Tauranga
Spruced up with splashes of lime-green paint, slat-style beds and smart TVs, this sweet, old-style motel is in a central but leafy and quiet location near…
Must-see hotels in Rotorua & the Bay of Plenty
Bay of Plenty
Spread across three grassy tiers nooked into the foot of Mauao, this council-run park commands the best position in town. Plus it’s right next to the…
Rotorua
Looking down on Rotorua from the slopes of Mt Ngongotaha, this upmarket lodge has three en-suite B&B rooms in the main house, a self-contained apartment…
Rotorua
The friendly Vic has seen a lot of competitors come and go, maintaining its foothold in the market with individual-feeling units with shallow thermally…
Bay of Plenty
Sprawling atop the dunes, this holiday park is a spotless, modern complex, primed and priced beyond its caravan-park origins, with luxurious self…
Bay of Plenty
With its angular corrugated-iron exterior, this upmarket motel offers an immaculate version of the Kiwi bach (beach house) holiday, relaxed and close to…
Bay of Plenty
This immaculate complex includes a vaguely Tuscan-looking main block, a 'micro-village' of stylish corrugated-iron cabins, and B&B rooms in a charming…
Tauranga
Gathered around a small kidney-shaped swimming pool and hot tub, this lovingly maintained motel has sparkling units with kitchens, trimmed with hanging…
Tauranga
The spacious rooms here (all with either a terrace or a balcony) have king-sized beds and full kitchens. A swimming pool, free wi-fi and secure…
Bay of Plenty
It's a bit of a hike into town, but this spotless, ranch-style motel is the pick of the half-dozen dotted along Landing Rd. Expect spacious, well-kept…
Tauranga
With a winning location just 100m from the Whart St dining precinct, and yet remarkably quiet and neat as a pin, this lemon-yellow motor inn has a spa…
Bay of Plenty
Aquarius consists of a series of small blocks of units spreading back from the main road towards the beach (no need for a swimming pool). Rooms are simple…
Rotorua & the Bay of Plenty
Encased by bush on the shores of gorgeous Lake Tikitapu (aka Blue Lake), this simple but well-run holiday park has seven types of cabins and motel units,…
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…
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…
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…
Bay of Plenty
On the serene side of town, with sparkling views over the river mouth, this homely self-contained unit is perfect if you're hanging around for a few days …
Bay of Plenty
This paddock-like riverfront park in a quiet suburban spot has only two large trees to shade campers from the sun, but it’s a lovely walk along the river…
Rotorua
Things get more active than a geothermal field at this huge hostel that's ever popular with partying backpackers, especially when nights get flowing at…
Rotorua & the Bay of Plenty
This simple campsite is located on the shores of Lake Tarawera and can only be reached by the Tarawera Trail or by water taxi from the Landing. Book…
Tauranga
The layout at this harbourside holiday park feels a bit tight (don't expect rolling acres), but it’s well maintained, clean and tidy, and offers the…
Bay of Plenty
If location is paramount, this hostel at the epicentre of town – five minutes' walk to the beach, Astrolabe Brewbar right across the road – is prime…
Bay of Plenty
Surrounded by chirruping birds and kiwifruit orchards, this serene, self-contained cottage has two bedrooms, a barbecue and a brilliant outdoor spa from…
Tauranga
This hotel is what passes for a futuristic high-rise in Tauranga, meaning every player wins a prize: harbour view or city view. It’s slick rather than…
Tauranga
Plumb in the centre of the action, this sociable hostel (a former hotel) sits directly above the Strand’s bars and restaurants. Rooms are smallish but you…
Bay of Plenty
Occupying a 19th-century wooden house, this central hostel is a snug spot with spacious rooms, a crackling fire and a lush garden to hang out in. There's…
Bay of Plenty
This lovely old art-deco pub has basic but decent rooms upstairs. It's what you'd expect from pub accommodation of its era: rooms have high ceilings, many…
Bay of Plenty
This hostel occupies a converted funeral parlour, so a restful sleep is on the cards. Rooms range from serviceable dorms to a couple of private en-suite…
Rotorua
With its Italian-inspired architecture and pointy conifers, this family-owned eye-catcher pitches itself at both corporate and leisure travellers, all of…
Rotorua
Even if you are 6ft 3in, Astray – a 'micro-motel' that would probably be more at home in Tokyo than Rotorua – is a decent budget bet. Clean, tidy, quiet,…
Rotorua
Hanging baskets and plastic flowers ahoy! This modest place has a pool and a hot tub, and small kitchenettes in all of the functional units. It's away…
Rotorua
The larger rooms at this older motel feature courtyard spas and facilities for travellers with disabilities. Rooms close to the street can be a tad noisy…
Bay of Plenty
This compact, spartan camping ground has a sociable feel, with barbecues, a playground and a games room. It's handy for the beach, too (access is via a…
Bay of Plenty
Bright, clean Eastland is a well-kept motel with units that are simple but pleasantly kitted out. Some have spa baths and, at $175, the two-bedroom units…
Bay of Plenty
This simple motel offers neat rooms with CD players, kitchenettes and a heated pool. The namesake views extend over the back fence.
Rotorua & the Bay of Plenty
Simple camping on the eastern shore of Lake Tarawera, at the point where the Tarawera River pours from the lake.
Rotorua & the Bay of Plenty
A simple conservation campsite with minimal facilities on the shores of Lake Okareka.
DOC Rerewhakaaitu, Ash Pit Road Campsite
Rotorua & the Bay of Plenty
Basic camping with few facilities on the shores of Lake Rerewhakaaitu.
DOC Rerewhakaaitu, Brett Road Campsite
Rotorua & the Bay of Plenty
Simple camping with few frills on the shores of Lake Rerewhakaaitu.
