20 BEST Hotels & Places to Stay in Napier 🛎️ [2023]

Where to Find the Best Hotels and Alternative Accommodations in Napier

This is what city visits are all about, right? Exploring the city, trying the eateries, picking up some souvenirs, perhaps walking along the beach, then retreating to a luxurious hotel room. This is certainly the case in the coastal city of Napier, famous for its Art Deco architecture and a picturesque waterfront. The Hawke’s Bay hub boasts some of the finest hotels in New Zealand, set in fabulous heritage or Art Deco-style buildings with modern comforts. Whether you’re looking for a standard hotel room or a larger suite with cooking facilities, it’s all here in the hotels in Napier. Check out the list below to see our top picks, as well as alternative places to stay in Napier!

For alternative accommodation, see The Complete Guide to Napier and the 10 Best Motels in Napier.

1. expressotel – Cheap Hotel in Napier City Centre

Centrally located, stylish and modern, expresshotel provides a contemporary hotel experience in the heart of Napier. Enjoy proximity to Napier’s downtown cafes, restaurants and shops, where you can retreat to your well-appointed room with free WiFi, tea/coffee-making facilities, air-conditioning, a TV and more. Rooms are best-suited to couples, corporate travellers and friends with king, queen and twin suites and studios available.

Check expressotel out:

2. Swiss-Belboutique Napier – Five-Star Hotel in Napier

A five-star boutique hotel that’s a five-minute stroll from Napier city centre and the stunning shores of Marine Parade, Swiss-Belboutique Napier is a top choice for the discerning traveller. Whether you’re looking for a standard hotel room (with luxuries like a smart TV and espresso machine, of course) or added space in the one- and two-bedroom suites, there’s something here for all. Even if you’re travelling with a beloved pooch there are pet-friendly rooms available, while your car also gets premium treatment with undercover parking. The reputable Saffron Social Kitchen, Lobby Bar and fitness centre complete your stay.

Check Swiss-Belboutique Napier out:

20 BEST Hotels & Places to Stay in Napier 🛎️ [2023]

3. Scenic Hotel Te Pania – Napier Hotel on Marine Parade

A stand-out hotel in architectural design and quality, Scenic Hotel Te Pania is well worth considering for discerning travellers. The four-star international hotel boasts an attractive glass facade on the waterfront of Napier city. Stay in one of five types of sleek and stylish rooms, including unique offerings like “Accessible Rooms”, “Dog-Friendly Rooms” and “Two-Bedroom Suites”. Each room type has a versatile layout making the hotel an ideal stay for couples, corporate travellers, friends and families. Enjoy the usual international hotel amenities, such as free WiFi, Sky TV, interconnecting rooms, tea/coffee, as well as an on-site restaurant offering room service.

Check Scenic Hotel Te Pania out:

4. The County Hotel – Luxury Hotel in Napier

Winner of the Art Deco Supreme Award, The County Hotel allows guests to fully experience Napier’s famous architecture. Part of the hotel is in one of the only buildings that survived the 1931 earthquakes, which today are modernly renovated. Expect contemporary touches like TVs with streaming services, WiFi, iPod docking stations, as well as your usual traditional hotel amenities. Indulge in rooms with a spa bath, celebrate your special occasion in the “Honeymoon Suite”, or upgrade to one of the spacious heritage-designed suites which will send you back in time. The County Hotel also provides the option to wine and dine in the luxurious Wine Street Restaurant serving breakfast, high tea and dinner.

Check The County Hotel out:

5. The Crown Hotel – Napier Hotel in Ahuriri

Located in the attractive seaside village of Ahuriri, The Crown Hotel offers an alternative location in Napier. The four-star hotel features 39 guest rooms in a studio, one and two-bedroom layout. Choose your style of room: contemporary or heritage. Either way, the rooms are kitted out with a kitchenette, a choice of waterfront views, super king beds, cosy bathrobes, underfloor heating, free WiFi, air-conditioning and more. As for hotel facilities, enjoy sunset drinks from the courtyard House Bar, work out in the gym, and families get the extra hand with a “baby pack” on arrival.

Check The Crown Hotel out:

6. Art Deco Masonic Hotel – Napier Hotel with Amazing Restaurants

Stay super central in the Art Deco Masonic Hotel, opposite the i-SITE. This upmarket hotel offers a wide range of rooms, including hotel rooms, suites, studios and apartments. Each room is decorated in the theme of Napier’s heritage and style, with common features like French doors leading out onto a balcony, an espresso machine, and an ensuite with a bath or rain shower. You’ll also be sharing the building with two award-winning eateries which make up the Napier foodie scene.

Check Art Deco Masonic Hotel out:

7. Navigate Seaside Hotel & Apartments – Luxury Apartment Hotel in Napier

Another attractive hotel in Ahuriri, Navigate Seaside Hotel & Apartments sits across the road from one of Napier’s only swimmable beaches, as well as a selection of restaurants and a scenic walk/cycleway. Treat yourself and your group to either a “Studio”, “Family Room”, “Two-Bedroom Suite” or “Two-Bedroom Apartment” with the option for beach views. Other features of the stylish hotel include free on-site undercover parking, a barbecue area, room service meals, stroller hire, free guest laundry, board games and much more.

Check Navigate Seaside Hotel & Apartments out:

8. The Nautilus – Waterfront Hotel in Napier

Stay in Art Deco-inspired waterfront accommodation at The Nautilus. This hotel offers self-contained suites and studios with contemporary fixtures that blend well with the Art Deco design. The Nautilus is made with couples and corporate travellers in mind, offering oceanview “Executive” and “Premium” rooms with or without a spa bath. Most rooms have kitchenette appliances for cooking your own simple meals or opt for dinner at the on-site restaurant and bar overlooking the waterfront. Find The Nautilus hotel located on Marine Parade a short walk from the city centre.

Check The Nautilus out:

9. Quest Napier – Serviced Apartments in Napier

Cook in style at the Quest Napier apartments. The contemporary studios and one and two-bedroom apartments provide the perfect blend of space and privacy that you would expect at home. While the apartments are set in a historic building, they are renovated with all the modern luxuries, including full kitchens, ensuites, apartments with separate bedrooms, air-conditioning and free WiFi.

Check Quest Napier out:

10. Quality Inn Napier – Harmless Hotel in Napier

This 4-star hotel is also located on Napier’s Marine Parade. The Quality Inn has an ideal location for exploring the city centre, as well as enjoying leisure time in the covered heated swimming pool. Either order room service, eat at the on-site restaurant or save money by cooking your own meals with your studio’s kitchenette or the open-plan kitchen of the family-friendly “Executive Room”. Some rooms also feature a spa bath and a private balcony.

Check Quality Inn Napier out:

11. East Pier Hotel – Waterfront Hotel in Ahuriri

Boasting an enviable position on the waterfront of Ahuriri, the four-star East Pier Hotel is well worth considering. Each room here is spacious, modernly appointed and opens up onto the reserve right on the waterfront. All your mod-cons are seen to, including WiFi, Sky TV and a kitchenette with a microwave, fridge and drink-making facilities. There are room layouts for a variety of group sizes, including interconnecting rooms. You may also want to dine at the on-site restaurant complete with all-weather decks.

Check East Pier Hotel out:

12. The Dome – Iconic Landmark in Napier City

The Dome is one of the most iconic buildings in Napier. Stay in one of the luxury apartments, studios and “Grand” apartments for larger groups. Rooms are outfitted in designer furniture and New Zealand artwork while featuring luxury amenities like Bose entertainment systems, designer kitchens and more. Treat yourself to services like in-suite massages and beauty therapies, embrace the ocean or city views from your private balcony, and have access to a rooftop terrace with a heated spa and plunge pool in certain apartments.

Check The Dome out:

13. Pebble Beach Motor Inn – Luxury Motel in Napier

Moving onto different styles of places to stay in Napier with one of its most upmarket motels, the Pebble Beach Motor Inn. Set on the waterfront of the city, ocean views are a key feature of this motel (best if you get an upper-level room), as well as the full kitchens fitted to all rooms. Your ensuite bathroom is pretty classy too, fully tiled and with soothing Satin-jet showers. Some rooms also feature a spa pool, while there are many room layouts to suit couples to families.

Check Pebble Beach Motor Inn out:

14. Motel de la Mer – The Best Motel in Napier

Feel right at home in one of the spacious suites of the oceanfront Motel de la Mer! Couples can enjoy comfort, affordability or luxury in the “Studio Spas” or “Studio Spa Executive”, while families will have all the essentials in the “One-Bedroom Family” or upgrade to an “Executive Spa” or “Penthouse Apartment”. The motel features ocean-facing suites, Sky TV, Satin-jet showers, free WiFi, hush glass and free on-site parking. What’s more, the Motel de la Mer is on the fringe of the city centre. See how this motel compares to the 16 BEST Motels in Napier.

Check Motel de la Mer out:

15. Shoreline Motel – Motel on Marine Parade

Get a practical and modernly-styled motel room with ocean views at the Shoreline Motel. You can hardly miss the motel’s attractive Art Deco facade facing the waterfront, just a couple of minutes’ walk from the city centre. Take in the idyllic views from your private balcony, make your own meals with the kitchenette facilities, and have the option to be pampered in your private in-room spa pool. There are studios, as well as one and two-bedroom suites available to suit a range of travellers – but we recommend this more for couples as shown in the 10 Most Romantic Accommodations in Napier. Other facilities at the Shoreline Motel include free parking, free WiFi, Sky TV, a barbecue area, laundry services and breakfast delivery services.

Check Shoreline Motel out:

16. Kennedy Park Resort Napier – Family-Friendly Accommodation

One of the best options for families, Kennedy Park Resort provides the family holiday experience in Napier. Expect holiday park-style accommodation, such as campsites, cabins with or without a kitchen, self-catering holiday units and more luxurious motel units. The holiday park doesn’t just provide a wealth of facilities but entertainment like large heated outdoor swimming pools, a jumping pillow, pedal cars, a children’s playground, Sky TV theatre, games room, barbecue areas and more. See more like this in the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Napier.

Check Kennedy Park Resort out:

17. Sea Breeze B&B – Affordable B&B in Napier

You’ll either love or hate the decor of this quirky B&B, but you’ll certainly love the price! Sea Breeze B&B sits on the waterfront of Napier, just a short stroll on the pleasant Marine Parade walkway into town. The affordable B&B boasts a few vibrantly themed double, twin and triple rooms each with a private bathroom. In true B&B style, breakfast is included, giving you even more bang for your buck. Discover more affordable stays like this in the 15 Best Budget Accommodations in Napier.

Check Sea Breeze B&B out:

Sea Breeze B&B on Booking.com

18. Beautiful Beach Townhouse – Upscale Holiday Home in Napier

When looking for the best places to stay in Napier, you might also want to consider holiday homes. A highly rated option is the Beautiful Beach Townhouse located on the waterfront of Westshore, a short drive from Napier city centre. The two-bedroom two-bathroom holiday home boasts contemporary furnishing and fixtures, including a full kitchen with a dishwasher and coffee machine. There are some pleasant outdoor spaces to enjoy too, including a patio with a barbecue and an ocean-facing balcony. For more accommodations with complete kitchens, check out the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Napier.

Check Beautiful Beach Townhouse out:

Pebble Beach Motor Inn on Booking.com

19. McHardy Lodge – Luxury Lodge in Napier

One of the most prestigious and romantic luxury lodges in Napier and Hawke’s Bay, McHardy Lodge offers an indulgent retreat after a day of exploring the Art Deco city or surrounding wineries. Relax by the outdoor pool, play a game of billiards or retreat to one of the six elegantly furnished guest rooms, all set up for a romantic stay for couples. Your stay includes welcome refreshments, pre-dinner drinks, as well as an a la carte breakfast each morning. Discover more luxury lodges in the area with our 10 Best Luxury Accommodations in Napier.

Check McHardy Lodge out:

20. Parkside Lodge – Cheap Accommodation in Napier

A lodge with a lot of character, Parkside Lodge makes an interesting choice for travellers on a budget – we mean in a good way! The 21-room lodge is decorated with vintage musical items, bird art and antiques to keep the senses stimulated. The lodge offers a range of well-appointed rooms with TVs, air-conditioning, tea/coffee-making facilities, free WiFi and an ensuite bathroom. There’s a range of room types to suit couples, friends and families. Make use of the lodge’s communal kitchen with fresh herbs, homebaked treats, an espresso machine and an outdoor barbecue. There’s even a game room for those rainy days (or you could always do the 14 Things to Do in Napier on a Rainy Day).

Check Parkside Lodge out:

[CLOSED] Bluewater Hotel

Enjoy views of the Ahuriri Marina from your studio or apartment at the Bluewater Hotel. Each room has floor-to-ceiling windows making the most of the views. Choose from a variety of Studios for couples, corporate travellers and families or the two-storied Apartments for groups and families seeking more space. Some rooms have a spa bath, while all have a kitchenette for preparing stove-top or microwave meals. Facilities at Bluewater include free mini-golf, Rolls Royce hire, dining at the Water Bar Restaurant and more.

More About Hotels in Napier

That’s it for our list of the best hotels in Napier, but it’s by no means the end of our advice! Check out more guides to help you plan the perfect trip to Hawke’s Bay:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to Napier.

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.

Contact Laura via our contact page