BEST VIEWED IN LANDSCAPE MODE ON MOBILE DEVICES
U.S.FTC GUIDELINES PLEASE NOTE: we act as an affiliate for several companies that feature on our website. In some cases we may earn a commission from referrals to those companies. For further information please refer to our Privacy and Disclaimer policies which can be found in the "US" tab.
U.S.FTC GUIDELINES PLEASE NOTE: we act as an affiliate for several companies that feature on our website. In some cases we may earn a commission from referrals to those companies. For further information please refer to our Privacy and Disclaimer policies which can be found in the "US" tab.
We can help you find your perfect New Zealand Accommodation
New Zealand is a visually stunning country, and there are few things more enjoyable than sitting on the deck of your holiday accommodation, sipping a local beer or wine, and taking in the spectacular sights that are so common here.
And carefully choosing the right place to stay can be the difference between a good and a bad holiday.
Our partnership with Booking.com
So that's why we've partnered with Booking.com.
Their customer reviews on hotels, apartments, backpacker lodges, and B & B's can be an invaluable tool to help you choose the perfect accommodation to suit your needs and budget.
On this page
There's lots of information on this page, so to make it easy for you to find what you are looking for, just follow the quick links below.
When you've finished just click your browsers "Back" button to return here.
* Search for accommodation New Zealand wide * Search for accommodation in the major centers |
* Helpful tips for choosing the right accommodation * Find accommodation near the main airports |
Search all of New Zealand
To search for accommodation anywhere in New Zealand please use the search box below.
Don't forget to do your research when choosing your accommodation. Customer reviews are a good place to start.
Quick accommodation links for the major centers
North Island |
South Island |
Airport accommodation
For accommodation close to the major airports, just click on the links below:
North Island Airports Auckland airport accommodation Wellington airport accommodation Hamilton airport accommodation Palmerston North airport accommodation |
South Island Airports Christchurch airport accommodation Dunedin airport accommodation Queenstown airport accommodation Nelson airport accommodation |
Tip - when you reach the results page you can then sort your results by "Distance from airport", "Price", "Score", or "Stars".
A few favorites of ours
During our travels we've stayed at countless hotels, motels, and apartments around New Zealand.
We can honestly say that we have never found a bad one (perhaps we've been lucky), but we have certainly found some very special spots to stay.
None of our favorites are "top end". Most are mid-range, but of course in the peak periods, like anywhere, prices can rise.
Chosen for their location, value, cleanliness and features, here are a few that we love, and that we hope you will too:
Our South Island picks
Name: Anchor Inn Beachfront Motel Location: 208 The Esplanade Kaikoura, North East coast, South Island Phone: +64 3 319 5426 Description: Award winning modern motel, across the road from the beach Features: Almost waterfront location, range of rooms, wifi, continental breakfast Comments: Winners of the prestigious 2023 TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice Best of the Best award (Top 1% of all listings). We love this place. We always choose the 2 Bedroom Ocean View which has one of the upstairs bedrooms looking over the ocean. Modern, clean rooms, and the views (make sure you ask for ocean view) are unbeatable. Around 2 minutes drive to center of town. Kitchen in unit. Ask Lyn and Paul to book you in for dinner at the Pier Hotel. Beautiful meals. |
For the best price, call Lyn direct on +64 3 319 5426 and mention the code word SHOWCASE. |
Name: Punakaiki Resort Location: Punakaiki, West Coast, South Island Description: Beachfront motel offering stunning views over the ocean Features: On-site restaurant and bar with ocean views, room service and laundry Comments: A lovely place to unwind and break up your journey down the West Coast. We usually stay in the Standard Sea View rooms. Love the restaurant for romantic dinners watching the sun set over the ocean. 300 meters South of the Pancake Rocks and blowholes |
Name: Alpine Glacier Motel Location: Franz Josef Village, West Coast, South Island Description: Qualmark awarded mid range motel in central village location Features: Tour desk, laundry, kitchenettes in most units
We love the Spa Studio units. The hot spa was just the thing after our glacier walk. The high ceilings add a feeling of space and the kitchenette meant we could cook a full breakfast before heading off for the day. The views of the snow capped peaks from our deck were an added bonus. Around 100 meters to cafes, bars and restaurants. Tip - try the meals at "The Landing". |
|
Name: Heritage Christchurch Location: Central Christchurch, South Island Description: Opened in 1913 and listed on the Historic Places Trust Register Features: Health Club, lap pool, jacuzzi and sauna, wifi, restaurant, dry cleaning and tour desk
From the moment you enter you will be impressed by the grandeur of this hotel. Incredibly high ceilings, and lots of old world charm. Our fully self-contained One Bedroom Suite was very spacious with upstairs bedroom and bathroom. The full kitchen was great on our two night stay. Located right in the Christchurch CBD. |
|
Name: Pepper's Beacon Location: Queenstown, South Island Description: Modern multi-level chain motel, across the road from Lake Wakatipu Features: BBQ, sauna, spa, gym, laundry, concierge, child minding With everything from hotel rooms to penthouse apartments, this is a great place to stay. We always book a lake view apartment - the views over Lake Wakatipu are unbelievable. Love the full kitchen, gas fireplace and the short, level, three minute walk to the town center. |
Name: The Moorings Location: Wanaka, South Island Description: Modern lakefront motel with motel rooms and apartments Features: Motel rooms - balconies/patios for awesome views. Under floor heating, SKY TV, kitchenette. Apartments offer full kitchen, lake glimpses, separate bedrooms, outdoor decks, SKY TV Comments:
Nice clean, modern rooms. Elevated position looking directly over Lake Wanaka towards Mt Aspiring National Park. A two minute walk to the town center. Love the heated floors! |
Name: The Hermitage Location: Mt Cook Village, South Island Description: Large resort located in heart of village looking over alps and towards Mt Cook Features: Range of room types, several bars and restaurants, the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center, Digital Planetarium, conference facilities Comments: Our last room was on the 7th floor of the tower. As often happens here, a blizzard hit and we sat and watched the "whiteout" before the sun cleared to reveal Mt Cook in all of its glory. We spent an hour or so wandering through the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center, which documents the history of alpine exploration, then were dazzled by the display at the planetarium. We finished the day with drinks in the bar, then an amazing buffet dinner, looking out towards Mt Cook. Tip - if you are there from early September to late May, take the Glacier Explorers tour to see icebergs on the terminal lake of Tasman Glacier. |
|
North Island - some of our favorites
Name: Ohope Beach Resort Location: Ohope, near Whakatane Description: Beachside resort with two towers offering amazing coastal views Features: several pools, spas, gym, underground parking. Comments: One of our favorite North Island spots. We recommend a penthouse in the Ocean Tower. Ours had stunning views over the ocean and the harbour. Very spacious and fully self contained including kitchen and laundry. Large outdoor decks. This quiet seaside village is around 10 minutes drive from the town of Whakatane, and we could happily spend a week or more here. |
Name: One Burgess Hill Location: New Plymouth Description: Beautiful suites overlooking river in park like setting Features: A range of suite types, gymnasium and onsite laundry Comments: This one was a real surprise. It feels very isolated from the hustle and bustle of the town center, yet it's only 10 minute drive from town. A long winding driveway leads you under native ferns through rolling, park like grounds. The sound of the river can be heard in the distance. There's a range of suite types and we chose a studio with spa bath overlooking the river. Ours had a large, comfy bed, and a small, well equipped kitchen. Tip - buy some fresh New Zealand mussels from Pak N Save, cook them in some white wine, and have them on the lawn overlooking the river. Stunning views and a restful sleep listening to the rapids below. Good value and highly recommended. |
Name: Copthorne Oriental Bay Location: Wellington, North Island Description: Large multi level chain motel overlooking Oriental Bay Features:
Over 100 rooms, indoor heated pool, conference facilities, restaurant, bar and room service Comments:
Beautiful location overlooking Wellington Harbor (be sure to book a harbor view). Our family room had a balcony with views directly over the bay. Close to the city center, lots of nice restaurants along the bay, and a great harbor side walk. Tip - a visit to New Zealand's National museum, Te Papa, is a must if you are in Wellington. We spent several hours there - fascinating place. |
|
Name: Rydges Auckland Location: Auckland, North Island Description: Full service multi level chain motel in central Auckland Features:
Over 200 rooms, restaurant and bar, conference facilities, gym, free wifi, room service Comments: Located in central Auckland close to Viaduct Harbor and SKYCity. Nice modern rooms, some with harbor views and views of SkyTower. We found this a great location to base ourselves in whilst we explored the city. Tip - a visit to SKYTower is highly recommended. The views just go on forever. And if you are feeling adventurous, the SKYWalk takes you on an external ledge, 630 feet above Auckland! |
Name: Baycrest Lodge Location: Taupo, North Island Description: Motel with views directly over Lake Taupo Features:
Heated outdoor pool, king size beds, underfloor heating, some rooms with own thermal tub. SKY TV. Breakfast available. Conference facilities. Comments: Located just 100 meters from the edge of New Zealand's largest lake, we loved the views, modern clean rooms, and the wonderful heated pool. Tip - make sure you go to Huka Falls. We couldn't believe how much water flows over there. The jetboat ride is an awesome way to see the falls. |
Name: Novotel Rotorua Lakeside Location: Rotorua, North Island Description: Large resort style hotel with views directly over Lake Rotorua Features:
Heated indoor pool, gym, spa, sauna, restaurant and bar, room service, conference
facilities. Comments:
Located just meters from the edge of Lake Rotorua, we
loved the views from the large picture window in our room. Large, clean, modern rooms, and an amazing indoor heated pool. Tip - so much to do here in Rotorua. Check out our Rotorua page for suggestions here. |
|
Name: Shoreline Motel Location: Napier, North Island Description: Ocean front motel Features:
Wifi, SKY TV, laundry, full cooked breakfast, spa pools. Comments: Located only two minutes walk from the town center, it's a great mid range motel. Beautiful ocean views and across the road from the beach. The National Aquarium of New Zealand is also a short two minute walk. Tip - if you like your wine, a winery tour is a must. You can check them out here. |
* Cost - is your chosen New Zealand accommodation within your budget? Remember that you only have a certain amount of money to spend, so be careful to stay within your budget.
Handy Tip - if you need help to calculate your New Zealand holiday costs, we have a handy "Travel Budgeting" calculator that you can use.
We've installed the calculator as part of our Travel Planner and you can access it here.
* Location - how close is your New Zealand accommodation to necessary services, attractions, restaurants, supermarkets etc. If your aim is to have a relaxing holiday, then you probably don't want to be hopping into the car for a drive to town every time you need something. Verify the location of your accommodation and satisfy yourself that it suits your holiday needs.
* If you are flying in or out of New Zealand, is it better to have accommodation near the airport, and if so, do they offer a shuttle service?
* If you are going to hire a rental car or camper van, will the rental company deliver it to your accommodation, or pick you up and take you back to their depot? Or will you need to make your own way there (that could prove costly).
* Facilities - what facilities does your New Zealand accommodation have,
and how does it compare with similar accommodation? Do you want a
kitchen and laundry in your accommodation? Do you need a gym? Perhaps
access to the internet is important. What about a tour desk to book
tours for you? Or under cover parking, or private bathroom facilities?
Are meals available on site? Can you get cash onsite if needed?
* Reputation - does your New Zealand accommodation have a good reputation? Can you see testimonials or reviews from previous customers? When you search using our links, you can read reviews from previous customers of each hotel.
* Also find out what the cancellation policy is just in case there are problems. Do you lose all or part of any deposit? Does your travel insurance cover any losses?
* It is also wise to check the availability of your New Zealand
accommodation in peak times, such as the snow season and school
holidays.
Click here to check
New Zealand School Holiday dates.
Has our New Zealand accommodation information been helpful?
We hope that this New Zealand accommodation information has been helpful
to you (and if you think it may be helpful to others please "pay it
forward" and share this page using the links at the top of the page).
Please take the time to explore the various New Zealand accommodation
links on this page. We know that you will find something to suit your
needs.
New Zealand Accommodation Top of Page