Where to Find Self-Contained Accommodations and Stays with Cooking Facilities in Kaikoura
The “Kai” in Kaikoura means “food” in the Maori language, so it’s only fitting to keep food in mind when searching for accommodation here! Ok, that might be a stretch, but the coastal town still has a wide range of self-catering accommodations to suit all budgets. Whether you prefer to be in charge of your own meals without sacrificing luxury or you want to save as much as possible on both accommodation and food, you’ll find an appropriate place to stay in this list of the best self-catering accommodations in Kaikoura.
For more inspiration for your stay, also check out the 20 Incredible Things to Do in Kaikoura.
1. Kaikoura Quality Suites
A top choice for self-contained accommodation in Kaikoura is the Kaikoura Quality Suites. The “One-Bedroom Suite” is a great choice for families and groups, sleeping up to five guests across a private king room and an open-plan lounge/kitchen with a super king bed. Corporate travellers or couples will experience space, comfort and style in the “Executive Studio” opening up onto a courtyard or deck. In-room facilities include underfloor heating, free WiFi and a kitchenette, while the guest lounge with a pool table and landscaped gardens with a barbecue area are more pleasant places to hang out.
Check Kaikoura Quality Suites out:
- Kaikoura Quality Suites on Booking.com
- Kaikoura Quality Suites on Trip.com
- Kaikoura Quality Suites on Expedia
2. Kaikoura TOP 10 Holiday Park
Kaikoura TOP 10 Holiday Park offers a wide range of accommodation types in Kaikoura (nearby to the local supermarket, might we add?) Although they offer standard cabins as their cheapest accommodation, after camping sites, they also have fully self-contained units with a private kitchen. Additionally, guests at the holiday park have a heated swimming pool, private spa pools, free WiFi and basic kitchen, dining and laundry facilities to make use of! Thanks to its excellent family-friendly facilities, we also list this one in the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Kaikoura.
Check Kaikoura TOP 10 Holiday Park out:
- Kaikoura TOP 10 Holiday Park on Booking.com
- Kaikoura TOP 10 Holiday Park on Trip.com
- Kaikoura TOP 10 Holiday Park on Expedia
3. Kaikoura Gateway Motor Lodge
Find something practical and affordable at the Kaikoura Gateway Motor Lodge. Just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre, Kaikoura Gateway Motor Lodge has 20 self-contained accommodations available, from studios to two-bedroom units. Rooms are cheap, cheerful and have all the essentials, from a basic kitchen for cooking simple meals to an ensuite. Guests can also enjoy the outdoor solar-heated swimming pool, a barbecue area, as well as a children’s playground adjacent to the motor lodge. See more stays like this in our 15 Best Budget Accommodations in Kaikoura.
Check Kaikoura Gateway Motor Lodge out:
- Kaikoura Gateway Motor Lodge on Booking.com
- Kaikoura Gateway Motor Lodge on Trip.com
- Kaikoura Gateway Motor Lodge on Expedia
4. The Fairways at Ocean Ridge
An ideal retreat for families or groups of couples travelling together, The Fairways at Ocean Ridge offers more luxurious self-catering accommodation. Each apartment has a king bedroom and a king/twin bedroom, both with their own ensuites and one with a spa bath. Most importantly, the designer kitchen is equipped to cook in style to a mountain view or even opt for home-cooked breakfasts delivered to your door. The Fairways is a short drive from the town centre and beside the golf course. See more like this in the 14 Best Luxury Accommodations in Kaikoura.
Check The Fairways at Ocean Ridge out:
- The Fairways at Ocean Ridge on Booking.com
- The Fairways at Ocean Ridge on Trip.com
- The Fairways at Ocean Ridge on Expedia
5. Dusky Lodge and Backpackers
Those on a really tight budget have an excellent range of hostels in Kaikoura to choose from. Dusky Lodge and Backpackers is the largest backpacker hostel in Kaikoura with an incredible amount of space to relax after a day’s swimming with dolphins or whale watching. Make use of the multiple lounges, decking areas, an outdoor swimming pool, and even multiple kitchens to spruce up your own meals. From super-budget dorm rooms to private ensuite rooms to family rooms, there’s something for everyone. See more like this with self-catering facilities in the 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Kaikoura.
Check Dusky Lodge and Backpackers out:
- Dusky Lodge and Backpackers on Booking.com
- Dusky Lodge and Backpackers on HostelWorld
- Dusky Lodge and Backpackers on Trip.com
- Dusky Lodge and Backpackers on Expedia
6. Glenburn Coastal Retreat
An adults-only retreat with holiday home-like cottages, Glenburn Coastal Retreat is a top choice for couples. Soak in the best of the Kaikoura scenery, with coastal views on one side and mountain views on the other, all absorbed by your floor-to-ceiling windows leading out to two private decks. Everything is here for an independent stay, from a very functional kitchen to a large ensuite with twin basins and a deep freestanding bathtub facing the mountains. Note that this luxury accommodation is located a short drive from Kaikoura in Hapuku. For more stays ideal for couples, check out the 12 Most Romantic Accommodations in Kaikoura.
Check Glenburn Coastal Retreat out:
- Glenburn Coastal Retreat on Booking.com
- Glenburn Coastal Retreat on Trip.com
- Glenburn Coastal Retreat on Expedia
7. Bella Vista Motel Kaikoura
A motel with fantastic self-catering facilities, Bella Vista Motel Kaikoura is well worth considering. By the time you reach Kaikoura, you might have seen this motel brand more than a few times. Bella Vista Motel Kaikoura follows the same standard as the rest of the chain: clean and crisp motel rooms with a room option for just about anyone. The “One-Bedroom Studio” is an easy choice for families, sleeping up to four guests with the convenience of a full kitchen, separate bedroom and ensuite with a spa bath. Couples and friends will find suitable cooking facilities in the “Superior Studio” and “Twin/Triple Studio” for stovetop meals. Compare this motel with many more in the 20 BEST Motels in Kaikoura.
Check Bella Vista Motel Kaikoura out:
- Bella Vista Motel Kaikoura on Booking.com
- Bella Vista Motel Kaikoura on Trip.com
- Bella Vista Motel Kaikoura on Expedia
8. Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments
If an apartment hotel is more your style, choose the hugely popular Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments. Located on the “Esplanade”, this collection of one- and two-bedroom apartments are metres away from the beach and within a short walk of the town centre in one direction and the Kaikoura Peninsula (with its seal colony) in the other. The apartments are modernly appointed and come with all of the self-catering essentials for a true home-away-from-home stay in Kaikoura.
Check Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments out:
- Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments on Booking.com
- Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments on Trip.com
- Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments on Expedia
9. Kaikōura Peaks eMotel
Style is the aim of the game at this design-driven motel on the outskirts of Kaikoura and nearby the local supermarket. Kaikōura Peaks eMotel boasts four sumptuously furnished queen studios and one family studio, so this place gets booked up quickly (and rightfully so). Each unit is equipped with cooking facilities, a washing machine and dryer, a TV with streaming services, free WiFi, on-site parking and more.
Check Kaikōura Peaks eMotel out:
10. A1 Kaikoura Motel & Holiday Park
Another self-catering accommodation alternative is holiday parks. Just a two-minute walk from the town centre, A1 Kaikoura Motel & Holiday Park is a popular choice for all kinds of budget travellers. If you’re not camping, choose from two varieties of cabin (bedding needs to be hired or you can bring your own) or one of the motel units with a self-contained kitchen, bedding and a TV. Motel layouts include studios and multi-bedroom bedroom units, making them a good option for larger groups. Whichever accommodation you decide to stay in the holiday park, you’ll still have access to kitchen facilities, whether it’s your own in your motel room or the communal kitchen.
Check A1 Kaikoura Motel & Holiday Park out:
- A1 Kaikoura Motel & Holiday Park on Booking.com
- A1 Kaikoura Motel & Holiday Park on Trip.com
- A1 Kaikoura Motel & Holiday Park on Expedia
More About Self-Catering Accommodations in Kaikoura
That’s it for our list of the best self-catering accommodations in Kaikoura, but it’s by no means the end of our travel tips! Get more stellar travel advice from the following guides:
- 20 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Kaikoura
- 5 Top Wildlife Activities in Kaikoura
- 20 Best Things to Do in Kaikoura
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to Kaikoura.
Author
Robin C.
This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before calling New Zealand home. He has now spent over a decade in the New Zealand tourism industry, clocking in more than 600 activities across the country. He is passionate about sharing those experiences and advice on NZ Pocket Guide and its YouTube channel. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides.