Hotels

Nelson isn't short of beds, but if you're visiting over the December-to-January period, you'll be competing with thousands of New Zealanders who descend upon the area. Book early! There is a wide range of accommodations -- including lots of smart B&Bs and excellent backpacker offerings -- and with one or two exceptions, most are incredibly well priced. The rates given below include 12.5% GST and free parking.

In Nelson

At Te Puna Wai Lodge, 24 Richardson St. (tel. 03/548-7621; www.tepunawai.co.nz), consummate hosts James Taylor and multilingual Richard Hewitson attend to every comfort. They offer two rooms and an apartment in a lovely 1857 home filled with antiques, art, and beautiful ocean views. Rooms range from NZ$195 to NZ$325, and the apartment NZ$325 to NZ$345. There's another unique stay at Warwick House, 64 Brougham St. (tel. 03/548-3164; www.warwickhouse.co.nz), where five rooms in a historic Victorian home go for NZ$295 to NZ$395. The Bayview Suite is the best of them.

Backpacker Beds -- Nelson is blessed with quality accommodations at affordable prices -- there are at least 10 backpacker establishments in the town. In addition to Paradiso, you'll find good value at Nelson City YHA, 59 Rutherford St. (tel. 03/545-9988; www.yha.co.nz); and the Green Monkey, 129 Milton St. (tel. 03/545-7421; www.thegreenmonkey.co.nz). Club Nelson, 18 Mount St. (tel. 03/548-3466; www.nelsonbackpackers.co.nz), is in a sunny, quiet street and a swimming pool is among its excellent facilities.

In Tahunanui-Richmond

Tahuna Beach Holiday Park, 70 Beach Rd., Tahunanui (tel. 0800/500-501 in NZ, or 03/548-5159; www.tahunabeachholidaypark.co.nz), is the largest motor camp in New Zealand, accommodating several thousand travelers a night during the summer months. It has motel units, tourist and standard cabins, and tent sites -- not to mention a fabulous atmosphere.

In Motueka/Mapua

Motueka township itself doesn't contain an abundance of nice accommodations, but outlying areas have rich pickings for those wanting a peaceful country stay. Bronte Country Estate, Bronte Road East, near Mapua (tel. 03/540-2422; www.brontelodge.co.nz), is one such place, with two luxury suites (NZ$520) and three villas ranging from NZ$650 to NZ$1,000. A lovely new discovery in this area is Neudorf Hall, 252 Neudorf Rd., Upper Moutere (tel. 03/543-2252; www.neudorfhall.co.nz), which is just a short stroll from nearby Neudorf Vineyard. They have two rooms for NZ$195 to NZ$295. A lovely vineyard stay is Ruby Bay Lodge and Vineyard, 271 Pomona Rd., Ruby Bay (tel. 03/540-3938; www.rubybayvineyard.co.nz), where a romantic two-bedroom cottage goes for NZ$375, and two lodge suites are NZ$450 (2-night minimum stay). At the top end of the market, Eden House, Orinoco Valley, Motueka (tel. 03/526-8174; www.edenhouse.co.nz), provides two top-quality suites for NZ$952, which includes dinner and breakfast. There are several vineyards close by and they're just 30 minutes from beautiful Abel Tasman National Park.

Inexpensive -- Bakers Lodge, 4 Poole St., Motueka (tel. 03/528-0102; www.bakerslodge.co.nz), has 75 beds in 17 rooms priced at NZ$23 for dorms and NZ$76 to NZ$145 for doubles and rooms with en-suite bathrooms. They employ sustainable practices like recycling and there is an organic vegetable garden for guests' use.