10 Best Romantic Accommodation on Stewart Island© Sails Ashore Lodge
10 Best Romantic Accommodation on Stewart Island

10 Most Romantic Accommodations on Stewart Island ❤️ [2024]

© Sails Ashore Lodge

Where to Find Accommodation on Stewart Island for Couples

Set the tone right with a romantic place to stay on New Zealand’s less-visited third island; where your only neighbours are the local kaka and kiwi birds and the only dazzling lights are those of the night sky. Make your island getaway extra special by sharing it with your loved one in the following romantic accommodations on Stewart Island

For more trip-planning advice, check out The Romantic Getaway & Honeymoon Guide to Stewart Island and the 10 Romantic Things to Do on Stewart Island.

1. Anchorstone

Book yourselves into one of the romantic hill-perched units of Anchorstone, a boutique motel nestled in bush and just a short drive from Oban. Enjoy a quiet night in with your unit’s kitchen facilities, an ensuite, TV and a balcony with outdoor furniture for watching the sunset or stargazing in a Dark Sky Sanctuary. Each timber-constructed unit is also kitted out with a super-king bed. Transfers are included in your stay while car rental is available on request.

Check Anchorstone out:

10 Best Romantic Accommodation on Stewart Island© Anchorstone

2. Stewart Island Lodge

Set among verdant native gardens yet elevated enough to absorb the turquoise water views of Halfmoon Bay, Stewart Island Lodge offers a romantic stay for discerning travellers. Enjoy the views from your large private balcony where it’s common to meet friendly kaka (bush parrots). Meanwhile, the village centre of Oban is a mere stroll away to join more adventures around Stewart Island. Your stay also includes a continental breakfast each morning. See more upscale stays like this in the 5 Best Luxury Accommodations on Stewart Island.

Check Stewart Island Lodge out:

10 Best Romantic Accommodation on Stewart Island© Stewart Island Lodge

3. Church Hill Boutique Lodge & Restaurant

Another luxury lodge on Stewart Island, Church Hill Boutique Lodge & Restaurant offers three standalone suites with private elevated balconies either overlooking Halfmoon Bay, Oban’s fishing bay or kamahi forest. While all suites offer luxuries like a coffee machine, home baking and full glass frontage for soaking in the views, only one of the rooms has the exclusivity of a private wood-fired hot tub so you can soak under the stars with your loved one. For more boutique offerings, take a look at the 8 BEST Boutique Accommodations & B&Bs on Stewart Island.

Check Church Hill Boutique Lodge & Restaurant out:

10 Best Romantic Accommodation on Stewart Island© Church Hill Boutique Lodge & Restaurant

4. Ponga B&B

A homely bed and breakfast with just two guest rooms, Ponga B&B is well worth considering for couples seeking a boutique experience for a more affordable price. Far enough away from the hustle and bustle of day visitors yet close enough to enjoy the conveniences of Oban, this B&B accommodation is among a bush-clad residential street where, admittedly, the most common residents are the local kaka. The B&B is more affordable than most on Stewart Island, which also offers a generous continental breakfast each morning. Note that bathrooms are shared.

Check Ponga B&B out:

10 Best Romantic Accommodation on Stewart Island© Ponga B&B

5. Sails Ashore Lodge

Sails Ashore Lodge is not only an upmarket B&B on the quiet streets of Oban, but your hosts also offer small-group driving tours and Ulva Island tours. There are just two rooms available, each gorgeously presented with an ensuite boasting underfloor heating and a paua shell trim, as well as hot drink-making facilities accompanied by homebaked cookies. Stays also include a continental breakfast each morning at a time that suits you.

Check Sails Ashore Lodge out:

10 Best Romantic Accommodation on Stewart Island© Sails Ashore Lodge

6. Kowhai Lane Lodge

From the same hosts as Sails Ashore Lodge, Kowhai Lane Lodge offers a more casual lodge experience compared to its sister but is no less charming. The lodge consists of four well-presented double rooms with a private bathroom each, as well as a one-bedroom apartment ideal for a longer stay with private cooking facilities. Guests are welcome to relax in the homely living and dining area, spruce something up in the communal kitchen, and explore the landscaped gardens.

Check Kowhai Lane Lodge out:

10 Best Romantic Accommodation on Stewart Island© Kowhai Lane Lodge

7. Glendaruel Bed and Breakfast

With the village of Oban on one side and the Paterson Inlet with Ulva Island on the other, Glendaruel Bed and Breakfast is well-positioned to make the most of Stewart Island’s romantic activities. Not to mention, the position nearby the famous Observation Rock indicates the lush bush surroundings and just how good the views are. The interiors are a charming mix of the old and the new while offering many modern-day conveniences. Although there are limited cooking facilities, you can make use of the barbecue, enjoy meals arranged with your host, and indulge in an included breakfast each day.

Check Glendaruel Bed and Breakfast out:

10 Best Romantic Accommodation on Stewart Island© Glendaruel Bed and Breakfast

8. Bay Motel

Enjoy a bit of pampering in your studio or one-bedroom unit with a spa bath at the Bay Motel. Alternatively, stick to something more affordable in the studios with or without cooking facilities. All units include free WiFi, electric blankets, an ensuite, radiator heating, tea, coffee and either a bay or bush view. There’s also a barbecue on-site should you want to cook up your “catch of the day”. Plus, the motel is just a short walk from Oban town centre. For a different style of self-contained stay, also check out the 12 Best Holiday Homes on Stewart Island.

Check Bay Motel out:

10 Best Romantic Accommodation on Stewart Island© Bay Motel

9. Kaka Retreat Motel

Another endearing motel on Stewart Island, Kaka Retreat Motel is nestled in native bush just a 5 to 10-minute walk from Oban town centre. The queen studio units are enough for most couples, equipped with a small kitchenette featuring a microwave and fridge. You also have an open-plan lounge leading out to your private verandah. A complimentary shuttle to the motel is also included. See more accommodation like this in the 6 Best Motels in Stewart Island.

Check Kaka Retreat Motel out:

10 Best Romantic Accommodation on Stewart Island© Kaka Retreat Motel

10. South Sea Hotel

The waterfront hotel that greets visitors when they first arrive off the ferry offers budget accommodation, as well as units with ensuite bathrooms. Stay upstairs of the historic hotel to enjoy traditional but tasteful decor where shared bathrooms, breakfast-making facilities and a guest lounge with excellent views of Halfmoon Bay are available. Alternatively, the adjacent motel units offer a bit more privacy. See more accommodations like this in the 5 Best Budget Accommodations in Stewart Island.

Check South Sea Hotel out:

10 Best Romantic Accommodation on Stewart Island© South Sea Hotel

More About Romantic Accommodations on Stewart Island

That’s it for our list of the best romantic accommodations on Stewart Island. For more tips to help plan the perfect island excursion, check out the following guides:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Romantic Getaway & Honeymoon Guide to Stewart Island.

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:

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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