The Best Kid-Friendly Hotels and Accommodations in Whangarei
From familiar-feeling hotels to breathtaking baches in the Whangarei Heads, Whangarei has a wealth of experiences to offer families. Whatever you decide to do, you’re sure to want to stick around for a while to make the most of what this Northland city has to offer.
With that in mind, we’ve put together this list of some of the best family accommodations in Whangarei. You’ll find something to suit, no matter your budget, taste and needs.
While you’re here, you might also be interested in The Guide to Whangarei for Families and 10 Things to Do in Whangarei with Kids.
Table of Contents
1. Motel Sierra
Motel Sierra caters to just about anyone, including families visiting Whangarei. Stay in the one-bedroom unit or studio sleeping up to four people, while larger tribes will find everything they need in the two-bedroom units or the four-bedroom house.
You’ll find versatile kitchen facilities in each type of accommodation, as well as free WiFi, Sky TV, a shower ensuite, electric blankets, heating and living/dining furniture. Rooms are simple yet modernly appointed.
Downtime at the motel can be spent playing in the game rooms, refreshing in the outdoor pool in summer, and unwinding in the spa pool no matter the season.
Book Motel Sierra:
© Motel Sierra2. Birchgrove Cottages
For a real home-away-from-home experience, Birchgrove Cottages offers private stand-alone cottages with one and two-bedroom layouts. These modernly-appointed holiday homes have full kitchens, contemporary bathrooms with free toiletries and hairdryers, and premium bedding in each room.
The cottages come with thoughtful extras like air conditioning, WiFi and private patios where you can enjoy the garden views. There’s also a barbecue area, laundry facilities and free self-parking on-site.
While the cottages are around 8 km (5 mi) from the city centre, they are located next to the scenic Northland Golf Course and the Kamo shopping precinct.
Book Birchgrove Cottages:
© Birchgrove Cottages3. Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre
For families seeking that luxury hotel experience, set your sights on Distinction Whangarei Hotel. The two-bedroom family suites are a fine option to treat yourselves to, featuring Sky TV, two TVs, a bar area, bathroom, dining area and complimentary access to the hotel’s indoor swimming pool, spa, gym and barbecue area.
The hotel sits opposite the Hatea River and includes free WiFi and parking, a 24-hour front desk, and a fitness centre. All air-conditioned rooms come with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, minibar and an electric kettle; some rooms feature balconies with river views. There’s also a shared games room with billiards.
Dinnertime is made easy with the on-site Portobello Restaurant offering superb views across the Whangarei Town Basin.
Book Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre:
- Distinction Whangarei Hotel on Booking.com
- Distinction Whangarei Hotel on Trip.com
- Distinction Whangarei Hotel on Expedia
![10 Best Family Accommodations in Whangarei 👪 [2026]](https://nzpocketguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Distinction-Whangarei-Hotel-Conference-Centre.jpg)
© Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre4. BK’s Pohutukawa Lodge
The large studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units are an excellent budget option for families at BK’s Pohutukawa Lodge. Each room comes with a flat-screen Smart TV, free WiFi, tea/coffee-making facilities and recliner chairs.
You’ll also find a refrigerator, microwave and cooking facilities for preparing simple meals. Some rooms even include a spa bath for unwinding after a day of exploring.
Self-service laundry facilities are available on-site, along with cots, highchairs, on-site parking and more.
Book BK’s Pohutukawa Lodge:
![10 Best Family Accommodations in Whangarei 👪 [2026]](https://nzpocketguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/BKs-Pohutukawa-Lodge-1.jpg)
© BK's Pohutukawa Lodge5. Whangarei Central Holiday Park
Kids love the holiday park experience, so treat them to one like the Whangarei Central Holiday Park. The holiday park offers a vast range of accommodation types, from simple tent sites to self-contained apartments with everything you could need.
Stick to your budget in the compact “Family Room” with breakfast-making facilities and use the communal bathrooms and kitchen, or enjoy your own privacy in the “Kitchen Cabins”, “Self-Contained Studios”, “Motel Units” and “Apartments”.
On-site, you’ll find a children’s playground (always a winner with the little ones), a guest lounge, communal kitchen and barbecue facilities.
Free on-site parking means you won’t be hunting for a spot after a day out exploring Whangarei.
Book Whangarei Central Holiday Park:
© Whangarei Central Holiday Park6. Stonehaven Motel
Get the boutique motel experience for the family at Stonehaven Motel. This budget accommodation with 10 units comprises spacious one and two-bedroom units for groups, located five minutes’ drive from the town centre.
Stay in basic but well-appointed rooms with a fully equipped kitchen or kitchenette, private bathrooms, flat-screen satellite TV with over 50 satellite channels, free WiFi, electric blankets and on-site parking. Each unit also has its own seating and dining area.
See more self-catering options in the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Whangarei.
Book Stonehaven Motel:
![10 Best Family Accommodations in Whangarei 👪 [2026]](https://nzpocketguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Stonehaven-Motel-2.jpg)
© Stonehaven Motel7. Pembrooke Motor Lodge
Enjoy views of the bush-clad Mt Parahaki from your motel unit at Pembrooke Motor Lodge.
The motel accommodation is located approximately 1 km (0.6 miles) from the city centre and offers self-contained units with ensuite bathrooms, 46″ TVs, kitchenettes, free WiFi, and inside and outside furniture.
The affordable family units have modern furniture, as well as access to facilities like DVD players with a DVD library, daily newspaper delivery on request and more.
See more stays like this in our 10 Best Budget Accommodations in Whangarei.
Book Pembrooke Motor Lodge out:
- Pembrooke Motor Lodge on Booking.com
- Pembrooke Motor Lodge on Trip.com
- Pembrooke Motor Lodge on Expedia
© Pembrooke Motor Lodge8. Quest Whangarei
For a touch of luxury with all the comforts of home, choose Quest Whangarei. The serviced apartment complex includes two styles of two-bedroom apartments. The standard two-bedroom apartment is a purpose-built apartment, while the “Executive” two-bedroom is a one-bedroom apartment interconnected to a studio.
Either way, you and your family can enjoy full modern kitchen facilities, separate bedrooms both with a private ensuite, a TV with in-house movies and lounge area and a dining area.
More facilities include local restaurant chargeback, laundry facilities and car parking.
See more accommodations like this in our 10 Best Luxury Accommodations in Whangarei.
Book Quest Whangarei:
© Quest Whangarei9. Whangarei Falls Holiday Park
With a kids’ playground, barbecue area and go-kart hire, Whangarei Falls Holiday Park is a top choice for families.
For those of you not camping, you’ll have the choice of motel units with private self-catering facilities, budget cabins and units with some private facilities and use of the communal kitchen and bathrooms.
Accommodation is simple but certainly does the job for an affordable stay in Whangarei.
Find the holiday park at the foot of Mt Parihaka and its walking trails, just a short drive from the city centre.
Book Whangarei Falls Holiday Park:
© Whangarei TOP 10 Holiday Park10. Lupton Lodge
Luxury and home comforts combine at Lupton Lodge. The luxury boutique accommodation sits between Whangarei city and the stunning Tutukaka Coast.
An a la carte breakfast is included in the stay, as well as an on-site dining room serving gourmet evening meals.
You and your family also have access to a 10 m swimming pool, extensive gardens, farm animals to entertain the little ones and a lounge with game tables.
Families have the option of a two-bedroom apartment with contemporary fixtures and furniture, as well as a four-bedroom holiday home in a historic villa.
Book Lupton Lodge:
© Lupton LodgeMore About Family Accommodations in Whangarei
That’s it for our list of the best family accommodations in Whangarei but is by no means the end of our Whangarei advice! Check out these to plan more of your visit:
- 10 Things to Do in Whangarei with Kids
- 15 Whangarei Walks You Can’t Miss
- 10 Best Beaches in Whangarei
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Travel Guide to Whangarei for Families.
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.
