Where to Find Cheap Accommodation in Palmerston North
Stay in the vibrant city of Palmerston North without breaking the bank! The North Island hub offers a wide range of budget accommodations, especially motel-style for travellers needing some of the conveniences of home.
We go through some of your best affordable options in this list of budget accommodations in Palmerston North! For more cheap accommodation, see our 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Palmerston North.
While you’re here, you might also be interested in 15 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Palmerston North and The Guide to Palmerston North on a Budget.
Table of Contents
1. Kauri Court Motel and Apartments
A boutique motel near the scenic Fitzherbert Park, Kauri Court Motel and Apartments provides a tranquil and friendly experience.
Stay in bright and well-appointed studios and multi-bedroom apartments with features like individual air-conditioning, free WiFi, super king beds, cooking facilities and a bathroom.
The motel also has a breakfast menu should you want to take a break from cooking, as well as on-site parking and laundry facilities.
Book Kauri Court Motel and Apartments out:
- Kauri Court Motel and Apartments on Booking.com
- Kauri Court Motel and Apartments on Trip.com
- Kauri Court Motel and Apartments on Expedia
© Comfort Inn Kauri Court2. The Esplanade Motel & Conference Centre
One of the closest motels to Massey University, The Esplanade Motel & Conference Centre provides an alternative location. Drawcards of the motel include the free mountain bikes to hire in summer and free access to a nearby gym and pool.
The motel has 13 well-appointed rooms including budget studios, one-bedroom spa units, and two-bedroom family apartments. Guests will have access to their own kitchenette, Sky TV, DVD player with an extensive library, free WiFi and more.
See more stays like this in our 10 Best Family Accommodations in Palmerston North.
Book The Esplanade Motel & Conference Centre:
- The Esplanade Motel & Conference Centre on Booking.com
- The Esplanade Motel & Conference Centre on Trip.com
- The Esplanade Motel & Conference Centre on Expedia
© Asure Colonial Court3. Masonic Hotel
A centrally located hotel above a popular sports bar, Masonic Hotel offers another choice for a cheap stay in Palmerston North.
Each of the 10 rooms here features an ensuite shower room, electric blankets and room heaters for a cosy evening, as well as breakfast and drink-making facilities.
There are rooms for couples all the way to families of five, so there’s something for most travellers – including friendly staff who are sure to make you feel welcome.
Compare this to Palmy’s other hotels in the 10 Best Hotels in Palmerston North.
Book Masonic Hotel:
© Masonic Hotel4. Warm on Waterloo
Another style of cheap accommodation in Palmerston North is a homestay. Warm on Waterloo offers two affordable guest rooms with rates for solo travellers to two guests per room available.
Knowing that you’re getting a private room with breakfast included, plus access to a fully equipped kitchen and the opportunity to stay with welcoming locals, the homestay provides awesome value for money.
For alternative ultra-cheap stays, check out the 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Palmerston North.
Book Warm on Waterloo:
© Warm on Waterloo5. Kiwi Studios Motel
Ideally located in the centre of Palmerston North, Kiwi Studios Motel makes it all too easy!
Choose from budget studios, twin studios and family units, or upgrade to an “Executive Spa Studio”. Either way, you’ll find rooms elegantly decorated and feature all the essentials, from kitchenettes to free WiFi.
The motel also has a guest lounge to relax in, on-site parking, security gates and the option of a continental breakfast.
For more stays ideal for couples, check out theย 5 Best Romantic Accommodations in Palmerston North.
Book Kiwi Studios Motel:
© Kiwi Studio Motel6. Rose City Motel
Free unlimited WiFi: check! Sky TV: check! A two-minute walk from the city centre: check! Rose City Motel does the job and more. Guests can make use of the squash court, spa pool, barbecue area and handy amenities like on-site parking and laundry facilities.
As for the rooms, relax in your indulgent “Spa Studio” or treat the family to a home away from home in the “Apartment Suite” – both your best-value options. You’ll have access to at least basic cooking facilities.
See more self-catering stays in our list of the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Palmerston North.
Book Rose City Motel:
© Rose City Motel7. Aztec Motel
Retreat to this peaceful motel just five minutes’ drive from the city centre. Aztec Motel offers budget studios with or without kitchen facilities, as well as one and two-bedroom units.
Rooms are well-presented, with many having a ranchslider onto a private outdoor area.
There’s on-site parking available, a barbecue, an outdoor swimming pool, free WiFi, smart TVs and a trampoline for the kids.
Discover more motels to compare in theย 10 Best Motels in Palmerston North.
Book Aztec Motel:
© Aztec Motel8.ย Broadway Motor Inn
Affordable, close to the city centre and utterly practical, Broadway Motor Inn ticks all the boxes for the budget-conscious traveller.
The motel complex with 21 rooms offers studios sleeping up to three guests and one-bedroom units for up four guests.
Features in each room include kitchen facilities, making it easy to save money on food, as well as dining furniture, a bathroom with a shower, Freeview and Sky TV and free WiFi.
Other facilities include on-site parking, laundry and continental breakfasts.
Book Broadway Motor Inn:
© Broadway Motor Inn9.ย The Cobb Hotel
A budget hotel above a bustling bar, The Cobb Hotel offers an affordable stay in Palmerston North for couples and families.
Couples have the option of the “Studio Rooms” with basic furnishings, an ensuite, fridge and tea/coffee facilities.
The “Family Room” has a little bit extra in terms of beds and space.
Downstairs, the bar serves a range of crowd-pleasing meals at an affordable price.
Book The Cobb Hotel:
© The Cobb Hotel10. Penny’s Accommodation
An old-school guesthouse, Penny’s Accommodation is worth staying in just for the experience.
The budget accommodation is just a 10-minute walk from the city centre and offers a range of private rooms with communal bathrooms, lounge and kitchen.
Stay in either a single, double, twin or triple room with classic yet clean furnishings. WiFi is complimentary (although, not always working), as is the on-site parking.
Book Penny’s Accommodation:
© Penny's AccommodationMore About Budget Accommodations in Palmerston North
That’s it for our list of the best budget accommodations in Palmerston North, but it’s by no means the end of our advice! Check out more guides to help you plan the perfect trip to Palmerston North:
- 15 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Palmerston North
- The Food Guide to Palmerston North: Places to Eat & Food Tours
- 16 Best Things to Do in Palmerston North
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Guide to Palmerston North 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 Mฤori Tourism (Official Mฤori 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
Laura S.
This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.







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