Wellington hotels and accommodation
Finding the ideal home away from home is essential to enjoying your Wellington adventure. So we've partnered with Expedia, one of the world's biggest booking engines, to help you locate and book the ideal Wellington hotel or any style of accommodation you might fancy for your trip. Take the pain out of the planning and let Air New Zealand be your one-stop shop for transport, accommodation, insurance, activities and more. Whether you're on the hunt for cheap accommodation or want to splash out and search among the many luxury hotels in Wellington, you'll find them here.
Popular places to stay and things to do in Wellington
There are a myriad of hotels in Wellington NZ, with the biggest concentration of accommodation options in the CBD and an area called Te Aro. Of course, you can make a home base out of many other neighbourhoods of the city too, with hotels near the airport and beyond. Below are a few of the great suburbs that could top your list, along with a few things to do and places to eat and sleep in each one.
Hotels in Wellington Central
The heart of the coolest little capital is hugged in by hills around a gorgeous waterfront. Packed with businesses, shops, galleries and restaurants, the CBD is oh so walkable and there are various attractions everywhere underfoot. Here are just a few things to do if you happen to be staying in a hotel in Wellington CBD, along with a list of some accommodation options around the area.
Things to do near your Wellington Central hotel:
- Cable Car and Botanic Garden: This is a must-do for visitors to Wellington. Hop onto the historic cable car near the James Cook Hotel. From there, the charming carriages climb the hill to Kelburn, offering great views of the city along the way before letting you out at the Botanic Garden. Enjoy a long or short stroll around the Garden and its many sensory delights above the city
- Eat and shop: The city centre has a plethora of places to eat and indulge in retail therapy. You might like to soak in the Queens Wharf vibes with a casual bite and drink at Munchen Food Halland Bier Haus, or sample local ingredients at Charley Noble. Then, walk the length of Lambton Quay and browse the many shops before heading back to your hotel
- Historical attractions: Wellington has some significant sites including the Plimmer's Ark Remains, Plimmer Heritage House and the Corrections Heritage Centre
Where to stay in Wellington Central:
- The InterContinental Wellington is a 5-star hotel and a trusted name for travellers worldwide
- The Ibis Hotel is conveniently located near the waterfront and an affordable option for those after accommodation in the central city
- The DoubleTree by Hilton on Lambton Quay is a popular 4-star hotel right in the middle of things.
- Rydges Hotel has a trusted name and a great location, too. You'll find it at Waterloo Quay
- Bolton Hotel is close to Parliament at the northern end of The Terrace: a solid hotel choice for any visitor wanting all of Wellington within arm's reach
- There is also plenty of choice for travellers who prefer self-contained accommodation or something a little more unique. Take a look at these apartment, private holiday rental, boutique lodge, and bed & breakfast options.
Hotels in Te Aro
Here's where to be if you like to watch the action from front row and centre. Te Aro is the city's centre stage where you'll find much of Wellington's character on show. This area is home to famed Cuba Street and Courtenay Place, where locals and tourists alike flock for food, fun and fantastic nightlife. Te Aro shows off the fun and funky side of the capital to colourful perfection, and all are welcome.
Things to do near your Te Aro hotel:
- Te Papa: This fascinating, interactive museum is world famous. Located on Te Aro's waterfront and free to all, it tells New Zealand's natural, cultural and political history, and is a fantastic overview of the nation for any foreign visitors
- Eat and drink: Wellington has a foodie reputation, and you'll see why in Te Aro. Sweet Mother's Kitchen on Courtenay Place is a quirky favourite, and Cuba Street and the surrounding area are Wellington's answer to Melbourne's tasty and trendy laneways
- Nightlife: The suburb of Te Aro is considered New Zealand's largest entertainment district. The bars and clubs are concentrated around the north of the suburb on Courtenay Place, lower Cuba Street and Dixon Street
Where to stay in Te Aro:
- Art lover? The QT Wellington on the Te Aro waterfront is perhaps the best hotel in Wellington for you. It's chic, cool and modern; decorated with an extensive and diverse collection of art
- The Naumi Studio Hotel is a boutique, eco-friendly option, slightly removed from the bustle but within easy walking or weaving distance of the Te Aro hotspots
- The Distinction Wellington Century City Hotel is central to many of the city's best attractions and a great choice for active families and solo travellers
- Just on the outskirts of Te Aro, as the road curves around to Oriental Bay, is the Copthorne Hotel: a favourite for many travellers
- The Mövenpick Hotel is one of Wellington's most affordable and reliable accommodation options
- For a cheaper hotel option, look on the edge of the suburb near the Aro Valley and you'll find the Willis Wellington Hotel with affordable rooms and great service
- There is also plenty of choice for travellers who prefer self-contained accommodation or something a little more unique. Take a look at these apartment, private holiday rental, boutique lodge, and bed & breakfast options.
Hotels in Miramar Peninsula
Welcome to Wellington's outer suburbs, just beyond the airport and guarding the harbour's entrance. It's not just convenient airport hotels you'll find here, but also beautiful coastlines with sandy beaches, green areas and a famous movie props workshop! If you're looking for Wellington hotel deals and are willing to be based a little outside the CBD, take a look at what's on offer in Miramar.
Things to do near your Miramar Peninsula hotel:
- Weta Cave Workshop: Peer into a treasure trove of filmmaking memorabilia and props from Wellington's vibrant film industry, including artefacts from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Entry to the Weta Cave shop, mini-museum and documentary screening is free, and you can sign up for Workshop Tours and Miniatures Stage Tours, too
- Take a hike: Wellington's urbanity is underlaid by a beautiful natural setting. Enjoy it by walking the Eastern Walkway or Eastern Walkway Loop which includes a long stroll on the beach. Winding through green areas overlooking Breaker Bay and the surrounding area, this walkway includes Maori historical sites and the Ataturk Memorial
Where to stay in Miramar Peninsula:
- The recently opened Rydges Wellington Airport is ideally located within the airport precinct, and is perfect for short stopovers or late-night arrivals
- The Airport Motor Lodge offers cheap accommodation that's close to the airport
- There are many bed and breakfast or private holiday rental options in the Miramar Peninsula, including the Beachfront Bed and Breakfast, Pacific View Bed and Breakfast, and more
Finding the right type of Wellington Hotel
Hotels in Wellington aren't all created equal! As you probably know, there are endless accommodation options that can really drag out the hunt. Our search filters help you narrow it down by the following features:
- Star rating: whether you want five-star hotels or other ratings
- Price per night, making the cheapest accommodation easy to find
- Amenities like Wi-Fi, pools, free breakfast, air conditioning and more
- Accommodation type, from fancy Wellington hotels to backpackers
Apartments, holiday homes, backpackers & alternative accommodation
A hotel in the city isn't always what you're after. Wellington has heaps of hostels, bed and breakfasts and self-catering apartments to choose from, too.
We listed a few alternative accommodation options above amongst the many Wellington hotels, but if you're looking for more, rest assured you'll find plenty with our Expedia powered search.
Why book your accommodation with Air New Zealand?
It takes time to scour multiple sites and put your holiday together. We're here to help you get it done and dusted faster. Use Air New Zealand in partnership with Expedia to book your Wellington hotel so we can take some of the hard work off your hands, and save you money, too. We offer great low rates and Airpoints™ on every stay, as well as discounts for Airpoints™ members. How's that for an offer? Like Wellington on a good day, you can't beat it.