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

Where to Stay in Picton: Picton’s Best Hotels and Alternative Accommodations

Picton is not just a gateway to the South Island. It’s the hub of the gorgeous Marlborough Sounds, a great base for Marlborough wine tours and a harbour town steeped in history. With so many reasons to stick around for a while, we’ve put this list together of the best hotels in Picton, as well as alternative accommodations, so you can start planning a place to stay. From resorts on the shores of the Queen Charlotte Sound to central boutique hotels, there are plenty of options for all types of travellers in Picton.

While you’re here, be sure to plan some amazing experiences using the 15 Best Things to Do in Picton.

1. Beachcomber Inn – The Best Hotel in Picton

Out of the limited selection of real “hotels” in Picton, Beachcomber Inn is a worthy choice. The hotel offers 35 rooms, including apartments and ensuites. Couples or a couple of friends have a choice of rooms with a shower, spa bath or jet bath, most of which offer excellent views of the harbour. For families, the two-bedroom apartment ensures everyone gets their own space, as well as space to relax in the lounge and balcony. Amenities at the resort include on-site parking, an outdoor swimming pool and a restaurant & bar. A continental breakfast is available for delivery to your room.

Check the Beachcomber Inn out:

2. Escape to Picton Boutique Hotel – Boutique Couple-Centric Hotel in Picton

This popular dining venue on Picton’s waterfront just happens to hide three luxurious suites upstairs. Each suite is unique with exquisite handmade furniture, including “The Formal Suite” boasting romantic and traditional decor, while “The Modern Suite” is sleek and sophisticated. Whatever room couples decide to indulge in, your stay will include a gourmet breakfast, as well as a complimentary glass of Champagne and a fruit platter on arrival. See more couple-centric recommendations like this in the 10 Most Romantic Accommodations in Picton.

Check Escape to Picton out:

3. Picton Yacht Club Hotel – Hotel with a Pool in Picton

Picton’s alternative town centre hotel option is the Picton Yacht Club Hotel. The four-star hotel set on the waterfront of the Picton Marina offers contemporary rooms for couples, families, business travellers and small groups. While there are more affordable entry-level rooms available, there’s the option to treat yourself to a “Penthouse Apartment” with three separate bedrooms and a full kitchen. But whichever room you decide to stay in, you’ll still have access to the hotel’s large outdoor pool, on-site parking, free WiFi, the Boatshed Bar and the relaxed dining room at The Chartroom Restaurant.

Check the Picton Yacht Club Hotel out:

4. The Portage – Hotel in the Marlborough Sounds (Road Accessible)

The Portage, based on the spectacular Marlborough Sounds, might be a bit of a journey from Picton but that’s the whole point. After a scenic trip by boat or by road, you’ll stay in one of the airy rooms with timber interiors and sea views with options for couples, friendship groups and families. Enjoy fresh and contemporary cuisine with a glass of Marlborough wine at The Portage Restaurant & Bar, as well as casual drinks and food at The Snapper Bar & Eatery or the Cafe & Lounge Bar. Other ways to enjoy your time here are by the pool, hiking the Queen Charlotte Track, and disconnecting from the rest of the world as the hotel rooms do not have WiFi or a TV.

Check The Portage out:

5. Bay of Many Coves – Luxury Hotel in the Marlborough Sounds

Escape to one of the most prestigious resorts on the Marlborough Sounds, the Bay of Many Coves. This luxury boutique resort is immersed in a pristine native forest, offering suites and one, two and three-bedroom apartments. While each accommodation offers something different, some features you may encounter include private decks, spa pools, a complimentary minibar, contemporary furnishings and nature as far as the eye can see. The resort offers a wealth of things to keep you busy, or not so busy, from day spas to paddleboarding on the vibrant waters, but foodies will also love the range of eateries available. Treat yourself to fine dining on The Foredeck or a casual affair on the jetty at the Bight Cafe where locals and yachties meet. See more options like this in 10 Best Luxury Accommodations in Picton.

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6. Harbour View Motel – Affordable Motel in Picton Town Centre

While we might have exhausted the list of hotels in Picton, there are still some well-appointed hotel-style motels to take advantage of. The Harbour View Motel presents modern budget accommodation on the harbourfront. There’s a room for most traveller groups, from couples in the “Budget Studios” up to families in the “Seaview Two-Bedroom Apartments”, all of which are well-priced. While not all rooms have kitchen facilities, you will have your own bathroom, free WiFi, communal laundry, on-site parking and possibly a balcony. See more hotels and motels like this in the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in Picton.

Check the Harbour View Motel out:

7. Unique Luxury Apartment & Private Spa Pool & Gym – Upscale Holiday Home in Picton

One type of accommodation that Picton has plenty of is the “holiday apartment”. One of the most breathtaking is the “Unique Luxury Apartment & Private Spa Pool & Gym” perched on a hillside overlooking the Picton Marina. The two-bedroom apartment/holiday home is modernly renovated with lavish places to relax, most notably a deck with a swimming pool and spa pool. You’ll also have all the mod-cons, including a TV with streaming services, high-speed WiFi and even complimentary transportation to and from the ferry terminal, train station or water taxi.

Check Unique Luxury Apartment & Private Spa Pool & Gym out:

Unique Luxury Apartment & Private Spa Pool & Gym on Booking.com

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

8. Tombstone Backpackers – Cheap Accommodation in Picton with Free Breakfast

Dorm rooms, private twin and queen rooms, triple and quad rooms with ensuites, queen rooms with ensuites and a self-contained apartment… It’s all here at the Tombstone Backpackers. The premium hostel located by the town’s cemetery (hence the name) offers well-appointed rooms, as well as communal facilities, from the kitchen to the outdoor areas with a spa pool and game tables. While a little out of town compared to other budget accommodations in Picton, the hostel is still only three minutes from the ferry terminal and has free bike hire available. The event at Tombstone though is the free hot scone breakfast freshly baked each morning. See similar cheap accommodations like this in the 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Picton.

Check Tombstone Backpackers out:

9. Picton TOP 10 Holiday Park – Family-Friendly Holiday Park in Picton

There’s so much for all ages here that staying at the Picton TOP 10 Holiday Park is an adventure in itself. Make a splash in the outdoor pool, hire some bikes and go-karts, let the kids loose at the playgrounds complete with a trampoline and giant chess set, book a session in the spa pool and pick up a takeaway espresso coffee. As for accommodation at the holiday park, choose from campsites and basic units with access to shared facilities like a fully equipped communal kitchen, bathrooms and laundry. If you’d rather have your own facilities, however, there’s a range of modern self-contained cottages also available. For more family-friendly finds, check out the 12 Best Family Accommodations in Picton.

Check Picton TOP 10 Holiday Park out:

10. Sennen House Boutique Accommodation – Boutique Self-Contained Accommodation in Picton

Indulge in timeless elegance and Victorian charm at one of Picton’s finest historical villas. Built in 1886, Sennen House Boutique Accommodation is a two-storey colonial villa featuring two self-contained apartments for ultimate privacy. You know you’ve arrived somewhere special when you wind down the paths of the beautifully manicured gardens beneath a protected native forest alive with birdsong. Yet, this luxury villa is a mere kilometre from Picton town centre along with its eateries. You won’t have to worry about breakfast, however, as a generous array of provisions is provided.

Check the Sennen House Boutique Accommodation out:

11. Parklands Marina Holiday Park – Picton Accommodation in Waikawa Bay

For a holiday park in Picton with more accommodation options, choose Parklands Marina Holiday Park. The peaceful holiday park set in Waikawa Bay offers tent and powered sites, as well as budget cabins and self-contained units. The one-bedroom units sleep up to four people but only some have a kitchen and bedding is not included but available for hire. Alternatively, the self-contained units all have a kitchen and bedding is provided. The holiday park is a fantastic choice for budgeting families, with a playground and barbecue area on site.

Check Parklands Marina Holiday Park out:

12. A Sea View B&B – Waterfront Accommodation Between Picton and Waikawa

You don’t have to go too far off the beaten track to experience glorious views near Picton. A Sea View B&B is tucked away on the road between Picton and Waikawa, boasting an enviable position on the coastal hills of the Queen Charlotte Sound. This is a choice particularly ideal for couples, as there are many places to enjoy a romantic sunset drink together between the hidden gazebo seating area down a garden pathway or the deck just outside your room. Guests are also welcome to use the complimentary bicycles and kayaks to further explore the area.

Check A Sea View B&B out:

A Sea View B&B on Booking.com

13. Boathouse Apartments – Upscale Apartments by the Picton Marina

With the design factor that can’t help but “wow”, the Boathouse Apartments is certainly a worthy choice for discerning travellers. The nautical boathouse theme is done tastefully throughout, from the architecture to the works of art on display. It’s all the more fitting knowing that your way into town from these one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments is along the shores of the Picton Marina. While there’s free on-site parking available, your hosts can arrange a complimentary ferry transfer if needed.

Check Boathouse Apartments out:

Boathouse Apartments on Booking.com

14. Palmira Lodge – Waikawa Bay Lodge with Free Ferry Transfers

An affordable retreat in Waikawa, Palmira Lodge offers an endearing stay just 5 km (3 miles) from Picton. Stay in one of the ensuite guest rooms with characterful decor and access to a wealth of shared facilities for your convenience and enjoyment. The lodge features an outdoor pool and spa pool, direct access to an undercover balcony or patio ideal for watching the sunset, and a shared fully equipped kitchen to prepare your own meals. Palmira Lodge also makes getting there easy with ferry and train transfers available.

Check Palmira Lodge out:

15. Broadway Motel – Popular Motel in Picton Town Centre

The Broadway Motel provides a motel/hotel hybrid stay with services like breakfast delivery and many rooms with basic kitchenette facilities where a hotplate is available from the office. The motel strives to have something for everyone, including families, couples, business travellers and even honeymooners in their “Honeymoon Suite”. Rooms are affordable, semi-contemporary and feature free WiFi, five Sky TV channels and air-conditioning.

Check Broadway Motel out:

16. Seaview Apartment – Central Holiday Home in Picton

For travellers seeking privacy and a special home-away-from-home experience, Seaview Apartment might just speak to you. Located five minutes drive from the ferry terminal yet feels miles away from anywhere, Seaview Apartment provides a tranquil retreat and a private space for couples and groups of four. The apartment boasts a spacious lounge, a full kitchen with a bar, a stylishly designed bathroom and comfortable bedrooms. You can make the most of the harbour views from the conservatory leading onto a patio with a barbecue.

Check Seaview Apartment out:

17. Picton Accommodation Gateway Motel – Central Self-Catering Accommodation in Picton

Another motel worth considering in Picton is the Picton Accommodation Gateway Motel. Located on High Street, the Gateway Motel puts you in the centre of it all, yet you have your own space in one of the contemporary units or studios. Even your entry-level budget studio has a kitchenette, while you might also want to make use of the attractive grassy barbecue area in the centre of the motel. While most rooms need to be helped by artificial lighting, the decor is fresh and clean making it a pleasant place to relax after a ferry trip or excursion in the Marlborough Sounds. For more stays with kitchen facilities, take a look at the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Picton.

Check the Picton Accommodation Gateway Motel out:

18. Aldan Lodge – Pet-Friendly Accommodation in Picton with Spa Baths

Aldan Lodge provides private motel-style accommodation in a central location. The budget motel offers a few different options for couples and families/groups, from the basic “Petite Studio” to the “Two-Bedroom Spa Suite” for up to six guests. The split-level family units, private barbecue area, pet-friendly rooms and some rooms with a spa bath are all drawcards for the motel. Some of the suites are modernly decorated, while others need to catch up. Either way, they provide a great value stay in Picton. What’s more, guests get free WiFi, free parking and access to a car wash station.

Check Aldan Lodge out:

19. High Street Living Motel – Picton Accommodation Near the Ferry Terminal

“High Street Living” means you have one of the most central locations in Picton, where you can enjoy town views from the motel’s communal deck. This budget motel offers 10 units, four studios and six two-bedroom units including accessible units to suit the elderly and disabled. All rooms have very basic kitchenette facilities, but guests get a discount from the motel’s partner restaurant across the road. For more motels to compare, take a look at the 12 BEST Motels in Picton.

Check the High Street Living Motel out:

20. Lochmara Lodge – Waterfront Accommodation in the Marlborough Sounds

One of our last accommodations in the stunning Marlborough Sounds, Lochmara Lodge not only provides affordable accommodation but an experience. After a scenic boat trip to the lodge, which Lochmara provides, you’ll have time to explore the lodge’s network of trails, have a go on the flying fox, hire kayaks, dine at the restaurant and check out the underwater observatory. There is a range of units available, including twin rooms, double rooms and larger chalets ideal for families. Note that the lodge is closed in winter.

Check Lochmara Lodge out:

More About Hotels and Places to Stay in Picton

That’s it for our list of the best hotels and places to stay in Picton, but it’s by no means the end of our advice! Check out these articles to make the most of your stay in Picton:

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

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