Sometimes you have to go to the ends of the earth to find decent digs, but in this case, the end of New Zealand will do, and there are some gorgeous places to choose from if you’re heading to Waihōpai Invercargill, Bluff and beyond.
Live it up in a flash as pad or get a bit rustic with it, here are 12 of the best stays in Invercargill.
The Langlands Hotel
59 Dee Street, Invercargill, Southland
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Image credit: The Langlands Hotel | ILT
The gorgeous Langlands Hotel is the hot new go-to for a five-star boutique stay with all the trimmings, and lashings of southern hospitality. The swoon-worthy rooms and suites include massive freestanding bathtubs plus super-comfy beds, and the equally luxurious public spaces are overflowing with beautiful regionally inspired touches.
Head for the 360 rooftop bar to knock back a few fine cocktails and marvel at the gorgeous cityscape vistas, before sitting down to a banquet of amazing fusion cuisine at the sexy signature restaurant, Meld. This is grown-up Invercargill like you’ve never known it.
The Church 1914
201 Ness Street, Appleby, Invercargill, Southland
Image credit: The Church 1914 | Supplied
If your idea of worship is sleeping in luxury linens surrounded by exceptional design with historical cred, then The Church 1914 will practically be a religious experience.
This former house of godliness has been transformed into beautiful boutique lodgings, with four ensuite rooms including a breathtaking honeymoon suite. Guests are treated to welcome drinks, T2 teas and home-cooked breakfasts to rival the fanciest café fare.
This lavish little gem can currently only be booked via their Facebook page. A unique base for a leisurely long weekend. Bless up.
Land’s End
10 Ward Parade, Bluff, Southland
Image credit: Land's End | Booking .com
Make the short pilgrimage out to Bluff’s Stirling Point where the elegant Land’s End hotel overlooks the cinematic seascapes of Foveaux Straight. The bijou property is the perfect antidote to big city burnout, with tasteful, well-appointed rooms and literally four metres away from some of the world’s most coveted seafood at the Oyster Cove restaurant next door.
A walk along the nearby headland will reward you with views straight out to Stewart Island, or tackle Bluff Hill and feel smug that you’ve burnt off at least as many calories as it will take you to scoff down another helping of blue cod and chips from the exceptional kai menu of Hayz at the Anchorage in Bluff.
The Lodges At Transport World
23 Anglem Street Hawthorndale, Invercargill, Southland
Image credit: The Lodges At Transport World | Supplied
One of the swankier options for self-catering stays in the city is The Lodges At Transport World. The six apartments are decked out in muted tones and tasteful furnishings, with splashes of Kiwiana and nods to favourite local pastimes throughout.
Just a stone’s throw from Transport World itself and only five minute's drive from Invercargill Central, this is a supremely comfy spot from which to explore the delights of Invers and further afield.
Each apartment has a cosy gas fire, luxury linens, eco-friendly toiletries and even straighteners for dodgy hairdo days. They’ve practically thought of everything, so you don’t have to.
The Lodge At Tikana
Thomsons Crossing, Southland
Image credit: The Lodge At Tikana | Airbnb
Straight from the pages of a storybook setting, The Lodge At Tikana looks every inch the residence of some grand wizard or kindly professor. Nestled in bucolic splendour amidst rolling pastures about 25 minutes from Invercargill, this one-of-a-kind property has all the charm and tasteful luxury of a historic home, but in fact, was purpose-built in 2003.
All bay windows, lime render and stone walls, the distinctive chocolate box cottage effect is only amplified inside, with two luxurious sleeping areas and a centrepiece open fire.
If all this romantic cosiness wasn’t enough, the piece de resistance has to be the two-person ensuite spa bath that commands views over the nearby countryside, complete with roaming herds of deer for extra fairytale appeal.
Mod Box
Invercargill, Southland
Image credit: Mod Box | Airbnb
If there was an Airbnb local leaderboard, sublime little Invercargill townhouse Mod Box would surely take out the top points. Fresh, modern and pleasingly colour-coordinated, Mod Box is pretty much what it says on the tin, but also surprisingly spacious with room for up to six guests between three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Warm and sunny, the house has a large outdoor deck ideal for sipping a few local brews or suit up in your plus fours and head over the road into the lush expanse of Queen’s Park for a hoon on the 18-hole golf course.
Ascot Park Hotel
Corner of Tay Street & Racecourse Road, Invercargill, Southland
Image credit: Ascot Park Hotel | ILT
One of the long-time legends of hospitality in the South, Ascot Park Hotel or ‘the Ascot’ as it’s affectionately known locally, has always been the place to go when you’re in the mood for something a little fancy.
While the sands of time may have dated the once en-vogue exterior, the rooms, suites and public areas have all been zhuzhed up in recent years with a bit of southern glam.
Go all in and soak up the classic hotel vibes by kicking back in the indoor swimming pool and hot tub, before heading to the in-house Emberz bar and eatery for a cheeky G&T.
Whare Manu Boutique Cottage
Omaui, Southland
Image credit: Whare Manu Boutique Cottage | Tim Shoultz Photography
Tucked away in the tiny hamlet of Omaui overlooking Foveaux Straight, sits the perfectly appointed and off-grid Whare Manu. This cute little cottage is where nature comes to you, with daily visits from local tui, bellbird and other avian characters regularly arriving on the deck in a colourful fanfare.
Bliss out in the two sunken outdoor baths gazing up into the abundance of southern stars or curl up by the toasty wood burner and watch the comings and goings of the tide over a glass of wine. Eat, sleep, chill, repeat.
Te Whare Poutama
Bluff, Southland
Image credit: Te Whare Poutama | Airbnb
Cute, interesting and downright adorable, pristinely kept art deco Airbnb house Te Whare Poutama in Bluff feels like a warm hug, full of light and wonderful homey touches.
Perched on the hill overlooking the port, it’s a lovely mix of modern conveniences and characterful accessories, complete with an impressive selection of books for reading in the sunroom and super comfy beds for snoozing in.
Southern Scenic Stargazer
Riverton, Southland
Image credit: Southern Scenic Stargazer | Airbnb
Back before tiny houses were fashionably mainstream, down south they were referred to as ‘cribs’, and this adorable little spot in Riverton is an OG.
Rustic and exceptionally well kitted out, it’s the perfect couples getaway, complete with an outdoor bath and tranquil rural surrounds, it's just a short wander to the quirky cafes and other scenic sights of Riverton proper.
A Taste Of Cape Cod
Riverton, Southland
Image credit: A Taste of Cape Cod | Airbnb
The southern township of Riverton has a strong Airbnb game, with a mix of quirky Kiwiana cribs and boujee boltholes, including an incredible Cape Cod-style house that oozes coastal chic.
With front-row views of the spectacular Southern Ocean and room for 13 people, this is the place to gather your crew for barefoot luxe weekends by the sea, kicking back with sundowners on the deck or cosying up in the immaculately styled interiors that would do Martha Stewart proud.
Pure Pods Stewart Island
Stewart Island, Southland
Image credit: Tokoeka PurePod | Facebook
Stays on Stewart Island deserve something a bit special and the clever Purepods team have answered the call with two bespoke properties, Tokoeka and Hananui, both immersed in gloriously remote surroundings.
The trademark glass cabins provide the ultimate theatre to watch nature unfold all around you, including the phenomenal night skies of the deep south and listening out for kiwi calls in the darkness.
You can bring your own refreshments or go all in and order tasty hampers of delicious local produce to whip up on the BBQ, where you can do your own version of the naked chef as there’s no one for miles around after all.
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Main image credit: The Church 1914 | Supplied
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