10 Best Budget Accommodations in Paihia 🛌🏼 [2026]

Last Updated: 17 September, 2024

The Best Cheap Accommodations in Paihia

Paihia has a whole lot of amazing experiences, from skydiving to cruising around the 144 islands, so no wonder you want to save a little money when staying in the Bay of Islands. A great way to stick to your budget is to stay in one of the budget accommodations in Paihia! Here, we’ve listed the best cheap hotels, motels, lodges and backpackers for a more affordable stay in Paihia.

While you’re here, you might also be interested in 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Paihia and The Guide to the Bay of Islands on a Budget.

1. Centabay Lodge

You can always rely on backpacker accommodation for a budget place to stay, and Paihia sure has plenty of options – just see 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Paihia. Centabay Lodge, however, doesn’t just provide your expected backpacker dorms but also offers self-contained studio rooms. Studios sleep up to four guests and include facilities such as an ensuite, kitchenette and a TV. The hostel also offers private ensuite rooms with access to the hostel’s communal kitchen and bathroom facilities.

Check Centabay Lodge out:

2. Dolphin Motel

Based in the heart of Paihia, Dolphin Motel is an apartment-style motel with studios, family apartments and one/two-bedroom apartments. For couples, the small studio is your cheapest option at the expense of no kitchen, but kitchenette facilities and a spa bath are available in the “Studio Spa” and “Studio King Spa”. The “One-Bedroom Apartment” provides more space and sleeps up to three, while the “Two-Bedroom Apartment” is the best option for families. The motel also has free parking on-site and free WiFi. Check out more unmissable motels in the 10 Best Motels in Paihia.

Check Dolphin Motel out:

3. Averill Court Motel

Transition into holiday mode instantly when you arrive at the Averill Court Motel set around a swimming pool, spa pool and undercover barbecue area. The four-star motel offers a large range of studios and apartments with fresh decor with beach-style tones. The “Studio Special” is an ultra-affordable option for couples and solo travellers, while the “Deluxe Studio” is well worth considering for families. Note that the motel prices here fluctuate with the season, so we wouldn’t class Averill Court Motel as “budget” in the height of summer.

Check Averill Court Motel out:

4. Bay of Islands Holiday Park

Situated on the outskirts of Paihia, the Bay of Island Holiday Park offers an excellent base for exploring the Bay of Islands. The Bay of Islands Holiday Park has a mix of affordable accommodation, from cabins to campervan and tent sites. There are all your essential communal facilities, a convenience store on-site, as well as a swimming pool and access to the river. Check out other stays with handy facilities, like kitchens, in the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Paihia.

Check Bay of Islands Holiday Park out:

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5. Bay of Islands Lodge (Paihia)

Centrally located in Paihia and a few steps away from the beach, Bay of Islands Lodge is another worthy go-to for your budget accommodation of choice! With attractive timber-lined rooms made up of bunk rooms for backpackers and private rooms for couples and families, there’s something for everyone. What’s more, all rooms have an ensuite. Enjoy a barbecue in the undercover courtyard in summer or huddle in the homely lounge and kitchen area in winter. There’s also free WiFi, on-site parking and a nearby tennis court for hire. See more backpacker-style stays in the 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Paihia.

Check Bay of Islands Lodge out:

6. Aarangi Tui Motel

Aarangi Tui Motel is an easy choice of budget accommodation in Paihia, with all units having a fully-equipped kitchen, separate bedrooms, lounges filled with natural light, ensuites, free WiFi and Sky TV. While the motel isn’t the closest to town, it’s still only 200 metres (219 yards) away and is conveniently located by Paihia’s main supermarket. The motel units with exposed brick walls have been modernly furnished, offering a comfortable stay, whether you’re in the compact “Studio” for two or the “Two-Bedroom Family Suite”. The “Large Apartment” is the hero room of the motel, sleeping up to six guests and providing all the spacious amenities for a real home-away-from-home experience.

Check Aarangi Tui Motel out:

7. Swiss Chalet Lodge Motel

For something mere moments away from the waterfront and town, choose the Swiss Chalet Lodge Motel. The four-star motel offers economical options for solo travellers right through to large families. Each unit is self-contained with a separate dining area and a sunny balcony. The “Studio Units” are a cheap option for couples, while the “Family Units” make an affordable family stay. Alternatively, you can upgrade to the “Two or Three-Bedroom Executive Apartment” with wonderful sea views and a spa bath in the bathrooms. Facilities at the motel include a barbecue area, indoor private spa pool, undercover parking, free WiFi, cooked or continental breakfast on request and more.

Check Swiss Chalet Lodge Motel out:

8. Austria Motel

Offering super affordable motel rooms on a quiet street yet a short walk from town, Austria Motel is well worth considering. All rooms have queen beds, as well as single beds, a separate kitchen and an ensuite bathroom. You’ll also be able to enjoy your sun-soaking balcony and undercover parking. While the furniture doesn’t win any style points, the decor is fresh and clean. The hosts go the extra mile for services, offering a courtesy car from the bus stop, as well as the environment by using biodegradable cleaners and energy-efficient lighting.

Check Austria Motel out:

9. Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge Paihia

While budget travellers might shy away from hotel accommodation, you might be surprised how affordable a room at the Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge Paihia can be. The hotel by Millennium Hotels offers an affordable “Standard Room” with either two double beds or one queen and a single set-up, ideal for friends and family stays. Rooms have basic hotel facilities, such as WiFi, tea/coffee-making facilities, friends and in-room entertainment. The hotel also features a swimming pool, an indoor spa and a games room, while you can enjoy meals on the waterfront at McKenzie’s Restaurant & Bar. See how Kingsgate compares to other hotels in the 10 Best Hotels in Paihia.

Check Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge out:

10. Marlin Court Motel

An excellent choice of affordable accommodation for families and groups, Marlin Court Motel offers studios for three guests, one-bedroom apartments for four and two-bedroom apartments for five. Rooms are basic yet completely comfortable but the Marlin Court Motel shines more through its facilities, which include a seasonal and attractive outdoor pool, barbecue area, on-site parking and rooms with a private patio or balcony. The motel is a short walk from Paihia town centre and backed by the gorgeous Opua Forest. See more stays like this in the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Paihia.

Check Marlin Court Motel out:

More Budget Accommodations in Paihia

That’s it for our list of the best budget accommodations in Paihia but if you want alternative affordable stays, check out the following:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Travel Guide to the Bay of Islands on a Budget.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Don Benny V. & DOC

This article was supplied by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and reviewed and published by Don Benny.

The DOC is the government agency charged with conserving New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage.

Don is a seasoned travel editor with a deep passion for exploring New Zealand, Asia and the Pacific. Having explored much of New Zealand’s North Island first-hand, from the cultural heart of Rotorua to the wine country of Wairarapa and the capital charm of Wellington, he brings local insight and a traveller’s eye to every piece he writes. Don Benny’s travel advice is shaped by real experiences, and he loves helping visitors uncover both iconic highlights and hidden gems throughout Aotearoa.

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