Wellington has once been voted the coolest little capital in the world and is known for its beautiful waterfront and its abundance of cafes and restaurants. If you’re planning on visiting Wellington for business or leisure and want to ensure that you stay at one of the best four or five-star hotels Wellington has to offer, you’ve come to the right place.
Simply continue reading to discover some of the features which make each of the best hotels in Wellington stand out from the multitude of inner-city hotels which are located in Wellington. Undeniably, staying at a centrally located hotel, which offers exemplary customer service and a contemporary environment can make all the difference in your trip. Keep in mind that the prices which are quoted are based on the average price of a hotel room for a night for a couple.
FUN FACT: As New Zealand’s culinary capital, Wellington is renowned for its secret bars, unique cafes, award-winning restaurants, and excellent coffee.
TRAVEL TIP: For a hassle-free trip to Wellington, check out mindmybag.com and consider leaving your luggage at their luggage storage facilities in Wellington.
QT Wellington
Location: CBD
Conveniently located across the road from Te Papa the Museum of New Zealand, the QT Wellington is a stone’s throw from Wellington’s vibrant waterfront. Further, many of the rooms even offer picturesque, waterfront views.
QT Wellington is an opulently decorated, contemporary hotel that features modern art from a wide variety of local artists. Moreover, many of the rooms which are available offer striking, hand-painted murals, while other rooms offer unique wallpaper. One room even boasts wallpaper that features hei-tiki figures which are indigenous, Maori art figures.
QT Wellington offers a wide variety of on-site facilities and amenities such as an indoor pool, a world-class day spa, a hair studio, and an award-winning restaurant, Hippopotamus.
A bus operated by Metlink takes about 10 minutes from Wellington Station – Stop A to Courtenay Place at Courtenay Central every 5 minutes and tickets range from $1 to $3.
Yes, QT Wellington offers safe off-site valet parking in a building across the street which would cost $40.
DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington
Location: CBD
Located in a charming historic building that was built in 1928, DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington is the perfect mix of history and style. Celebrating the heritage of the building, the on-site lounge which serves freshly brewed coffee and alcoholic beverages is named the 1928 Lounge.
The hotel also features 107 luxurious rooms which are spread over 7 floors and are located in the middle of Wellington’s CBD. Moreover, some attractions which are within walking distance of DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington include Te Papa, the Wellington Waterfront, the Botanic Gardens, and the Cuba Street Mall. Each room also offers a flat-screen smart TV, a writing desk, and a plush bed.
As the hotel is a Hilton property, it features modern conveniences such as digital keys, a concierge service, an on-site restaurant, and a variety of meeting rooms.
A bus by Metlink takes about 23 minutes from Wellington International Airport to Lambton Quay at Cable Car Lane every 20 minutes and tickets range from $4 to $6.
The Doubletree By Hilton Wellington allows check-ins starting at 3:00 PM and check-outs up until 12:00 NN.
The Doubletree By Hilton Wellington offers a variety of room types, including double, suite, quadruple, twin, and apartment.
Sofitel Wellington
Location: CBD
This hotel is marketed as a five-star, French-themed hotel and offers 129 well-appointed rooms and suites. Consequently, it has been awarded a Qualmark Gold Star Sustainable Tourism Rating and is a great choice for environmentally conscious tourists. Strategically, Sofitel Wellington is located In Wellington’s CBD and is a short 5-minute walk from New Zealand’s parliament, which offers free daily tours.
Additionally, each room has lavish decor and gold accents, as well as a Sofitel MyBed, a personal espresso maker, a smart flat-screen TV, and designer toiletries. As a bonus, each room offers a scenic city view or a beautiful garden view.
Furthermore, as this hotel is owned by Sofitel, it boasts a Club Sofitel executive lounge where you can try authentic French fare by executive chef Roy Giam. In the mornings the executive lounge offers freshly baked French pastries and in the evenings it offers pre-dinner canapes and drinks. Another key feature that makes Sofitel Wellington unique is the dedicated floor of spacious conference rooms as well as a bespoke boardroom.
A bus by Metlink takes about 25 minutes from Wellington International Airport to Lambton Quay North – Stop C every 20 minutes and tickets range from $4 to $6.
During their stay, guests at the Sofitel Wellington can indulge in a breakfast buffet that is well-regarded.
Bolton Hotel
Location: CBD
The Bolton Hotel is an independent, luxury hotel that offers 137 stylish rooms and suites. It offers in-room iPad minis, a fully equipped gym, a spa pool and sauna, a lap pool, and valet parking, as well as an on-site restaurant where guests can enjoy high tea.
Also, the hotel is known for having some of the most spacious hotel rooms and suites in Wellington. Some of the accommodation options on offer include one-bedroom studios and one and two-bedroom suites. The latter is ideal for families and groups. Above all, the Bolton Hotel offers 8 different types of rooms and studios to select from. Notably, the largest of which is the Residence Suite which is 170 sqm and offers two spacious bedrooms and a living room that offers floor-to-ceiling windows, a 55-inch TV with surround sound, and a private balcony.
Further, the hotel is popular with travellers and has won numerous awards including a 2020 Travellers’ Choice award from Trip Advisor and a New Zealand Hospitality award for Excellence.
A bus by Metlink takes about 2 minutes from Lambton Quay at Cable Car Lane to Lambton Quay North – Stop C every 5 minutes and tickets range from $1 to $2.
No animals are allowed on the premises except for service dogs.
Intercontinental Wellington
Location: CBD
The Intercontinental Wellington is located across the road from Wellington’s stunning waterfront and is owned and operated by the oldest chain of luxury hotels in the world, Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts. Some of Intercontinental Wellington’s on-site facilities include a health club that features an indoor heated swimming pool, a spa, and a hot tub as well as a lobby lounge and a world-class restaurant.
Being an Intercontinental hotel, it offers an award-winning, dedicated concierge team that ensures that the hotel’s guests’ needs are well catered to. Further, one unique feature which Intercontinental Wellington offers is a fleet of luxury cars that guests may use on tours of the city. So if you want to explore Wellington in a Bentley Flying Spur, make sure to book an experience with your friendly concierge.
Lastly, each standard room at the Intercontinental Wellington offers a spacious king-sized bed, a widescreen smart TV, a digital audio hub, digital air-conditioning, and personal bathrobes. While the hotel’s deluxe rooms feature walk-in rain showers and digital lighting controls.
A bus by Metlink takes about 4 minutes from Wellington Station – Stop A to Lambton Quay at Hunter Street every 5 minutes and tickets range from $1 to $2.
The InterContinental Wellington offers both double and triple rooms.
At the InterContinental Wellington, check-in is available starting at 3:00 PM and check-out is possible until 11:00 AM.
Oaks Wellington Hotel
Location: CBD
The Oaks Wellington Hotel is located in Te Aro, a creative suburb that is home to theatres and museums as well as restaurants and bars. The hotel is located in a heritage building that was built in 1922 and was formally a Ford assembly plant. Today, it is a contemporary hotel that is spread out over 9 floors and offers 226 rooms. It features well-appointed and features a walk-in shower, blackout curtains, a flat-screen smart TV, tea and coffee facilities, and a writing desk.
One of the clear highlights of Oaks Wellington Hotel is its rooftop garden where guests can relax on a warm, sunny day. Lastly, some of the other on-site facilities on offer include a coffee shop, a restaurant, and off-the-street parking.
A bus by Metlink takes about 17 minutes from Wellington International Airport to Courtenay Place at St James Theatre every 20 minutes and tickets range from $3 to $5.
Hawthorn Lounge, Cuba Street, and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa are the attractions near the Oaks Wellington Hotel.
Restaurants like Ortega Fish Shack, Oak And Vine Wellington, and Rock Yard Restaurant are conveniently located near Oaks Wellington Hotel.
James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
Location: CBD
The James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor is located on The Terrace and is within walking distance of the Cable Car, Parliament, and Sky Stadium. Further, the best rooms at the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor are the king suites which offer waterfront views, large lounges, and Hollywood-style king-sized beds.
The James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor is known for Whitby’s Buffet which features cooking stations where custom meals such as pasta can be requested from Whitby’s Buffet’s talented chefs. Whitby’s High Tea is a popular experience that is well worth booking and features seasonal treats such as mojito cheesecakes, and mango pannacotta.
Accordingly, one of the reasons why the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor is one of the best hotels in Wellington is that it offers an ever-changing schedule of events. In particular, the Summer High Tea and a themed Valentine’s Day Buffet.
James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor is reachable from the closest airport via taxi (20 minutes) or bus (30 minutes).
A bus by Metlink takes about 4 minutes from Lambton Quay at Cable Car Lane to Wellington Station – Stop D every 5 minutes and tickets range from $1 to $2.
Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay
Location: Oriental Bay
Obtaining its name from the nearby Oriental Bay, Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay is one of the top hotels in the area. Mainly, it is located next to Oriental Bay, Wellington’s gorgeous inner-city beach which is known for its white sand, turquoise water, and historic fountain. As a result, guests can enjoy perfect views of Wellington’s waterfront on the rooftop which offers unobstructed water views.
The hotel is a great choice for groups as it offers connecting rooms that are perfect for small groups of family or friends as well as additional beds. Each room also offers comfortable beds, flat-screen TVs that offer cable TV, and tea and coffee facilities.
Moreover, some of the facilities and amenities which are on offer include free toiletries, free parking, access to a modern gym, and a highly-rated restaurant that offers a wide variety of international cuisine and a chic cocktail bar.
A bus by Metlink takes about 13 minutes from Wellington Station – Stop A to Cable Street at Waitangi Park every 20 minutes and tickets range from $2 to $3.
There are designated smoking areas outside the hotel entrances where guests may smoke.
Yes, parking is available for cars at $25 per night.
ibis Wellington
Location: CBD
If you want a simple hotel that is still close to all the action, the ibis Wellington is a great choice. The best places to eat and shop in town are not far away. This hotel is easy to get to by car from Wellington Harbour, the Museum of Wellington City and Sea, and Midland Park. It has a covered parking lot (for a fee), 24-hour room service, and a 24-hour front desk.
Each room at this hotel has air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, Sky TV, a minibar, a kettle, and supplies for making coffee and tea. At the hotel’s restaurant, Vivant, dishes are made with fresh, in-season fruit and honey from beehives on top of the building.
The buffet breakfast at the ibis Wellington hotel is $25. Excellent variety of fresh produce, cold cuts, etc. Breakfast foods that have been cooked The following are acceptable: fried or scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, and mushrooms. There is no way to get a poached egg or a chef-prepared omelet.
Atura Wellington
Location: Thorndon
Atura Wellington is in New Zealand’s oldest neighborhood. It is close to the country’s legislative buildings, business hubs, waterfront restaurants, and Sky Stadium. The Central Business District and other transportation hubs like train stations, ferry terminals, and bus terminals are close to the hotel, which makes it a great choice for business travelers.
Everyone who stays at the hotel can use the free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk service, laundry facilities, and services for booking tours. There are also EV chargers that can be used. At Frankie’s Bar + Eatery, you can get traditional brasserie food like steak, burgers, pasta, and salad.
The Atura Wellington charges $25 per day for parking and allows guests to check in beginning at 3 PM.
Novotel Wellington
Location: CBD
The Novotel Wellington is in a great spot, close to many of the city’s attractions like the Wellington Museum, the Wellington Cable Car, and Zealandia Te Mara a Tane. Everyone who stays at the hotel can use the free Wi-Fi, front desk that is open 24/7, dry cleaning service, concierge, room service, and luggage storage.
The rooms at the Novotel Wellington have air conditioning, LCD TVs, and places to make coffee or tea. At the Caucus Restaurant and Bar, people can eat modern New Zealand food made with organic, locally grown ingredients.
The Novotel Wellington offers round-the-clock check-in. If you’re driving to the hotel, you can park at the loading area in front and then check in at the front desk.
Travelodge Hotel Wellington
Location: CBD
From the Travelodge Hotel Wellington, you can easily walk to the best places in the city, such as restaurants and bars. The hotel’s website has clear information about its services, such as its dry cleaning, tour desk, and 24-hour front desk, as well as its fitness center, covered parking, free Wi-Fi, and more.
The hotel rooms are comfortable and have everything you need, like air conditioning, an LCD TV, and a coffee or tea maker. They also have beautiful views of the city. Steps Restaurant and Bar serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can also order room service and enjoy a tasty meal in the comfort of their rooms.
Yes, overnight parking at the Travelodge Hotel Wellington will cost you $25.
Willis Wellington Hotel
Location: CBD
The Willis Wellington Hotel, which is part of the CPG Hotels Group, is a good choice for both business and leisure travelers who want to be near Wellington’s cultural hotspots and famous landmarks.
You can use the hotel’s many services at any time because the front desk is open 24/7, there is free Wi-Fi, covered parking, free laundry facilities, a tour desk, and the rooms are cleaned every day. Each room has a flat-screen TV with Sky, free Wi-Fi, a refrigerator, a phone, a coffee and tea maker, and other modern features.
If you plan to use the Willis Wellington Hotel’s parking facilities, you should call ahead to reserve a space.