Let KAYAK do the searching
Based on KAYAK hotel searches, the most popular destination is Queenstown (65% of total searches to South Island). The next most popular destinations are Christchurch (25%) and Wanaka (5%). Searches for hotels in Te Anau (4%) are also popular.
KAYAK users have found double rooms in South Island for as cheap as $19 (Dunedin) in the last 3 days. The average price is $344.
In the last 72 hours, users have found South Island hotels for tonight for as low as $37 (Lake Tekapo). Users have also found 3-star hotels from $54 (Lake Tekapo) and 4-star+ hotels from $62 (Dunedin).
In the last 72 hours, users have found South Island hotels for this weekend for as low as $126 (Queenstown) per night. Users have also found 3-star hotels from $126 (Queenstown) and 4-star+ hotels from $171 (Queenstown).