Where to Find Child-Friendly Accommodation in Palmerston North
A city of gorgeous parks and nearby family-friendly attractions, Palmerston North is well worth visiting with your loved ones. What’s more, there’s plenty of accommodation to house families both large and small, whether you seek practical motel units or a more luxurious hotel. We’ll go through some of our top picks in this list of the best family accommodations in Palmerston North!
While you’re here, you might also be interested in The Guide to Palmerston North for Families and 10 Things to Do in Palmerston North with Kids.
1. The Esplanade Motel & Conference Centre
Offering more than the average budget motel for families, The Esplanade Motel & Conference Centre offers free mountain bikes to hire in summer and free access to a nearby gym and swimming pool. The motel has 13 well-appointed rooms including “Two-Bedroom Family Apartments” in a mezzanine room. Families have access to their own kitchen facilities, a double spa bath and shower, Sky TV, a DVD player with an extensive library, free WiFi and more. What’s more, the motel is one of the closest motels to Massey University yet a short drive from the city centre. See more like this in our 10 Best Budget Accommodations in Palmerston North.
Check The Esplanade Motel & Conference Centre out:
- The Esplanade Motel & Conference Centre on Booking.com
- The Esplanade Motel & Conference Centre on Trip.com
- The Esplanade Motel & Conference Centre on Expedia
2. Fitzherbert Castle Motel
Get the imagination running with the intriguing architectural design of the Fitzherbert Castle Motel. Not only do kids love to stay in “the castle” but the motel provides a few extra touches like Fairtrade coffee, chocolates and an in-room snack bar. The “Executive Studio” is the best option for families, featuring a super-king bed that can be split into two singles and a sofa bed, while a rollaway single bed is also available. The room has Sky TV with a My Sky Decoder, DVD player, ensuite with a spa bath, and breakfast-making facilities. Alternatively, just order breakfast straight to your room.
Check Fitzherbert Castle Motel out:
- Fitzherbert Castle Motel on Booking.com
- Fitzherbert Castle Motel on Trip.com
- Fitzherbert Castle Motel on Expedia
3. Aubyn Court Spa Motel
Pamper yourself in one of the self-contained units with a spa bath at the Aubyn Court Spa Motel. The one and two-bedroom “Family Suites” radiates contemporary style with luxurious additions like super-king beds and tiled bathrooms with a spa bath, as well as free WiFi and breakfast-making facilities including a breakfast bar. Other facilities at the motel include on-site parking, Sky TV and a location near The Plaza shopping mall. For more upscale stays like this, check out the 10 Best Luxury Accommodations in Palmerston North.
Check Aubyn Court Spa Motel out:
- Aubyn Court Spa Motel on Booking.com
- Aubyn Court Spa Motel on Trip.com
- Aubyn Court Spa Motel on Expedia
4. Alpha Motor Inn
Lovingly-decorated motel rooms await families big and small at the Alpha Motor Inn. Keep things sleek and simple in one of the studios sleeping up to three people or upgrade for space and groups of up to six and seven in the “Family Units” with separate bedrooms. Each room is named after a native bird with the larger units featuring full kitchen facilities (including an oven). Kids have ample space to roam in the gardens, while mum and dad will love the convenience of being able to walk into town or even the supermarkets which are five minutes away.
Check Alpha Motor Inn out:
5. Copthorne Hotel Palmerston North
For a super-central stay in an international hotel, choose the Copthorne Hotel Palmerston North. The “Family Suite” is a no-brainer, offering the largest room type in the hotel with a separate living area, a kitchenette and sofabed. You’ll also have access to free WiFi and in-room entertainment. Dinnertime is made easy here thanks to the on-site Jimmy Cook’s Kiwi Kitchen serving steaks, seafood and Kiwi favourites. There is also a “Junior Menu” available. See more accommodations like this in our 10 Best Hotels in Palmerston North.
Check Copthorne Hotel Palmerston North out:
- Copthorne Hotel Palmerston North on Booking.com
- Copthorne Hotel Palmerston North on Trip.com
- Copthorne Hotel Palmerston North on Expedia
6. Fitzherbert Regency Motor Lodge
Stay in well-appointed suites with modern fixings at the Fitzherbert Recency Motor Lodge. Families have a wealth of choices here in between the “Mezzanine Units” with a king and two king single beds, the “One-Bedroom Units” with the same bed setup, and “Studio Units” with interconnecting doors. Whatever you and your family choose, you’ll have access to free unlimited WiFi, ensuite bathrooms, double spa baths with a separate shower, plunger coffee and fresh milk daily, breakfast delivery and more.
Check Fitzherbert Regency Motor Lodge out:
- Fitzherbert Regency Motor Lodge on Booking.com
- Fitzherbert Regency Motor Lodge on Trip.com
- Fitzherbert Regency Motor Lodge on Expedia
7. Camelot Motor Lodge and Conference Centre
Camelot Motor Lodge offers two styles of accommodation for families: hotel-style guest rooms sleeping up to four people and two-bedroom apartments with two stories. Apartments have full kitchens, while all the rooms have electric blankets, TVs, a microwave and tea/coffee-making facilities. Porta cots and highchairs are also available. Oh, and did we mention that the castle entranceway is pretty cool too? See more motels in the area in our 10 Best Motels in Palmerston North.
Check Camelot Motor Lodge and Conference Centre out:
- Camelot Motor Lodge and Conference Centre on Booking.com
- Camelot Motor Lodge and Conference Centre on Trip.com
- Camelot Motor Lodge and Conference Centre on Expedia
8. Quest Palmerston North
Get the hotel meets home-away-from-home experience at Quest Palmerston North. The high-end apartment hotel chain offers an upmarket stay for families in Palmerston North with stylish contemporary studios and one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. All units feature a full kitchen with a dishwasher (PakN’Save is just across the road), while other conveniences include car parking, electric vehicle charging, laundry facilities, local restaurant chargeback, WiFi and in-house movies. Discover more self-catering stays in the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Palmerston North.
Check Quest Palmerston North out:
9. Broadway Motor Inn
Affordable, close to the city centre and utterly practical, Broadway Motor Inn ticks all the boxes for budget-conscious families. The motel complex with 21 rooms offers studios sleeping up to three people and one-bedroom units for four people. Features in each room include kitchen facilities, as well as dining furniture, a bathroom with a shower, Sky TV and free WiFi. You may also find the on-site parking, laundry and continental breakfasts a handy addition.
Check Broadway Motor Inn out:
10. Palmerston North Motel
Among quiet gardens just two blocks away from the city centre, Palmerston North Motel is a top choice for families. Playtime can be spent in the swimming pool or on the trampoline, while mum and dad have the opportunity to relax in the spa pool. The “One-Bedroom Suite” and “Two-Bedroom Unit” are the best options for families, each featuring a kitchen with an oven, super-king beds, limited free WiFi and a bathroom. Rooms are simple but do the job!
Check Palmerston North Motel out:
- Palmerston North Motel on Booking.com
- Palmerston North Motel on Trip.com
- Palmerston North Motel on Expedia
[CLOSED] The Villas
The Villas offers a more resort-style stay in Palmerston North, featuring child-friendly facilities like an indoor swimming pool, spa pool, games room and more. The motel offers split-level one-bedroom units, one-bedroom spa units, and family units. The former two rooms sleep up to four guests, while the latter sleeps up to six. Whichever room you stay in, you’ll have access to useful facilities like Sky TV, WiFi, on-site parking and a guest laundry. Some rooms have a microwave and fridge, while others have complete cooking facilities. The Villas is located on the Pioneer Highway just a short drive from the city centre.
More About Family Accommodations in Palmerston North
That’s it for our list of the best family 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:
- 10 Things to Do in Palmerston North with Kids
- 16 Best Things to Do in Palmerston North
- The Food Guide to Palmerston North: Places to Eat & Food Tours
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Guide to Palmerston North for Families.
Author
Laura S.
This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in New Zealand over 10 years ago and with a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to travel New Zealand. She knows Aotearoa inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience New Zealand’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides and is the co-host of NZ Pocket Guide’s live New Zealand travel Q&As on YouTube.