If you are planning an Antipodean escape, then you are spoiled for choice in location – do you head for the wide expanses and metropolitan cities of Australia, or do you venture to the smaller, yet iconic locations of New Zealand.
There are several reasons why both Australia and New Zealand are the destinations of choice for holidaymakers as well as those who are looking for a place to travel on their gap year. With so much to see and do, whichever you choose, you are spoiled for choice in terms of hotels, too.
The Best Hotels in New Zealand
Helena Bay Lodge, Whangarei
If you want a totally unique, romantic getaway then this is the place. Consisting of just five lodges, with private beaches and views over the Pacific, it’s the picture-perfect place to get away from it all.
The remote location, spacious yet intimate lodges, and all the amenities that you would need, all tucked away from the world, makes this the place you want to splurge all your savings on – and then come back again year after year.
SkyCity Grand Hotel, Auckland
The Skytower is in central Auckland and reaching 328 metres towards the sky it can’t be missed. At the base is the SkyCity Grand Hotel.
Defined by Manhattan styling and big, bold, modern art, the SkyCity Grand has a bar and a restaurant, a spa, and a fitness centre – and access to the SkyCity Casino.
The SkyCity Casino is a little slice of Vegas in the heart of Auckland – while you might not need to suit up like James Bond to get in, you are expected to adhere to the dress code and must be over 20 to access the 2100 gaming machines and 150 gaming tables. Practice online before you go with minimum deposit on casinos.com.
The Hotel Britomart, Auckland, New Zealand
The Hotel Britomart is all about sustainable hospitality, and it was built with the environment in mind. From the handmade bricks to slippers that are made from shredded coconut husks, the hotel itself has found a home in what was a derelict part of the city.
You’ll find calmness and tranquillity in the soaring glass and concrete atrium, and that’s a theme that continues throughout the building, with bedrooms that were designed to be all about the texture.
A highlight for many is Kingi – a stunning, sustainable seafood restaurant for the guests of the hotel.
The Best Hotels in Australia
The Langham Gold Coast, Queensland
This 5-star resort opened in 2022 and is the first luxury beachfront hotel to be built on the Gold Coast for more than thirty years. You can’t miss the three shiny towers that make up the resort, and many of the rooms offer panoramic ocean views that are as unforgettable as you might imagine.
Aside from the well-appointed rooms, you can visit the health club and spa or the two swimming pools and enjoy a meal at one of the six restaurants in the complex.
Como The Treasury, Perth
In the geographic centre of the city of Perth sits three heritage buildings that once housed important government agencies – and that history has been preserved in the creation of this stunning hotel. Cosy yet luxurious, every aspect of the hotel has been designed to keep the original features alive, and the minimalistic rooms are understated, refined, and surprisingly spacious.
Throughout the three buildings, you can spend time at the infinity pool, work out with a personal trainer, or visit the private library.
Jackalope Hotel, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
When this hotel opened in 2017, the blend of a rustic, farmhouse setting with an Avant Garde urban style was quite the leap. The theatrical touches in the black and gold colour scheme and the statement piece furniture make this a hotel that is something you’d expect to see in the heart of a metropolitan city.
Each room is different, with outside space – and the onsite winery is something to be admired, too.
Which is Better?
What would you prefer? Wide open spaces and more to see than you could cover in a lifetime, or a smaller, more intimate landscape?
Whether you are into wildlife spotting, hiking, climbing mountains, or experiencing metropolitan city life, you could find something impressive in both places – but the real litmus test will be which place can steal your heart.
Australia might be the place for you if you want to experience the best of modern culture while still being in touching distance of largely unexplored world. You might prefer New Zealand if you wish you were born in Hobbiton or are desperate for some really wild, rugged adventure in a country that is all about the experience.
Culturally, visually, and emotionally – Australia and New Zealand might be similar, but they are not the same.