Extraordinary Escapes: Find Your Relaxing Getaway in New Zealand

Amid the stunning landscape of Matawhero Winery, these luxury cabins offer a peaceful escape surrounded by award-winning vines. With the autumnal sun setting over the vineyard, the views from your cabin’s private deck could hardly be better.

While each cabin has a kitchenette so you can whip up a meal, the rustic cellar door offers tempting cheese platters and wine pairings. While you’re there, explore the winery’s underground cellar which is home to not only many of Matawhero’s vintage wines, but those from other New Zealand wineries too. 

Located just 10 minutes outside of Gisborne, venture beyond Matawhero Winery to explore even more wineries, partake in an astro tour or go for a scenic bike ride along a coastal railway route.

Discover New Zealand’s only geothermal mud spa at Hell’s Gate Geothermal Reserve and Mud Spa.

Immersed in native bushland and steamy clouds, this rejuvenating experience might just redefine the meaning of relaxation. With three bookings to choose between, the ‘Hell’s Gate Experience’ combines interactive geothermal walks with dips into mud baths and sulphur spas. You’ll also appreciate the remarkable history behind Hell’s Gate, with Māori warriors healing their wounds in its mud for over 800 years.

In the heart of Wellington’s cultural centre on Ghuznee St, right by bustling Cuba Street, is The Intrepid Hotel. This unbeatable location is the perfect starting point from which to take in the capital city’s many sights and explore some of the best restaurants, bars, cafes, and vintage shopping in town.

The hotel features 18 contemporary rooms across three floors. The rooms are split into three sizes — Precious (queen), Baker Street (king), and Mighty (super king) — and all come furnished with luxurious beds, velvety furniture and unique artwork.

All of your traditional in-room luxuries are there, too, including plush robes, fresh linen sheets, extra-large television screens and sustainable skin care provided by plant-based retailer Real World.

Minibars are stocked with complimentary local beverages and snacks, while outside on the landing guests have access to bottomless Coffee Supreme filter coffee and Libertine Tea.

Positioned in a particularly beautiful part of Hawke’s Bay, Te Mānia is a stunning property in harmony with the landscape.

Set on a lake’s edge with uninterrupted valley views, there’s enough space for four couples if you’re planning an idyllic escape with friends or family. Brimming with architectural details and contemporary touches, a huge projector screen and a roaring fireplace make autumnal nights even more special.

Although Hawke’s Bay is synonymous with wine country — and lives up to its reputation as a haven for food and wine lovers — there’s much more to see and do. The idyllic region also boasts fantastic birdwatching with the largest gannet colony in the world, a coastal promenade perfect for ambling along and Art Deco architecture straight from the 1930s.

Set along Golden Bay on the northern fringe of the South Island and right on the doorstep of idyllic Abel Tasman National Park, Drift Off Grid is a luxury glamping experience without compromise.

Flanked by native bushland, each cosy tent features log burners, underfloor heating and loads of blankets. Perched on a steep hillside, you’ll also have a beautiful view of the nearby water. Plus, guests get their own electric buggy to make getting to and from the beach a breeze.

Beyond the luxury glamping grounds, there’s even more paradise to be enjoyed in Abel Tasman National Park where crisp mornings, calm waters and serene beaches await alongside an array of outdoor experiences including kayaking, catamaran sailing and heli-tours. Inside the National Park is also where you’ll find the multi-day Abel Tasman Coastal Track, one of New Zealand’s signature ‘Great Walks’.

Pumice Tiny House might only be 45 square metres, but this tiny house shaped from straw bale leaves a big impression on its guests.

Crafted with love from top to bottom, the lime-plastered walls evoke the feeling of a cocoon, making it ideal for chilly autumn nights. The house is decked out with thoughtful textures and bespoke furnishings, while the outdoor fire-pit provides the perfect spot to admire Mount Ruapehu’s impressive summit rising in the distance.

The inimitable dwelling is an ideal base on any road trip through the scenic Ruapehu District, which lies in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island. From here, Ruapehu’s many charms — from alpine crossings, mountain biking trails, a wide range of hikes and even a gondola to take in all the region’s impressive natural beauty from the sky — are easily accessible.

The awe-inspiring surrounds of Queenstown are luxurious enough, but a stay at the Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa will add even more extravagance to your adventure.

Overlooking an organic Pinot Noir vineyard, 24 villas feature private decks, sunny courtyards and boundless views of the picturesque landscape.

Incredible relaxation awaits across the rest of the property, with a fully kitted spa offering rejuvenating treatments and a high-end restaurant serving seasonal cuisine. The lodge’s spa was voted New Zealand’s Best Resort Spa in the 2024 World Spa Awards for the fifth time running and is open to day guests too.

You don’t have to travel far from the city to find a luxury getaway amid nature.

Enveloped by pristine native forest in Kawakawa Bay – less than an hour’s drive from Auckland – you’ll discover three cabins by Unyoked designed for peace and tranquillity.

Tucked alongside a charming stream, breathe in the fresh air from your wood-fired outdoor tub and immerse yourself in the serene surroundings. The location is home to native birdlife and should you choose to leave your cabin of calm, some of Auckland’s best beaches with picturesque scenery and comfortable walking paths can be found close by in Kawakawa Bay.

Nestled on 650 acres amid the Southern Alps and just a short drive from Queenstown, Arrowtown’s Millbrook Resort is a sprawling five-star stay with opulence around every corner.

Featuring stunning suites, homes and retreats, top-notch amenities combine with endlessly peaceful surroundings.

Just some of the highlights are five on-site dining venues, including an award-winning Japanese restaurant, and two 18-hole golf courses in a natural alpine amphitheatre. Alongside a serene spa and a raft of incredible experiences, Millbrook is as extravagant as it sounds.

Just 15 minutes from Wānaka, Lake Hāwea Station offers visitors an authentic farm experience while they stay on-site.

The farm has four accommodation options available: the three-bedroom glass-walled Lake House, the studio-like Little L tiny house (replete with a miniature library), the simple two-bedroom Homespur cottage and the historic Packhouse cottage, which sleeps six. All boast stellar lake views, outdoor fire pits, hot tubs and outdoor dining.

Owners Jussie and Geoff Ross received recognition for their renovation and transformation of the 16,000-acre property after they purchased it in 2018. They were also acknowledged for the farm’s focus on animal welfare practices, enhanced biodiversity and their work to slow climate change — including the planting of more than 100,000 native trees.