Find Hotels on the River in South Island

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Check prices for these dates

Tonight
Nov 8 - Nov 9
Tomorrow
Nov 9 - Nov 10
Next weekend
Nov 13 - Nov 15
In two weeks
Nov 20 - Nov 22

Our top choices for South Island hotels with a river view

A modern bathroom with a wooden bathtub, a wooden shelf with towels, and a view of mountains and a lake.

1. Kamana Lakehouse

Kamana Lakehouse
4.5 star property
Fernhill
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (703 reviews)
"Nice place to relax and stay"
United States
Mingjun
$251 nightly
The price is $289
Dec 1 - Dec 2
Total with taxes and fees
Kamana Lakehouse
A rustic garden with a stone building, wooden benches, and a gravel path.

2. Cardrona Hotel

Cardrona Hotel
3.0 star property
Cardrona
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (844 reviews)
"A beautiful historic hotel. Lovely done out rooms and a great stay for us. We really enjoyed our time here and it was a relaxing and pleasant experience."
United Kingdom
Stephen
$88 nightly
The price is $101
Dec 9 - Dec 10
Total with taxes and fees
Cardrona Hotel
A riverside hotel with modern architecture, a walking path, and a view of mountains.

3. Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa

Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa
5.0 star property
Kawarau Falls
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, (1,001 reviews)
"Absolutely loved the breakfast daily, fresh food, great variety and the staff were all so lovely and helpful. Rooms were cleaned well and beds made daily with fresh towels. Great location by the lake."
Australia
Kacie
$188 nightly
The price is $216
Dec 3 - Dec 4
Total with taxes and fees
Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa
An outdoor seating area with wooden benches and cushions, a glass wall, and string lights.

4. Sudima Queenstown Five Mile

Sudima Queenstown Five Mile
4.5 star property
Frankton
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (907 reviews)
"Great place to stay and very friendly staff!"
Australia
Caroline
$144 nightly
The price is $165
Dec 7 - Dec 8
Total with taxes and fees
Sudima Queenstown Five Mile
A modern building with large windows and a stone pathway leading to it, situated on a pebbled beach with driftwood in the foreground.

5. Scenic Hotel Punakaiki

Scenic Hotel Punakaiki
4.0 star property
Punakaiki
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (872 reviews)
"Great location, very helpful staff and great view of the sunset. Beds were comfortable. Great stay"
Canada
Evan
$101 nightly
The price is $116
Nov 22 - Nov 23
Total with taxes and fees
Scenic Hotel Punakaiki
A large wooden house with a stone wall and a pond in front.

6. Millbrook Resort

Millbrook Resort
5.0 star property
Arrowtown
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (784 reviews)
"Space to walk, restaurants, gym and pool. Lovely environment"
Australia
Peter
$307 nightly
The price is $354
Dec 9 - Dec 10
Total with taxes and fees
Millbrook Resort
A balcony with a glass railing overlooking the sea, two pine trees, and a white table with chairs.

7. Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments

Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments
3.0 star property
Kaikoura
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (659 reviews)
"Immaculate accomodation with friendly staff."
Australia
Iain
$114 nightly
The price is $131
Dec 9 - Dec 10
Total with taxes and fees
Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments
An outdoor patio with wooden tables and chairs, umbrellas, and a view of the sunset over the ocean.

8. Beachfront Hotel

Beachfront Hotel
3.5 star property
Hokitika
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (1,001 reviews)
"Lovely, spacious room with a fabulous ocean view. Staff are friendly & helpful. Meals in the restaurant are tasty & plentiful. Everything in town is within easy walking distance."
Australia
Elizabeth
$81 nightly
The price is $93
Nov 9 - Nov 10
Total with taxes and fees
Beachfront Hotel
A lodge with a prominent mountain backdrop, a large entrance, and solar panels on the roof.

9. Alpine Lodge

Alpine Lodge
3.5 star property
St. Arnaud
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (504 reviews)
"Great location very friendly staff and awesome pizza available at the restaurant"
Australia
andrew
$67 nightly
The price is $77
Dec 3 - Dec 4
Total with taxes and fees
Alpine Lodge
A modern bar area with seating, a counter with a logo, and a view of the outside.

10. Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park by IHG

Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park by IHG
4.5 star property
Frankton
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (779 reviews)
"Great stay!"
Australia
Isaac
$138 nightly
The price is $159
Dec 4 - Dec 5
Total with taxes and fees
Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
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Top South Island Hotel Reviews

Exterior
Suncrest Villas

Suncrest Villas

Suncrest Villas
Cromwell

10/10 Excellent

Clean, modern, in a fruit orchard. We were there early spring so no fruit available. This was a last minute booking and we were stunned by the place!
United States
Linda
Reviewed October 1, 2026
Suncrest Villas

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do hotels with a river view in South Island cost?

Hotels with river views in South Island range from $52 to $758 per night. Whether you're chasing adventure or just want to enjoy wonderful views, Expedia has waterside getaways at a price that won't stretch the budget. These prices were available on Expedia within the past 7 days, for a hotel booking with a check-in date within the next year. Prices reflect current offers and availability is subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

How many hotels with river views are there in South Island?

You can select from 14 hotels with river views in South Island. Whether you just want to enjoy the pretty vistas or seek out new adventures, Expedia will help you find the ideal waterside getaway.

How can I find cheap hotels with river views in South Island?

An excellent way to track down cheap hotels with river views in South Island is with Expedia's easy-to-use filter tool. Refine your search results by star rating and budget to access awesome prices in a few clicks. You can also search for your dream riverside escape based on popular locations, neighborhoods and more.

What is there to do in South Island near my hotel with river views?

No matter your interests, there are so many things to keep you entertained in South Island. If you're making your way to Christchurch, you'll want to check out Canterbury Museum, Isaac Theatre Royal and Transitional Cathedral. Planning an escape in Dunedin? St. Clair Beach, Speight's Brewery and St. Paul's Cathedral are some major attractions in this city.