15 BEST Holiday Homes in Akaroa 🏡 [2024]

The Best Holiday Homes in Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula

After a day cruising around the Akaroa Harbour, going on a penguin safari, checking out the French town or hiking the trails, retreat to your own private space at one of Akaroa‘s holiday homes. From romantic luxury retreats to unique and unusual stays, there are holiday homes to suit an array of needs, tastes and group sizes. Choose from some of our favourites in this list of the best holiday homes in Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula.

For more advice on planning your getaway, check out The Complete Guide to Akaroa and the 15 Best Things to Do in Akaroa.

1. Mumfords

Perched on a hillside overlooking the bays, Mumfords is an idyllic retreat suitable for couples. The holiday home accommodation is just a short drive from Akaroa, set in 20 acres of gardens, native bush and inner-harbour coastline. The interior is stylishly decorated with a farm cottage feel, which spans across its open-plan kitchen, dining and living area to the bedroom with French doors opening out onto an extensive elevated deck.

Check Mumfords out:

Mumfords on Booking.com

15 BEST Holiday Homes in Akaroa 🏡 [2023]

2. Cherrywood Cottage

Nestled in native bush on the outskirts of Akaroa, Cherrywood Cottage not only captures tranquillity but spectacular Akaroa Harbour views. The two-bedroom holiday home offers many spaces to unwind between the spa bath and gorgeous gardens. You’ll settle in with ease thanks to the breakfast supplies at hand, as well as the luxury mattress toppers and plush bedspreads supplied in each bedroom – all for a very irresistible price. Discover more stays ideal for families in the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Akaroa.

Check Cherrywood Cottage out:

Cherrywood Cottage on Booking.com

10 Best Holiday Homes in Akaroa 🏡 [2023]

3. Kanuka Cottage

This two-bedroom cottage is an enticing prospect for families, featuring a room with a queen bed and another with two singles. The tranquil retreat, just a short drive from the town centre, boasts fresh and elegant decor, a kitchen with hobs and a dishwasher, and an extensive deck leading out to lush gardens. You have laundry facilities at your disposal, as well as a log burner for those chilly winter evenings. The elevated views of the harbour are another bonus!

Check Kanuka Cottage out:

Kanuka Cottage on Booking.com

4. Love Akaroa Retreat

A no-brainer for couples looking for a romantic escape, Love Akaroa Retreat is another extraordinary holiday home boasting upscale features. The one-bedroom abode is located on the hillside overlooking native bush and the ocean. Each room is tastefully furnished and thought out, such as the large open-plan kitchen and lounge spilling onto a private terrace with an outdoor bathtub. See more couple-centric stays like this in the 10 Most Romantic Accommodations in Akaroa.

Check Love Akaroa Retreat out:

Love Akaroa Retreat on Booking.com

5. Historic Shipping Office Akaroa

For something extra special, retreat to the “Old Shipping Office” which is mere footsteps from Akaroa’s main wharf and has an array of dining opportunities. This historic building has been lovingly renovated to include two bedrooms with double beds, a spa bath, a cosy gas fire and a functional kitchenette all without disrupting the stylish historical ambience of the place. For more self-contained stays like this, check out the 10 Best Self-Contained Accommodations in Akaroa.

Check Historic Shipping Office Akaroa out:

6. Le Loft

A standalone unit in a local back garden, Le Loft is a peaceful and affordable hideaway for one or two guests. The small holiday home is located along a quiet street yet close enough to town for easy access to dining, which you’ll need as the only cooking facilities available are the barbecue and breakfast-making facilities. The cute unit is well-appointed with a queen bed and seating area, also with complimentary tea and coffee. See more affordable stays like this in the 8 Best Budget Accommodations in Akaroa.

Check Le Loft out:

7. Akaroa Cottages (Tranquil Family Retreat)

This out-of-town family holiday home nestled on the hillside overlooking the Akaroa Harbour is the ultimate retreat. Akaroa Cottages (Tranquil Family Retreat) is a three-bedroom holiday home with all of the mod-cons, including a dishwasher, coffee machine, free WiFi, TV and more. The home is especially well set up for families with one of the rooms featuring one single and two bunk beds, while board games and an extensive garden ensure there’s never a dull moment.

Check Akaroa Cottages out:

Akaroa Cottages on Booking.com

8. The Boathouse

A holiday home with a difference, The Boathouse not only boasts contemporary interiors with a magnificent circular window but has the harbour views worthy of this design choice. This couples’ retreat is only a short walk from the town centre, yet offers plenty of reasons to want to relax in its easy living design. Enjoy tasteful artwork and furnishings tidily displayed throughout the open-plan studio complete with a kitchen, a lounge with a TV featuring streaming services, and a sunny deck to soak in more of those marvellous views.

Check The Boathouse out:

9. Kotare Point Paradise

Got a larger group? Kotare Point Paradise might just be the holiday home you need to let the stress melt away at a stunning location near Akaroa. This modern three-bedroom two-bathroom house sleeps up to six guests and boasts floor-to-ceiling windows to soak in the views of Takamatua Bay. Enjoy an al fresco dinner on the patio with a barbecue or take it inside to the sociable open-plan layout with a breakfast bar and coffee machine.

Check Kotare Point Paradise out:

10. Bellbird Bach

Wake up to a chorus of birdsong at this two-bedroom holiday home perched on the Akaroa back hills. If the innovative architecture of the Bellbird Bach is not enough to wow you, then perhaps the secluded wood-fired hot tub on the property will! In summer, relax on the deck with a barbecue and your tunes on the Bluetooth sound system, while in winter you can snuggle by the fire. Check out more like this in the 10 Best Luxury Accommodations in Akaroa.

Check Bellbird Bach out:

Bellbird Bach on Booking.com

11. La Voyageur Apartments

For a central stay in Akaroa, consider La Voyageur Apartments. Perfect for couples and families, the holiday apartments feature either one or two bedrooms with queen beds and two singles. While the accommodation doesn’t feature an outside area, you can enjoy relaxing in the lounge with large bay windows offering partial harbour views. Make use of the well-equipped kitchen with tea and coffee provided, but with such close proximity to the town’s eateries, it’s common for the kitchen to go untouched!

Check La Voyageur Apartments out:

12. Akaroa Coastal Cottage

Akaroa Coastal Cottage is ideal for families or a group of friends travelling together. The elevated cottage amidst native bush and boasting glorious harbour views sleeps up to six people. It’s a place to embrace nature when waking up to the sound of birds and spotting dolphins from the deck. You have all your homely appliances here, including a full kitchen and barbecue, a large bath, a heat pump, free WiFi and Sky TV.

13. Number One Archdalls, Robinson Bay

Kick back in the spa pool and watch the sunset from the elevated position of Number One Archdalls in Robinson Bay. The holiday home accommodates four guests across two bedrooms and two separate bathrooms. The high-ceiling open-plan living and kitchen area boasts modern amenities, such as a dishwasher, coffee machine, smart TV and free WiFi.

Check Number One Archdalls out on Airbnb.

14. The Lighthouse

One of the most affordable holiday homes in Akaroa is the studio accommodation of The Lighthouse. The easy-to-find accommodation sits atop Akaroa township with unbeatable views of the harbour. Stay in the freshly designed and decorated studio-for-two with an elevated deck overlooking the harbour and nestled in gardens.

Check The Lighthouse out on Airbnb.

15. Laneside Cottage

Laneside Cottage offers a cute and colourful stay for up to two guests. The private holiday home contains a kitchenette with drink-making supplies provided, as well as an ensuite. Enjoy the harbour views between the trees from your bedroom window or the deck. Indulge in the spa bath and keep cosy with the log burner and firewood provided. See more accommodation like this in the 10 Best Romantic Accommodations in Akaroa.

Check Laneside Cottage out on Airbnb.

More About Holiday Homes in Akaroa

That’s it for our list of the best holiday homes in Akaroa but by no means the end of our travel tips! Check out the following guides for more experiences and stays in Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula.

Finally, plan more of your trip around the South Island using the South Island in 2 Weeks: Road Trip Itinerary and New Zealand in 3 Weeks: Road Trip Itinerary.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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