The best motels in Whangarei put you a few minutes from the Town Basin, the Hundertwasser Art Centre and State Highway 1, in self-contained units with a kitchen, a park at the door and somewhere to swim at the end of the day. Whether you are here for a Northland holiday, a hospital appointment or a week of work, the choice runs from budget studios through to spa bath suites and a conference room. Lodge Bordeaux and Bella Vista Motel Whangarei anchor the Western Hills Drive end of town, with Cheviot Park Motor Lodge and the Kamo Road motels a short drive north.
1Lodge Bordeaux
Lodge Bordeaux is a 5 star property on Western Hills Drive, run by hosts Stephanie and David Chamberlin, offering spacious studio and one or two bedroom suites with double spa baths and underfloor heating. It sits on landscaped grounds just off State Highway 1, within walking distance of the Whangarei CBD, the Hundertwasser Art Centre and the Quarry Gardens. It suits couples marking an occasion and business travellers who want a quiet, upmarket base rather than a standard motel unit.
Services
- Studio spa suites with king beds and double spa baths
- One and two bedroom suites with separate lounge and dining areas
- Balcony suites with their own private outdoor areas
- A wheelchair accessible studio with a walk-in shower
- Cafe style breakfasts delivered to the room, plus all day breakfast
Highlights
- Rated 5 star, and described on its own site as Northland’s award winning accommodation
- Family run, with Stephanie and David Chamberlin as resident hosts
- Heated swimming pool in season and a guest BBQ area
- Dual car electric vehicle charging, and eBikes available for hire
- Underfloor heating, air conditioning and hush window panes throughout the suites
Location & Contact
Name: Lodge Bordeaux
Address: 361 Western Hills Drive (State Highway 1), Whangarei
Phone: 09 438 0404
Website: lodgebordeaux.co.nz
2Bella Vista Motel Whangarei
Bella Vista Motel Whangarei is an 18 unit property on Western Hills Drive, hosted by JJ and Cindy, made up of self-contained studios and one bedroom family units. It is the closest motel to the central city and within walking distance of Forum North, the Northland Events Centre and Whangarei Hospital, which makes it a practical choice for business trips, events and appointments. Rooms are smoke free throughout, with heat pumps, Smart TVs and a work desk in every unit.
Services
- Compact and executive studios with queen or king beds
- Twin and triple studios sleeping up to three guests
- King studios with a spa bath
- One bedroom family units and purpose built access units with parking at the door
Highlights
- Assessed by Qualmark as 4 Star Plus quality accommodation
- Holds a Qualmark silver sustainability award
- The first motel in Whangarei to offer electric vehicle charging, with Type 2 chargers by prior booking
- Completely smoke free across all units and the grounds
- Continental breakfast, and chargeback facilities for evening meals whether you dine in or out
Location & Contact
Name: Bella Vista Motel Whangārei
Address: 322 Western Hills Drive, Whangārei
Phone: 09 438 6990
Website: bellavista.co.nz/our-motels/whangarei
3Cheviot Park Motor Lodge
Cheviot Park Motor Lodge has 17 self-contained studio, one bedroom and three bedroom units on Cheviot Street, just off State Highway 1 at the Whangarei Hospital and Dargaville turn-off. Every unit is on the ground floor with a private outdoor area and a car park immediately outside. Its conference room and catering set it apart from the other motels here, so it works for training days and small events as well as overnight stays.
Services
- Standard studio units
- One bedroom suites sleeping four or five
- A three bedroom house for larger groups
- Conference and meeting room hire for up to 40 people
- Conference catering, from morning tea through to hot and cold finger food lunches
Highlights
- Conference centre seating up to 40, with theatre, boardroom, U-shape and classroom layouts
- Four electric vehicle chargers on site
- Outdoor swimming pool, spa room, BBQ area and guest laundry
- Disabled access to both the studio and the conference room facilities
Location & Contact
Name: Cheviot Park Motor Lodge
Address: Cheviot Street, Whangarei
Phone: 09 438 2341
Website: cheviotpark.co.nz
4Continental Motel
Continental Motel sits at 67 Kamo Road between the Regent and Kensington neighbourhoods, a few minutes from the town centre and within walking distance of supermarkets, cafes and medical centres. Its units run from a budget upstairs family room through to two bedroom apartments, all with kitchen facilities, air conditioning and Smart TVs. The swimming pool and hot spa pool make it an easy pick for families breaking a Northland road trip.
Services
- Deluxe queen, king and twin studios
- One bedroom and two bedroom self-contained units
- A twin studio with disability access
- A budget upstairs family unit without a kitchen
Highlights
- Outdoor swimming pool and a hot spa pool on site
- Guest laundry, luggage storage and free on-site parking
- Smart TVs and free high speed fibre Wi-Fi in every unit
- Service dogs are welcome
Location & Contact
Name: Continental Motel
Address: 67 Kamo Road, Regent, Whangārei
Phone: 09 437 6359
Website: continentalmotel.co.nz
5Kingswood Manor Motel
Kingswood Manor Motel is a 19 unit property at the Kamo end of Kamo Road, set in park-like gardens with ample off-street parking. All units are self-contained with a well-equipped kitchen, and the quiet setting suits travellers heading north on State Highway 1 the next morning. It is close to the Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary, Whangarei Falls and Abbey Caves, with the city and harbour about five minutes away.
Services
- Queen and twin studio units
- One bedroom deluxe apartments with a spa bath
- Family units and an access studio unit
Highlights
- 19 self-contained units, each with a well-equipped kitchen
- Air conditioning and a heat pump in every room
- Park-like garden setting with ample off-street parking
- Guest laundry, satellite television and free high speed wireless internet
Location & Contact
Name: Kingswood Manor Motel
Address: 260 Kamo Road, Whangarei
Phone: 09 437 5779
Website: kingswoodmanormotel.co.nz
Motels in Whangarei at a Glance
| Business | Based in | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Lodge Bordeaux | Whangarei | Rated 5 star |
| Bella Vista Motel Whangarei | Whangārei | Assessed by Qualmark as 4 Star Plus quality accommodation |
| Cheviot Park Motor Lodge | Whangarei | Conference centre seating up to 40 |
| Continental Motel | Regent | Outdoor swimming pool and a hot spa pool on site |
| Kingswood Manor Motel | Whangarei | 19 self-contained units, each with a well-equipped kitchen |
How to Choose the Right Motel in Whangarei
- Pick your side of the city first. Western Hills Drive is the State Highway 1 corridor closest to the CBD and the hospital, while Kamo Road runs north towards Kamo, Whangarei Falls and the exit to the Bay of Islands.
- Check what the kitchen actually includes. Some studios have only a microwave, kettle and toaster, which is fine for a night but limiting on a longer stay, so look for a unit described as self-contained with a full kitchen.
- Use an independent quality rating rather than a self-description. A Qualmark star grading is assessed by an outside assessor, so it is a firmer comparison than adjectives on a website.
- Think about your vehicle. Ground floor units with a park at the door suit anyone unloading gear, and if you are driving an EV, confirm the charger type and whether it needs to be booked ahead.
- Ask about accessibility directly. Several Whangarei motels have a purpose built access unit, but usually only one or two, so they book out early.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whangarei Motels
What is the difference between a motel and a motor lodge in New Zealand?
In practice there is no formal distinction. Both describe self-contained units with parking at or near the door, and the name is a matter of branding. Cheviot Park Motor Lodge and Continental Motel offer much the same style of ground floor, self-catering accommodation.
Do Whangarei motels have kitchens?
Most units do. Self-contained studios and one or two bedroom units generally include a hob, microwave, fridge and cooking equipment. Compact and budget studios are the exception and often provide only tea, coffee and toast making facilities, so check the room description before booking.
What does a Qualmark star rating mean?
Qualmark is New Zealand tourism’s official quality assurance organisation, and its star ratings are awarded after an independent on-site assessment covering the accommodation, facilities and sustainability practices. Bella Vista Motel Whangarei, for example, is assessed at 4 Star Plus with a silver sustainability award. You can read how the grading works at qualmark.co.nz.
Which part of Whangarei is best to stay in?
If you are visiting the Town Basin, Forum North or Whangarei Hospital, the Western Hills Drive motels are the closest and are walkable to the central city. If you are continuing north or want to be near Whangarei Falls, the Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary and Abbey Caves, the Kamo Road motels put you at the right end of town.
Can I charge an electric vehicle at a Whangarei motel?
Yes, at several. Cheviot Park Motor Lodge has four chargers on site, Lodge Bordeaux offers dual car charging, and Bella Vista Motel Whangarei was the first motel in the city to install charging and provides Type 2 chargers when booked in advance. Charging is not standard across every motel, so confirm it when you reserve.
Are there accessible motel units in Whangarei?
Yes. Lodge Bordeaux has a wheelchair accessible studio with a walk-in shower, Continental Motel has a twin studio with disability access, Kingswood Manor Motel has an access studio unit, and Bella Vista Motel Whangarei has purpose built access units with parking at the door. Numbers are limited, so book these directly and early.
Do Whangarei motels have swimming pools?
Several do. Continental Motel has an outdoor pool and a hot spa pool, Cheviot Park Motor Lodge has an outdoor pool and a spa room, and Lodge Bordeaux has a heated pool that operates in season. Pools are often seasonal or unheated, so check the dates if swimming matters to your stay.
Is parking free at Whangarei motels?
Free on-site parking is standard at the motels listed here, and most units have a park immediately outside the door. Space for a boat, trailer or truck varies from site to site, so it is worth calling ahead if you are towing.
How We Chose the Best Motels in Whangarei
Every business in this guide was found by searching for motels in Whangarei, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Whangarei, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.