Luxury Holidays, Accommodation and Experiences

Working together to promote the best of New Zealand

The New Zealand Association of Boutique Travel Operators

Heritage & Character Inns, was incorporated in 1995 as New Zealand's premier group of personally hosted luxury accommodation located in historic homes, quaint cottages and small character lodges in every corner of the country. The hallmark was generous hospitality given graciously in luxurious surroundings, and fine food to make stays an experience to treasure.  Each of the Inns was specially selected and inspected to ensure guests enjoy the highest standards.

In 2012, two Lodge owners, Clare de Carteret-Bisson (owner of Nelson's The Resurgence luxury eco-lodge) and Meg Pawson-Taylor (owner of Wanaka's Riverrun Lodge) saw a need for a new kind of collection for discerning travellers who are looking for a very individual style of luxury.  They started Green Journeys which quickly grew to around 100 members, and for the first time represented both accommodations and activities, linked by itineraries.

In 2021, the two groups decided to join forces to create a single grouping, The New Zealand Association of Boutique Travel Operators, truely representing all the operators providing accommodation and activities for discerning travellers looking for experiential, sustainable travel. We share our Collection with you under the brand BoutiqueTravel.nz

Our Collection represents quintessential New Zealand; working farms, wild west coast beaches, pristine lakes, alpine valleys, bush-clad hillsides, gorgeous beaches and rivers and boutique city accommodation. More than half your holiday is spent at your accommodation, and part of the enjoyment of your trip will be in the different architectural designs and individual styles you encounter on your travels. Your hosts are expert at sharing their local knowledge and organising the best local activities, sights, tastes and guides for you.

We work closely with the Travel Trade to ensure Boutique New Zealand products are visible to retail travel agents through to inbound tour operators so that FIT couples visiting New Zealand have the best choice of authentic experiences available.