Unique accommodation is at its best in New Zealand. Kiwis are known for their creativity and ingenuity, after all. Below is a short roundup of some of the best – and most unusual – hotels in the country. Locking Up the Charm – Jailhouse, Christchurch Built in 1874, Jailhouse Accommodation, in Christchurch, has been a men’s prison, a women’s prison and a military camp. Decommissioned in 1999, it sat unused until 2006, when it was sentenced to life as a hostel. Many of the facility’s original features still remain – most of the rooms started life as jail cells. Tucking yourself in, you can just imagine the history of those who did time there. The 80-bed hostel contains numerous accommodation options, from dorms to a family room. Backpacker dorm beds start at $25 NZD (approx. $24 Cdn) per night. Going Against the Grain – SiloStay, Little River SiloStay is a striking addition to the landscape: metal silos, traditionally used to store grain, have been repurposed as accommodation and now loom above the hamlet of Little River, on Banks Peninsula, just south of Christchurch. The silos blend cutting-edge design and a commitment to the environment with a high-end accommodation you might not expect from the agricultural look of the complex. Prices start from $180 NZD (approx. $172 Cdn) per night. Watching Over the Water – The Lighthouse, Wellington Lighthouses are a beacon of safety and comfort for many. Being able to stay in one – that offers a distant view of New Zealand’s South Island just across the bay – is a shining example of a unique tourism opportunity. Located in the charming seaside neighbourhood of Island Bay (just 15 minutes from downtown Wellington), the Lighthouse prices start from $170 NZD (approx. $163 Cdn) per night.

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