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 $22 (Picton) in the last 3 days. The average price is $198.
In the last 72 hours, users have found South Island hotels for tonight for as low as $63 (Invercargill). Users have also found 3-star hotels from $63 (Invercargill) and 4-star+ hotels from $112 (Invercargill).
In the last 72 hours, users have found South Island hotels for this weekend for as low as $91 (Queenstown) per night. Users have also found 3-star hotels from $105 (Queenstown) and 4-star+ hotels from $135 (Queenstown).