street’s fashion-savvy shops are a stroll away. For eco-chic exploring, hire one of the bespoke red Swedish pushbikes or a Smart car for the day.

Pretty Beach House

Where: 83 High View Road, Pretty Beach, Australia

In an ideal world, we’d all have our own beach house. Don’t despair if your budget doesn’t extend to shoreside real estate, though. Get behind the wheel and sashay up to Pretty Beach House hotel on the Central Coast of New South Wales.

Just 100 kilometres from Sydney, this is a seriously stylish stay with a real feel for the Australian bush. Surrounded by ancient angophoras and silvery eucalypts, this modern-rustic guesthouse on the Bouddi Peninsula offers views out to Brisbane Waters from its dreamy poolside deck. There are just three one-bedroom pavilions and delicious Italian meals and snacks come care of top chef Stefano Manfredi. Make time for a free guided bush walk, or head to crowd-free coves and beaches for a cooling dip.

Byron Bay Villa

Where: above Wategos Beach, Byron Bay (address details shared on booking), Australia

Even if it wasn’t languishing above one of Byron Bay’s most blissful beaches (the wonderful Wategos), Byron Bay Villa would get our vote. A double-decked diva of a beach house, this boho pad offers open-plan, white-on-white contemporary interiors with hip retro touches.

Kenzo-striped sofas and cheery patterned cushions stop the styling getting sterile, as do seductive Asian sculptures. Killer Pacific Ocean views are a given (admire them from the lap pool or spa), so look out for dolphins year-round or whales if you’re here between June and November. This glam abode sleeps up to eight, with a knock-out kitchen. Then again Bryon Bay’s mellow cafés and restaurants are always pretty tempting too.