Search guest houses in South Island

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Featured guest house destinations

Destination inspiration for your trip – find a guest house

Dunedin

18 guest houses

Christchurch

13 guest houses

Wanaka

12 guest houses

Queenstown

12 guest houses

Nelson

9 guest houses

Motueka

9 guest houses

Lake Tekapo

8 guest houses

Picton

6 guest houses

Blenheim

4 guest houses

Cromwell

4 guest houses

Takaka

3 guest houses

Mapua

3 guest houses

Kaikoura

3 guest houses

Havelock

3 guest houses

Burkes Pass

3 guest houses

Greymouth

3 guest houses

The best guest houses in South Island

Check out our pick of great guest houses in South Island

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Sahara Guest House

Dunedin

Located in Dunedin, near Otago Museum, Taieri Gorge Railway and Forsyth Barr Stadium, Sahara Guest House has a shared lounge.

T
Tze En
From
Singapore
Quaint, homely stay that was good value for money, near town central and very helpful staff.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Superb - What previous guests thought, 1,018 reviews
Price from
US$108.94
1 night, 2 adults

Austin Heights - Kaikoura

Kaikoura

Situated in Kaikoura, 1.3 km from Kaikoura Beach, Austin Heights - Kaikoura features a garden and views of the garden.

M
Mirte
From
Netherlands
Comfortable studio, with balcony. Nice relax seats. And indeed a very nice view.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.5
Exceptional - What previous guests thought, 157 reviews
Price from
US$99.09
1 night, 2 adults

Studio 585

Alexandra

Located just 28 km from Central Otago District Council, Studio 585 provides accommodation in Alexandra with access to a garden, barbecue facilities, as well as bicycle parking.

S
Shelley
From
Abkhazia
Michelle was an awesome host. Her place is very cosy and a lot of thought has been put into every detail. Highly recommend staying at 585 when doing the trail (or for a stopover) Thank you 😊
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.5
Exceptional - What previous guests thought, 164 reviews
Price from
US$101.69
1 night, 2 adults

Berryfields 64

Appleby

Located in Appleby and only 15 km from Christ Church Cathedral, Nelson, Berryfields 64 provides accommodation with garden views, free WiFi and free private parking.

J
Jan
From
United Kingdom
The cleanliness, the location and the facilities, were amazing, as in, providing milk on arrival, breakfast cereals, bread jam, and marmalade. Bed linen is beautifully ironed and fresh, pillows soft and the mattress comfy. Bathroom spotlessly clean and a defuser on the hair hair dryer rarely seen
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.2
Superb - What previous guests thought, 119 reviews
Price from
US$137.62
1 night, 2 adults

Top of the world studio nestled in the rock

Queensberry

Offering a garden and river view, Top of the world studio nestled in the rock is located in Queensberry, 24 km from The Wanaka Tree and 38 km from Central Otago District Council.

K
Karen
From
United Kingdom
The view was amazing, room was lovely, bathroom immaculate, loved the dogs. Could sit there all day looking at the view.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.6
Exceptional - What previous guests thought, 174 reviews
Price from
US$95.61
1 night, 2 adults

Enchanted Escape

Picton

Enchanted Escape is a recently renovated guest house in Picton, where guests can make the most of its garden and bar. This property offers access to a terrace, free private parking and free WiFi.

S
Sally-Ann
From
United Kingdom
Lovely stay here had everything you needed, beautifully done, if anything bathroom very much on the small side!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.3
Superb - What previous guests thought, 180 reviews
Price from
US$92.71
1 night, 2 adults

Maitai Whare Iti - Adventure Cabins & House

Nelson

Situated in Nelson, 7.4 km from Christ Church Cathedral, Nelson, Maitai Whare Iti - Adventure Cabins & House features accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace.

G
Genevieve
From
Australia
Absolutely beautiful cabins. Lovely attention to detail. Views of the forest from the loft bedroom.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.1
Superb - What previous guests thought, 200 reviews
Price from
US$115.31
1 night, 2 adults

Honey Cottage in Ettrick

Millers Flat

Set in Millers Flat in the Otago region, Honey Cottage in Ettrick features a patio. This guest house offers a terrace.

L
Luke
From
United Kingdom
Just as pictured, beautiful location, very quaint, hot tub is great. Fire is nice when cold too
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.6
Exceptional - What previous guests thought, 105 reviews
Price from
US$99.67
1 night, 2 adults

Stump Cottage

Lumsden

Situated in Lumsden in the Southland region, Stump Cottage has a garden. This property offers access to a balcony and free private parking. The guest house is fitted with a flat-screen TV.

N
Nicole
From
New Zealand
Fantastic quirky cottage stay for daughter and I. Very central to Lumsden so easy access to our event. Hosts were polite, welcoming and all expectations of the stay were met/exceeded. Would stay again if visiting Lumsden, and would highly recommend to others
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.4
Superb - What previous guests thought, 126 reviews
Price from
US$104.30
1 night, 2 adults

Catlins Retreat B & B

Owaka

Catlins Retreat B & B is situated in Owaka. Featuring garden and quiet street views, this guest house also includes free WiFi. Guests can access the guest house via private entrance.

T
Terry
From
Canada
Spectacular restored Victorian decor—lots of room; comfortable bed; excellent communication with host; easy access to Catlins area. On the host's recommendation, we dined at the Lumberjack cafe (reservations required) - a truly spectacular meal. Overall, great value for the money.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.3
Superb - What previous guests thought, 304 reviews
Price from
US$108.36
1 night, 2 adults
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FAQs about guest houses in South Island

Guest houses that guests love in South Island

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Avg. price/night: US$186.58
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.2
Very good - What previous guests thought, 75 reviews
Well-appointed and comfortable unit with view of the grapevines from your patio. Bbq to cook an easy dinner and an assortment of breakfast items delivered to room...what is there not to like? Great hosts and a wine tasting of River Rock wines was a bonus. Great location to explore Cromwell area.
Guest review by
Janice
Young couple
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.5
Exceptional - What previous guests thought, 164 reviews
Great hosts. Great location. Shower good and bed comfy. Good breakfast, and free mini golf. Nice property. Otto was great.
Guest review by
MUR
Young couple
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.6
Exceptional - What previous guests thought, 191 reviews
Very tasteful separate guest house in quiet residential area. The hosts live in the main house just above the guesthouse and are very welcoming. They will give you tips for local trips and dining options. There is a barbecue and we could use the bikes to ride into town. Loved the stay and the view and would definitely return if in Wānaka again.
Guest review by
Corina
Young couple
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 231 reviews
Really nice Bed and breakfast, host was really nice. Great location.
Guest review by
Corinne
Young couple
Avg. price/night: US$97.93
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Superb - What previous guests thought, 1,018 reviews
Julie is an amazing host! So friendly, welcoming and helpful. The property is in a perfect location near the university, city centre, Otago Museum, Art Gallery and many cafes, restaurants and bars. The rooms in the guest house are lovely, the beds comfy, and everything spotlessly clean. The continental breakfast is plentiful and the dining room sunny and light. This was my second stay and this is now my go-to accommodation in Dunedin!
Guest review by
Lisa
Solo traveller
Avg. price/night: US$101.40
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.4
Superb - What previous guests thought, 510 reviews
Lovely room in charming house; great breakfast; very helpful host; quiet location
Guest review by
Helen H
Solo traveller
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.7
Exceptional - What previous guests thought, 51 reviews
Beautifully presented, clean, cosy and welcoming. Lovely little touches like cereals left for our for breakfast, speciality tea selection, local honey, plunger coffee (in addition to instant coffee) and some chocolates left for us too. Super friendly hosts and great location just a few minutes drive from QT centre. Great to have the separate unit so we felt like we were staying in our own wee home away from home, quiet location with a stunning view and the sound of the river (and occasional jet boat!).
Guest review by
Lynne
Young couple
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.7
Good - What previous guests thought, 53 reviews
Great location, just a minute or so walk to the jetty and waterfront. Very quiet, slept very soundly. Roses is a lovely host and the unit has everything you need. The photos don’t do it justice!
Guest review by
Celia Jaspers
Family with young children
Avg. price/night: US$95.61
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 104 reviews
Located in the city centre, much cheaper than hotels in the area, easy to access and very private/quiet. Hosts were accommodating for an early check in which was lovely! Would definitely come back and stay again!
Guest review by
Brooke
Young couple
Avg. price/night: US$101.40
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.5
Exceptional - What previous guests thought, 114 reviews
It was very spacious and quiet. David was a great host.
Guest review by
Marie
Young couple