Kaikoura

Q: What are the best luxury hotels in Kaikoura?

Top-rated 5-star hotels in Kaikoura: Cubby House Stay, Glenburn Coastal Retreat, Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses.

Photo by Kerin Gedge on Unsplash

1 / 1

Kaikoura

New Zealand · Coastal town

Kaikoura is a small coastal town on New Zealand's South Island where the Seaward Kaikoura Range drops straight into the Pacific and sperm whales surface offshore. Its 47 places to stay run from family B&Bs to adults-only tree houses, making it an easy base for wildlife cruises and the crayfish the town is known for.

Known for: Nature · Outdoors · Food · Mountains

6°/ 6°

Overcast

6:00 AM local time (UTC+13)

Check weather

You might want to ask

Featured hotels

View more hotels

Cubby House Stay

5.0

593 Kincaid Road Hapuku

(35 reviews)

The Hamptons

4.0

138 Esplanade

(60 reviews)

Glenburn Coastal Retreat

5.0

413 Old Beach Road Hapuku

(52 reviews)

Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses

5.0

8 Station Road

(138 reviews)

Kaikoura Cottage Motels

4.0

Cnr Old Beach Road, Mill Road,Kaikoura District

(79 reviews)

Bendamere House Bed & Breakfast

4.0

37 Adelphi Terrace Kaikoura

(77 reviews)

Inn the Bay Bed & Breakfast

4.0

196 Esplanade

(39 reviews)

Te Mahuru Retreat

4.0

233 Schoolhouse Road

(150 reviews)

Lemon Tree Lodge

4.0

31 Adelphi Terrace Kaikoura

(50 reviews)

Mondello Kaikoura

4.0

29 Beach Road

(211 reviews)

Koura Bay Golf Resort

4.0

75 Koura Bay Drive Kaikoura

(207 reviews)

Kaikoura Top 10 Holiday Park

4.0

34 Beach Road Kaikoura

(1,336 reviews)

Hotel tips for you

Guest Hospitality: Guests often praise the friendly hosts at Kaikoura accommodations for their warm welcome and useful local advice.
Breakfast Highlights: Breakfast is a recurring highlight in reviews, with many B&Bs and lodges offering generous spreads and homemade baked goods.
Scenic Views: Travelers often mention sweeping sea and mountain views, so it's a good idea to request a room facing the coast or ranges.
Road Conditions: The coastal highway into Kaikoura can close for weather or slips, so check current road conditions before driving there.

Top viewpoints

Whale Watch Kaikoura

Whaleway Station Road, Kaikōura 7340, New Zealand

(4,928 reviews)

Encounter Kaikoura (Dolphin Encounter)

96 Esplanade, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand

(2,129 reviews)

Ohau Point Lookout

Half Moon Bay 7371, New Zealand

(1,692 reviews)

Point Kean Viewpoint

40 Fyffe Quay, Kaikōura Peninsula, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand

(1,339 reviews)

Kaikoura Seal Colony

Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway, Kaikōura Peninsula, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand

(946 reviews)

EcoZip Adventures Kaikoura

75 West End, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand

(866 reviews)

Kaikoura Visitor Information Centre

75 West End, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand

(687 reviews)

Kaikoura Lookout

274 Scarborough Street, South Bay, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand

(623 reviews)

Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway

Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway, Kaikōura Peninsula, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand

(597 reviews)

Kaikoura Museum

96 West End, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand

(543 reviews)

Top viewpoints

When to visit

Things to do

Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

3h 30m

(3,045 reviews)

From $103

Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch

11 hr

(194 reviews)

From $224

Seal Swimming Tour from Kaikoura

2h 30m

(282 reviews)

From $103

Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura

3 hr

(447 reviews)

From $71

Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura

3h 30m

(313 reviews)

From $120

Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura

3 hr

(501 reviews)

From $95

Llama Trek (Taster) - Kowhai River Valley and Native Woodland Tour

1h 30m

(83 reviews)

From $77

Sunset Kayak tour in Kaikoura

3 hr

(55 reviews)

From $83

Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight

30 min

(112 reviews)

From $126

Kaikōura Whale Watching Scenic Flight (40 Minutes)

40 min

(229 reviews)

From $169

Llama Trek (Half-day) - Kaikoura Bay, Beaches & Seal Colony

3h 30m

(172 reviews)

From $143

Whale Watching in Kaikoura - Ultimate Experience

30 min

(203 reviews)

From $152

Things to do

Ready-to-go itineraries

2-Day Kaikoura Highlights

2 days

Weekend in Kaikoura

3 days

5-Day Kaikoura Deep Dive

5 days

Create your own trip to Kaikoura

How long are you going for?

Who's coming?

What are you into?

Anything else?

Create my itinerary

Frequently asked questions about Kaikoura

Where should I stay in Kaikoura?

These are some of the best-reviewed hotels in Kaikoura:

Cubby House Stay★ 5.0 · 35 reviews
The Hamptons★ 4.9 · 60 reviews
Glenburn Coastal Retreat★ 4.9 · 52 reviews
Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses★ 4.8 · 138 reviews
Kaikoura Cottage Motels★ 4.8 · 79 reviews
Bendamere House Bed & Breakfast★ 4.8 · 77 reviews

What are the best luxury hotels in Kaikoura?

Top-rated 5-star hotels in Kaikoura:

Cubby House Stay★ 5.0 · 35 reviews
Glenburn Coastal Retreat★ 4.9 · 52 reviews
Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses★ 4.8 · 138 reviews

What are the best tours and activities in Kaikoura?

Popular, well-reviewed experiences you can book in Kaikoura:

Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat★ 4.5 · 3,045 reviews · From $103
Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch★ 4.4 · 194 reviews · From $224
Seal Swimming Tour from Kaikoura★ 5.0 · 282 reviews · From $103
Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura★ 5.0 · 447 reviews · From $71
Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura★ 5.0 · 313 reviews · From $120

What day trips can I take from Kaikoura?

Full-day trips that start in Kaikoura:

Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch★ 4.4 · 194 reviews · 11 hr · From $224
Kaikoura Swim with Dolphins Tour from Christchurch★ 4.5 · 29 reviews · 12 hr · From $286

Ask about Kaikoura in chat

Top viewpoints

Whale Watch Kaikoura

Whaleway Station Road, Kaikōura 7340, New Zealand

(4,928 reviews)

Encounter Kaikoura (Dolphin Encounter)

96 Esplanade, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand

(2,129 reviews)

Ohau Point Lookout

Half Moon Bay 7371, New Zealand

(1,692 reviews)

Point Kean Viewpoint

40 Fyffe Quay, Kaikōura Peninsula, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand

(1,339 reviews)

Kaikoura Seal Colony

Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway, Kaikōura Peninsula, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand

(946 reviews)

EcoZip Adventures Kaikoura

75 West End, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand

(866 reviews)

Kaikoura Visitor Information Centre

75 West End, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand

(687 reviews)

Kaikoura Lookout

274 Scarborough Street, South Bay, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand

(623 reviews)

Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway

Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway, Kaikōura Peninsula, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand

(597 reviews)

Kaikoura Museum

96 West End, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand

(543 reviews)

Frequently asked questions about Kaikoura

Where should I stay in Kaikoura?

These are some of the best-reviewed hotels in Kaikoura:

Cubby House Stay★ 5.0 · 35 reviews
The Hamptons★ 4.9 · 60 reviews
Glenburn Coastal Retreat★ 4.9 · 52 reviews
Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses★ 4.8 · 138 reviews
Kaikoura Cottage Motels★ 4.8 · 79 reviews
Bendamere House Bed & Breakfast★ 4.8 · 77 reviews

What are the best luxury hotels in Kaikoura?

Top-rated 5-star hotels in Kaikoura:

Cubby House Stay★ 5.0 · 35 reviews
Glenburn Coastal Retreat★ 4.9 · 52 reviews
Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses★ 4.8 · 138 reviews

What are the best tours and activities in Kaikoura?

Popular, well-reviewed experiences you can book in Kaikoura:

Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat★ 4.5 · 3,045 reviews · From $103
Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch★ 4.4 · 194 reviews · From $224
Seal Swimming Tour from Kaikoura★ 5.0 · 282 reviews · From $103
Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura★ 5.0 · 447 reviews · From $71
Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura★ 5.0 · 313 reviews · From $120

What day trips can I take from Kaikoura?

Full-day trips that start in Kaikoura:

Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch★ 4.4 · 194 reviews · 11 hr · From $224
Kaikoura Swim with Dolphins Tour from Christchurch★ 4.5 · 29 reviews · 12 hr · From $286

Things to do

Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

3h 30m

(3,045 reviews)

From $103

Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch

11 hr

(194 reviews)

From $224

Seal Swimming Tour from Kaikoura

2h 30m

(282 reviews)

From $103

Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura

3 hr

(447 reviews)

From $71

Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura

3h 30m

(313 reviews)

From $120

Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura

3 hr

(501 reviews)

From $95

Llama Trek (Taster) - Kowhai River Valley and Native Woodland Tour

1h 30m

(83 reviews)

From $77

Sunset Kayak tour in Kaikoura

3 hr

(55 reviews)

From $83

Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight

30 min

(112 reviews)

From $126

Kaikōura Whale Watching Scenic Flight (40 Minutes)

40 min

(229 reviews)

From $169

Llama Trek (Half-day) - Kaikoura Bay, Beaches & Seal Colony

3h 30m

(172 reviews)

From $143

Whale Watching in Kaikoura - Ultimate Experience

30 min

(203 reviews)

From $152

6°/ 6°

Overcast

6:00 AM local time (UTC+13)

Check weather