Where to stay in Wellington, New Zealand (the best hotels and areas)
Welcome to the hotel edit; my guide to the very best hotels and places to stay in Wellington
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New Zealand’s capital city often ends up being a transit point, a place where to stay for a night or two before or after catching the ferry to the South Island. If you have the time, it’s worth a short stop, if only to explore the coffee culture and restaurants Wellington is famous for.
Wellington is a compact city, and easy to walk around — if you’re only staying for a night or two, I recommend basing yourself in the centre, so you can reach Wellington’s best sights with ease. .
Just note that parking (or the lack thereof) can be a hassle, so make sure you ask in advance about options if you’re travelling with your own wheels.
Wellington city is arranged around the harbour, and the centre is easily explored on foot
I haven’t stayed in every hotel in Wellington, but I have passed through the city many times; I have driven back and forth to the South Island more times than I can count, and I’m always happy to pass through the capital.
As with all of my guides, this isn’t supposed to be the most comprehensive list of hotels in Wellington, but a curated selection of independent or otherwise unique places to stay.
A quick overview: Wellington’s best hotels
My top choice — The Intrepid Hotel
Fabulous location by the waterfront and Te Papa — QT Wellington
Excellent independent hotel — The Bolton
Luxe rooms with mid-century flair — Ohtel
Cheap, cheerful, and practical — Astelia Apart Hotel
A guide to the best areas to stay in Wellington
If you’re struggling to decide where to stay in Wellington, here is a quick breakdown of the key areas.
Wellington CBD and Lambton Quay
Wellington CBD (the Central Business District) is where the high rises tower over the harbour.
This is the main shopping and business district, home to corporate offices, government buildings, and the Wellington Cable Car. Lambton Quay is the main street.
This is also the area where you’ll find the railway station and the Bluebridge ferry terminal, so it can be a handy area if you want somewhere within a short walk or drive of either transport hub.
The Bolton
Why I recommend this hotel:
The Bolton is independent and family-run, a rarity for hotels these days.
What’s nearby:
Independently owned Belen Plant Bakery is a great spot for mid morning treats (or any time treats).
On this side of town, you’re close to the Beehive — it’s worth going for a walk around there to take a look at it.
Wellesley Boutique Hotel
The Wellesley Boutique Hotel is a slice of Wellingtonian history. Originally opened as a gentleman’s club in 1927, the heritage building is a beautiful example of neo-Georgian architecture. You’ll have to be comfortable with the occasional draft and old-school decor, but the pay-off is lovely details like claw-footed bathtubs.
Why I recommend this hotel:
You get to stay in a heritage listed building.
What’s nearby:
Check out the Wellington Cable Car, which is just a five minute walk from the hotel.
The location is also very convenient for catching the Bluebridge Ferry. It’s also very close to the railway staion.
Astelia Apart Hotel
The Astelia Apart Hotel is a very convenient choice if you want a budget option and you’re not too bothered about decor. If you have a rental car, as I did, this hotel is located opposite a parking building, so it’s easy enough to park overnight.
The downside to that is that some of the rooms are looking straight at the parking building — that was indeed my view from the room’s sofa.
Why I recommend this hotel:
I loved that the Apart Hotel had a washing machine and dryer in the room — this was the main factor in choosing this hotel last time I was in Wellington (I had just arrived from the South Island with a backpack full of grubby hiking clothes)
I also liked that the room layout mean the kitchen and dining area was separate from the bedroom. It was also handy having a decent kitchen set up, with good coffee making facilities.
Astelia is owned by the same New Zealand accommodation group behind the luxury Ohtel; I always like knowing a place is New Zealand operated.
What’s nearby:
Astelia is almost perfectly midway between the Cable Car and downtown Wellington, and Cuba Street with all of its restaurants.
Te Aro and Cuba Street
I love walking around the Wellington waterfront, and reading the poetry from local writers
Te Aro is the creative quarter of Wellington, bisected by the famous Cuba Street. This is where you will find independent bookstores, second hand shops, and cafes like Fidels.
Even if you don’t stay on Cuba Street, it’s worth meandering down the famous road to get a sense of Wellington’s creative heart.
Te Aro technically also extends down to the waterfront, where you’ll find Te Papa Tongarewa, the Museum of New Zealand, and a lovely harbourside walk.
Unfortunately, the waterfront has been fenced off with temporary barriers, which makes it look a little shabbier than usual. The intentions are good — the council is trying to prevent people from drunkenly falling into the harbour, as a handful have tragically been known to do — but the execution means it’s not as picturesque as it is sans fencing.
The Intrepid Hotel
Located on Ghuznee Street, in the heart of Te Aro, the Intrepid Hotel has just 18 rooms. The hotel building used to be a chocolate factory, and has been renovated in a way that embraces its industrial past — white brick walls, exposed pipes, and metallic furnishings.
Why I recommend this hotel:
The Intrepid is one of the few hotels in Wellington not owned by international chains. It’s owned by a duo behind other hospitality ventures in Wellington, including the restaurant Shepherd (which I love as well).
Being independent means this really is a one of a kind hotel, with oodles of character and a vibe that really fits with the capital city’s eclectic and cool nature.
What’s nearby:
Puffin, one of Wellington’s best wine bars, is conveniently just downstairs. If you want to go further, this hotel is close to all the restaurants of Cuba Street.
QT Wellington
The QT is the Wellington hotel I know most intimately. I used to stay here when I went down to Wellington for work — I always loved the lavish rooms with colourful decorations and full bathtubs in the bathrooms.
Why I recommend this hotel:
I’m a fan of all the QT properties (I also nominate them in my picks for best Auckland and Queenstown hotels) because they are just more fun and interesting than a standard hotel.
What’s nearby:
It’s only a couple of minutes walk from QT to Te Papa Musuem, a must-visit in Wellington.
There are also some good breakfast cafes not too far away, which is handy — I don’t recommend the hotel restaurant for breakfast; it’s fine, not awful, but I have eaten there twice and both times felt like I could have had a more interesting breakfast elsewhere.
Oriental Bay
Ohtel
The mid-century inspired retro rooms of Ohtel Wellington offer a much more unique stay than the generic chain hotels.
Why I recommend this hotel:
I like that it is owned by a New Zealand accommodation group.
What’s nearby:
Set right on Oriental Parade, this boutique hotel is ideal for exploring the waterfront. Head to Beach Babylon on Oriental Bay for brunch, or go in the opposite direction to explore the writer’s walk around the water.
Thanks for reading this far — I hope my recommendations helped you select a special place to stay in Wellington.
If you would like to explore more of Wellington and the North Island, you might also be interested in these articles:
AUTHOR BIO
I’m a freelance travel writer from New Zealand with bylines in National Geographic Travel, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and more.
I’ve travelled up and down beautiful Aotearoa and I love sharing my recommendations for the best places to visit in New Zealand.
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