Must-see hotels in North Island

  • Orewa Motor Lodge

    North Auckland

    One of the motels lining Orewa’s main road, this refurbished complex has scrupulously clean wooden units prettied up with hanging flower baskets. There’s…

  • Peace & Plenty Inn

    Auckland

    Stocked with antiques, this perfectly located, five-star Victorian house has romantic and luxurious en-suite rooms with TVs, flowers, free sherry/port and…

  • Quest Carlaw Park

    Parnell & Newmarket

    It's in an odd spot, but this set of smart, modern apartments is handy for Parnell, the city and the Domain, and if you've got a car, you're practically…

  • Cotswold Cottage

    Coromandel Peninsula

    Looking over the river and racecourse, 3km southeast of town, this pretty villa features luxuriant linen and an outdoor spa pool. The comfy rooms all open…

  • DOC Otamure Bay Campsite

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    This scenic campsite is located near a sandy beach with plenty of shade from well-established pohutukawa trees. Expect cold showers, drinking water and…

  • Breakers

    Coromandel Peninsula

    Facing the marina on the Tairua approach to Whangamatā, this modern motel features an enticing swimming pool, and spa pools on the decks of the upstairs…

  • Green House

    Coromandel Peninsula

    Good old-fashioned hospitality with three smartly furnished rooms on offer. The property has been refurbished, and guests enjoy sea views and a rural…

  • Rosetown Motel

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    The older-style units at Rosetown have kitchens, new linen and TVs, and share a spa. A solid choice if you’re hankering for straight-up, small-town sleeps.

  • Bowentown Beach Holiday Park

    Coromandel Peninsula

    Having nabbed a stunning stretch of sand, this impressively maintained holiday park makes the most of it with first-rate motel units and camping…

  • Refinery

    Coromandel Peninsula

    Choose from either the Refinery Guard’s Cottage or the Miner’s Cabin – both options feature rustic but chic decor, dotted with savvy design touches.

  • Anglesea Motel

    Hamilton

    Generating great feedback from travellers, the Anglesea has plenty of space, friendly managers, a pool, squash and tennis courts, and not unstylish decor.

  • DOC Maitai Bay Campsite

    The Far North

    A large first-in, first-served (no bookings) camping ground at the peninsula's most beautiful beach, with flush toilets, drinking water and cold showers.

  • Wentworth Valley Campsite

    Coromandel Peninsula

    More upmarket than most DOC camping grounds, this campsite is accessed from the Wentworth Falls walk and has toilets, showers and gas barbecues.

  • Admiral’s View Lodge

    Bay of Islands

    This hillside lodge offers natty units with balconies just begging for a relaxed sunset gin and tonic. Some have spa baths and bay views.

  • DOC Trounson Kauri Park Campsite

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    A step up from most DOC campsites, this one has both powered and unpowered sites, and a communal kitchen, flush toilets and hot showers.

  • Oaklands Lodge

    Kingsland & Mt Eden

    In a leafy cul-de-sac, this bright, well-kept hostel is close to the cafes, bars and restaurants of Mt Eden village and to city buses.

  • Kawhia Motel

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    These six perkily painted, well-kept, old-school motel units are right next to the shops. Kayaks and bikes are available for hire.

  • Waldorf Stadium

    City Centre & Britomart

    This large newish block has spacious (if generic) family-friendly apartments with double-glazing to keep out the road noise.

  • DOC Rarawa Beach Campsite

    The Far North

    Simple DOC site with flush toilets and cold showers, located by a stream near the white sands of Rarawa Beach.

  • DOC Uretiti Campsite

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    At Uretiti, there is a DOC campsite with hot showers ($2) and stellar beach views amid rolling sand dunes.

  • Whangapoua Holiday Park

    Coromandel Peninsula

    This holiday park has cosy cabins and leafy campsites with well-maintained kitchen and ablution blocks.

  • Kuaotunu Bay Lodge

    Coromandel Peninsula

    An elegant B&B set among manicured gardens, offering a small set of spacious sea-gazing rooms.

  • Twin Rivers Motel

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    The 12 units at Twin Rivers are spick and span. Bigger units sleep up to seven.

  • Tongariro Family Holiday Park

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Conveniently situated for Alpine Crossing trampers and halfway along the highway between the start and finish points, this park is simultaneously in the…

  • Howard’s Lodge

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Howard has moved on, but he’s left his legacy in this large, freshly decorated lodge with spa, two comfortable lounges with supersized TVs, and spotless,…

  • Gisborne District Council

    East Cape

    The GDC operates a handful of designated 'summer camping' sites between Te Araroa and Gisborne from the end of September to early April. Apply for a…

  • Adventure Lodge & Motel

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    This place caters particularly to Tongariro Alpine Crossing trampers, offering accommodation and transfers, with all-inclusive packages available (two…

  • Extreme Backpackers

    Lake Taupo Region

    Crafted from native timber and corrugated iron, this modern backpackers' hostel has a sunny courtyard with tables and hammocks, a lounge with an open fire…

  • Mission Belle Motel

    Bay of Plenty

    This family-run motel sports a Spanish Mission–style exterior resembling something out of an old spaghetti-western movie. The interior is modern, with…

  • Pepper Tree Hostel

    Palmerston North

    Inexplicably strewn with green-painted, succulent-filled boots, this endearing 100-year-old house is the best budget option in town, with room for 35 bods…

  • All Seasons Kiwi Holiday Park

    Taupo

    A pleasant holiday park with corrugated-iron native birds scattered between well-established trees and hedgerows between sites. Also has a playground,…

  • Whakapapa Holiday Park

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    This popular park beside Whakapapanui Stream has a wide range of accommodation options, including campervan sites surrounded by beautiful beech forest …

  • Rock Solid Backpackers

    Rotorua

    Cavernous Rock Solid occupies a former shopping mall: you might be bunking down in a florist or a delicatessen. Dorms over the street are sunny, and there…

  • Sunflower Lodge

    New Plymouth

    Down a steep driveway a few minutes' drive south of town (en route to Mt Taranaki), the local YHA does its best to transcend its rest-home origins and…

  • The Royal

    Bay of Plenty

    Dorms are spartan and a bit reminiscent of school camp in this 1814 heritage-listed former pub, but most have only two or three beds and plonk you right…

  • Copthorne Hotel

    Palmerston North

    This corporate hotel is a comfortable and convenient base for exploring the city. More affordable standard rooms are in a separate building by the carpark…

  • Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat

    Coromandel Peninsula

    Located in Port Charles, Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat offers eight one- or two-bedroom self-contained wooden cottages, each pair sharing a barbecue. There’s a…

  • Grand Hotel

    Whanganui

    If you can’t face another soulless motel room, rooms at this stately old-school Whanganui survivor (built 1927) have a bit more personality. The…

  • Eco Lodge Pakowhai

    Hastings & Around

    The same family has tilled this land since 1885, but the attitude here is very forward-thinking. The talkative owner cuts carbon emissions with solar…

  • Bonnieux Cottage

    The Wairarapa

    Behind a lovingly tended garden, this sky-blue weatherboard cottage (with decor best described as 'cottagey') sleeps five in three bedrooms (two doubles,…