Top 10 unique places to stay

In some of the most spectacular locations across Aotearoa New Zealand are little cabins called PurePods(opens in new window). While most hotels seal you off from the outside world with small windows and thick lace curtains, PurePods are designed to do the opposite. These sustainably built cabins are made almost entirely of glass, giving 360-degree views - even from the shower. Don't be alarmed if you value your privacy: the pods are in some of country’s most remote places, so privacy is pretty much what’s on offer.

If you have found memories of your childhood treehouse, you may want to think twice before staying at Hapuku Lodge and Tree Houses. Spend a night here, and you may come to the realisation that you were short changed. These amazing treehouses offer luxury accommodation, along with stunning alpine and coastal views and an exclusive health spa. What won’t have changed since childhood is that there will still be an adult on hand to tell you to come down if you’re still up there when your time is up.

Staydium Glamping(opens in new window) at Eden Park Stadium offers you the chance to spend the night in one of rugby’s most famous grounds. New Zealand's national rugby union team, the All Blacks, hasn’t lost a test match at Eden Park for thirty years, making it one of rugby’s most difficult playing fields for visiting sides. You can have this hallowed piece of turf all to yourself or go on a match day and watch the game from your tent. The tents are igloo-style domes, positioned high above the pitch and decked out with bougie designer furniture, Nespresso machines, and Bose speakers. There are even ensuite bathrooms. Other perks include roof top tours and pin-code entry to the stadium, so you can come and go as you please.

Go against the grain and spend the night in a silo. SiloStay’s(opens in new window) self-contained silos promise to be the most comfortable grain storage units you’ll ever get a night’s kip in. Equipped with all the usual conveniences and mod cons, these incredible units have been designed with sustainability in mind, featuring innovations such as underfloor insulation made of wool and heating generated by a wood-pellet stove. Guests can also enjoy optional extras like breakfast at sunrise, guided nature walks, and private wildlife sketching classes with a local artist.

Unlike most luxury hotels, The Lindis(opens in new window) has been architecturally designed not to stand out but to blend in. From a distance, the sloping wooden roof, the colours of rock and sand, mimics the undulating valley floor surrounding it, causing the eye to bounce off the unassuming façade to the spectacular landscape of the Ahuriri Valley. From inside, sweeping glass walls keep the focus directed outwards. And interiors of hardwood panelling and bluestone masonry reflect and complement the extraordinary sideshow, reminding one that the only true privilege in life is proximity to nature.

The first thing you’ll notice when leaving Kāpiti Island(opens in new window) is how much you want to turn around and go back. The small island, located off the Kapiti Coast, is a predator-free reserve for native birds. So prevalent are these birds, there’s a constant stream of them at your feet and flying overhead, and their constant chatter is the last thing you’ll hear at night before you fall asleep. Contrary to expectation, their lively birdsong couldn’t be more relaxing and uplifting. Accommodation options range from glamping tents to basic but functional cabins.

This quaint beach house brings new meaning to the phrase ‘seaside views.’ Located on a remote beach in the West Coast of the South Island, Woodpecker Bay Bach(opens in new window) is so close to the shoreline that when the tide comes in, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were floating on the ocean. Other charming features include colourful retro furnishings and a clawfoot bathtub. Much like its surroundings, Woodpecker Bay Bach gives the wonderful impression of time standing still.

For a genuine backcountry experience, spend the night at Mud Hut(opens in new window). Originally built by Chinese Gold Miners in the 1890s, the hut retains the original fireplace and restored mud walls. While amenities are basic, including an outdoor bath and toilet, and it’s a 10km hike in and out, this is a small price for the freedom of 2,000 hectares of high-country hiking and cycling bliss.

If you're looking for a remote hideway with epic views, the five-star Whare Kea Lodge(opens in new window) perched on top of Albert Burn Saddle in the Southern Alps is about as remote and epic as it gets. Only accessible by helicopter, the fully equipped chalet serves as an excellent base for exploring the area. Optional extras include qualified mountain guides for private heli-hiking and ski-touring expeditions that begin from the chalet’s doorstep.

Perched on a clifftop overlooking the Tasman Sea, Pipinui Point(opens in new window) is a fantastic retreat boasting some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most dramatic coastal views. Everything about this two-bedroom lodge has been designed to showcase the spectacular surroundings, from its spacious deck, floor-to-ceiling windows to the outdoor bathtub. Best of all, you’ll have this isolated spot all to yourself, despite being just a half-hour’s drive from Wellington city.