Lakefront Lodge© Lakefront Lodge
Lakefront Lodge

10 Best Family Accommodations in Te Anau 👪 [2024]

© Lakefront Lodge

Where to Find Child-Friendly Accommodation in Te Anau

If your family mantra is “nothing beats a natural playground” then staying at the edge of the Fiordland National Park is a no-brainer. Te Anau is the gateway to one of New Zealand’s most famous national parks, home to Doubtful Sound, Milford Sound, the Te Anau Glowworm Caves and a wealth of breathtaking hikes. In between family adventures, stay in one of Te Anau’s comfortable motels, holiday parks or farmstays. We list our top picks in this list of best family accommodations in Te Anau.

While you’re here, fill up your time here with the incredible 10 Best Things to Do in Te Anau and 10 Things to Do in Milford Sound with Kids.

1. Aden Motel

The kids will love the playground, while mum and dad will love the money-saving cooking facilities available at the Aden Motel. The spacious gardens and the barbecue area provide an idyllic setting for families while being only 15 minutes walk from the town centre. The well-appointed yet very affordable motel offers a range of self-contained apartments sleeping up to five or six guests.

Check Aden Motel out:

10 Best Family Accommodation in Te Anau© Aden Motel

2. Kepler Oaks Chalet

Get the countryside experience at this farmstay just an 8-minute drive from Te Anau. Kepler Oaks Chalet is located by the Te Anau Golf Course and five minutes’ walk from the Waiau River, making it the perfect place to escape it all with the family. Your stay will be in a private chalet with a main room, a second bedroom with a twin or king set-up and a bathroom with a spa bath. Baby equipment, toys and bikes are also available.

Check Kepler Oaks Chalet out:

10 Best Family Accommodation in Te Anau© Kepler Oaks Chalet

3. Birchwood Cottages

Nestled in gardens just five minutes walk from Te Anau town centre, Birchwood Cottages provides an idyllic and convenient setting for a family stay. Most cottages sleep up to eight guests providing ample space for even the largest of tribes. Each cottage provides that “home away from home” experience with multiple bedrooms, a shower and/or bath and a private outdoor area, most of which have private barbecues.

Check Birchwood Cottages out:

© Birchwood Cottages

4. Anchorage Motel Apartments

An environmentally-conscious motel with 14 units, Anchorage Motel Apartments is an excellent choice for an eco-friendly stay for families. As part of the Southland Sustainable Tourism Project, the motel has practices in place to conserve water and reduce energy and waste. As for accommodation, the best option here for families is the “Two-Bedroom Unit” with kitchenettes and a TV to keep the little ones entertained. As for location, you’re a short walk from the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre and the lakefront. Discover more stays with full self-catering facilities in the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Te Anau.

Check Anchorage Motel Apartments out:

© Anchorage Motel Apartments

5. Lakefront Lodge

Modern, stylish and right by the lake, the Lakefront Lodge is an excellent choice for a family holiday. The one-bedroom motel units are the best choice for tribes sleeping four people across a queen and two single beds. Each unit has a convenient kitchenette, as well as WiFi and Sky TV to enjoy in your downtime. Families of three will also find plenty of options, including some pampering, in the “Standard One Bedroom Spa Bath”.

Check Lakefront Lodge out:

© Lakefront Lodge

6. Bella Vista Motel Te Anau

The popular motel chain, Bella Vista, also has a presence in the little town of Te Anau. Keep things convenient with the motel being the closest motel to the town centre. The motel offers a range of simplistically stylish rooms, including the ultra-practical “One-Bedroom Apartment” sleeping up to four guests. The apartment has a super king bed and two single beds, as well as an ensuite with a spa bath. Facilities include free WiFi, a barbecue area and breakfast orders. Be sure to compare this motel with the 20 Best Motels in Te Anau.

Check Bella Vista Motel Te Anau out:

© Bella Vista Motel Te Anau

7. Alpine View Motel

Affordable and comfortable, Alpine View Motel offers rooms for a variety of group sizes including families. The “One-Bedroom Unit” with a lounge is a great starting point with a kitchen and bathroom, while the “Three-Bedroom Unit” ensures everyone gets their own space. But space is never too hard to find with the motel being situated just 100m away from the lakefront. The motel also has a lawn, barbecue area and children’s playground. For more cheap stays like this, also check out the 15 Best Budget Accommodations in Te Anau.

Check Alpine View Motel out:

10 Best Family Accommodation in Te Anau© Alpine View Motel

8. Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels

Enjoy expansive views of Lake Te Anau from your campervan or motel room when staying at the Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels. Families are spoiled for choice here with camping sites and three-star standard cabins with layouts available as double, twin, triple and quad. Wherever you decide to stay, you’ll be able to benefit from the holiday park amenities, from a sauna/spa pool to a children’s playground. Free WiFi is also available. See how the holiday park compares to the other family-friendly options in the 6 Best Holiday Parks in Te Anau.

Check Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park out:

10 Best Family Accommodation in Te Anau© Te Anau Lakeview Kiwi Holiday Park & Motels

9. Tasman Holiday Parks – Te Anau

Another fantastic holiday park choice in Te Anau, especially for families, is the Tasman Holiday Parks – Te Anau. From campsites to apartments, there’s something for every style and taste. The cabins and units provide the best value for families with access to communal facilities, such as a kitchen, bathrooms and free gas barbecues. The “Family Cabins” have cooking equipment provided, otherwise if staying in some other cabins they may need to be hired. Other drawcards for families include the hot tubs overlooking Lake Te Anau, the “Hobbiton-inspired” sauna, games room and children’s playground.

Check Tasman Holiday Parks – Te Anau out:

10 Best Family Accommodation in Te Anau© Tasman Holiday Parks - Te Anau

10. Lakeside Motel & Apartments

Looking for fully self-contained accommodation for that home-away-from-home family experience? Then check out Lakeside Motel & Apartments. Families have the option of one, two and three-bedroom apartments with a kitchen, bathroom, a choice of lake or garden view, as well as luxurious extras like underfloor heating. What’s more, the Lakeside Motel & Apartments is literally across the road from the lake and its surrounding mountain views. Discover alternative upscale stays in the 10 Best Luxury Accommodations in Te Anau.

Check Lakeside Motel & Apartments out:

10 Best Family Accommodation in Te Anau© Lakeside Motel & Apartments

More About Family Accommodations in Te Anau

That’s it for our list of the best family accommodations in Te Anau. For more about planning an epic trip to this stunning corner of the world, check out more of our advice:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in our Southland Destination Guide.

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:

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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