20 BEST Motels in Te Anau 🏘️ [2023]

Where to Find Motel Accommodation in Te Anau

Yes, there is no lack of motels in Te Anau. In fact, the choice is a little overwhelming when looking for a base on the edge of the majestic Fiordland National Park. Ah, but don’t worry, as we’ve put together this handy little list of some of our top picks when it comes to motels in Te Anau, including stylish and modern motels that give you bang for your buck. Check them out in this list of Te Anau motels.

While you’re here, find alternative accommodation in the 20 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Te Anau, as well as activities in the 15 Best Things to Do in Fiordland.

1. Lakeside Motel & Apartments – The Best Motel in Te Anau

Let’s start with a motel in Te Anau that ticks all of the boxes: convenient yet idyllic location by the town and lake, rooms for all types of travellers and reasonable prices! Lakeside Motel & Apartments offers studio rooms, and one, two and three-bedroom apartments, all with self-catering facilities and free WiFi. Apartments come with a kitchen, bathroom, a choice of lake or garden view, as well as luxurious extras like underfloor heating.

Check Lakeside Motel & Apartments out:

2. Aden Motel – Upscale (& Pet-Friendly) Motel in Te Anau

Another fantastic and affordable motel in Te Anau, Aden Motel provides self-contained motel units from budget twin or single rooms to full apartments. There’s plenty of space for families with a kids’ playground, spacious gardens and a barbecue area while being only 15 minutes walk from the town centre. Plus, stay entertained and connected with free WiFi and satellite TV in each room. Pets are welcome in some rooms too.

Check Aden Motel out:

3. Radfords on the Lake – Luxury Motel in Te Anau

An eco-friendly luxury escape awaits at Radfords on the Lake. Stay in superbly-appointed apartments and suites for couples, small groups and families. Each motel-style room features a small kitchenette, Sky TV, free WiFi, plunger coffee and other hot drinks and provides access to free bike hire and free use of laundry facilities. Hire a DVD and the money is donated to the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary. For more upscale stays like this, head to the 10 Best Luxury Accommodations in Te Anau.

Check Radfords on the Lake out:

4. Lakefront Lodge – Motel-Style Accommodation with Spa Baths

Modern, stylish and right by the lake, the Lakefront Lodge is an excellent choice of motel-style accommodation in Te Anau. The “Studio Units” provide a comfortable stay for couples, while the collection of one-bedroom motel units are the best choice for families or small groups 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. There’s even the option to upgrade for a pampering session in the “Standard One Bedroom Spa Bath”.

Check Lakefront Lodge out:

5. Annies on Milford – Modern Motel with Spacious Rooms

The new kid on the block, Annies on Milford makes motel living a little more stylish with its range of superbly-appointed studios and apartments. Choose from studio suites for solo travellers or couples to two-bedroom apartments for groups, all well-positioned to make the most of the spacious grounds and mountain views. The grounds aren’t the only thing that’s spacious, as all of the rooms here are larger-than-the-average in Te Anau.

Check Annies on Milford out:

Annies on Milford on Booking.com

6. Alpine View Motel – Family-Friendly Motel in Te Anau

Affordable and comfortable, Alpine View Motel offers rooms for couples, small groups and families. Each studio and unit has at least a kitchenette and an ensuite, with room highlights being the affordable “One-Bedroom Unit” with a lounge for families, while the “Three-Bedroom Unit” ensures everyone gets their own space. But space is never too hard to find with the motel having its own spacious lawn, a barbecue area and being situated just 100m (328 miles) away from the lakefront. What’s more, you’re mere moments away from the town centre. For more of our top recommendations for families, see the 10 Family Accommodations in Te Anau.

Check Alpine View Motel out:

7. Fiordland Lakeview Motel and Apartments – The Best Motel in Te Anau for Couples

These contemporary apartments overlooking Lake Te Anau are some of the sleekest in town (or a 10-minute walk from town, should we say). With most studios being adults-only at Fiordland Lakeview Motel and Apartments, it’s the ideal choice for couples or those looking for a more tranquil retreat. You have all of the essentials at your fingertips, including cooking facilities where you can choose to dine inside or out on your balcony or patio. Some of the “Deluxe” rooms also have a cute wee fish tank to mesmerise you throughout the night. For more stays with couple-friendly rooms, check out the 10 Most Romantic Accommodations in Te Anau.

Check Fiordland Lakeview Motel and Apartments out:

8. Bella Vista Motel Te Anau – Cheap Motel in Te Anau

The popular motel chain, Bella Vista, also has a presence in Te Anau. The motel is the closest motel to the town centre offering unbeatable convenience, yet offers a range of simplistically stylish rooms. Choose from budget-friendly “Compact Queen Studios” to the more spacious “One-Bedroom Apartment” sleeping up to four guests, and everything in between. Facilities include free WiFi, a barbecue area, breakfast available and some rooms have a spa bath. See more recommendations like this in our list of the 15 Best Budget Accommodations in Te Anau.

Check Bella Vista Motel Te Anau out:

9. Anchorage Motel Apartments – Te Anau Motel with Hot Tubs

An environmentally-conscious motel with 14 units, Anchorage Motel Apartments is an excellent choice of motel in Te Anau. As part of the Southland Sustainable Tourism Project, the motel has practices to conserve water and reduce energy and waste. All accommodation at the motel is self-contained including a “Studio” with a kitchenette (and perhaps a luxurious outdoor cedar hot tub), while the “One- and Two-Bedroom Units” have more space for groups and families. The location is moments away from the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre and the lakefront.

Check Anchorage Motel Apartments out:

10. ASURE Explorer Motel & Apartments – Upscale Motel with Attractive Gardens

Ease into holiday mode among the picturesque park-like ground of ASURE Explorer Motel & Apartments. You can’t go too wrong here with 16 attractive and modernly uplifted studios and apartments and something to suit families, couples and even groups of three. All kitchens are well-equipped and feature welcome additions like a coffee plunger and rice cooker, while summer days are best spent in the undercover barbecue area where there’s plenty of space to relax in the expansive gardens.

Check ASURE Explorer Motel & Apartments out:

11. Red Tussock Motel – Affordable Motel on the Lakefront

A range of budgets is seen to at the Red Tussock Motel. The standard studios and “2-Bedroom Retro” are your most affordable options, offering something for couples up to groups of six guests. There are “Deluxe” options in the upgraded part of the property should you prefer. Whatever you choose, you’ll still have access to well-maintained and functional facilities like a kitchen/kitchenette, an ensuite, a heater and plenty of space to make yourself at home. The attractive gardens and units are just across the road from the Department of Conservation Visitor Centre and a 10-minute walk from the town centre.

Check Red Tussock Motel out:

12. Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels (Marakura Deluxe Motel) – Holiday Accommodation with Motel Units

There is no lack of holiday parks in Te Anau, each offering some sort of motel-style accommodation within the complex. A great example is Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park, which is also home to the Marakura Deluxe Motel. Enjoy expansive views of Lake Te Anau from either your “Studio Motel” for couples, “Family Motel” for one to seven guests, or one of the “Deluxe Studio Motels” with some of the best views of the lake. Wherever you decide to stay, you’ll be able to benefit from the holiday park amenities, from a sauna/spa bath to a children’s playground. Free WiFi is also available. See more holiday park options on our list of the 6 Best Holiday Parks in Te Anau.

Check Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park out:

Check Marakura Deluxe Motel out:

13. Amber Court Motel – Affordable Motel in a Quiet Location

Ideal for couples or solo travellers looking for a stylish four-star motel or a group/family looking for great value, Amber Court Motel might just be the one. The motel has reasonably-priced “Super King Studios” with all the fixings including super king beds, 47″ TVs with Sky TV, kitchen facilities and free WiFi. Families will find ample space in the “Family One-Bedroom” with additional living and dining furniture to complete the home-away-from-home experience. What’s more, Amber Court Motel is located in a quiet corner of Te Anau, yet just a short walk away from the lakefront.

Check Amber Court Motel out:

14. Parklands Motel – Classic Motel with Affordable Rates

Step into a classic-style Kiwi motel along with views of the mountains and Te Anau Memorial Gardens. While Parklands Motel might not win any style points (depending on who you are, of course), the price is hard to beat for a private room with breakfast-making facilities or a kitchenette. Queen and twin units are available, as well as ultra-affordable family rooms. The motel has all the usual facilities, including a communal kitchen, barbecue area, free limited WiFi, playground and car wash area.

Check Parklands Motel out:

15. Dusky Motels – Stylish Motel Near the Te Anau Boat Harbour

On the other end of the spectrum, Dusky Motels is luxuriously modern with fresh decor and adorable furnishing to match – we love the house plants! Every unit, whether is a one-bedroom or two-bedroom suite, has all of the essential facilities but also some welcome additions including a plunger coffee and hot chocolate, plenty of sun, proximity to a children’s playground and a communal barbecue. Note that the managers are not on-site. However, they’re a quick call away if you need them.

Check Dusky Motels out:

Dusky Motels on Booking.com

16. Arran Motel – Underrated Motel in Te Anau

Ok, so this one isn’t on the lakefront but at least you’re sheltered from the lake breeze when you stay at the Arran Motel. Although not the most stylish on this list, the hosts are perfectly wonderful and the rooms perfectly spotless – of which you have studios and one- and two-bedroom units to choose from. Note that only the multi-bedroom units have full self-catering facilities, while the studios are a cheaper alternative with fewer essentials.

Check Arran Motel out:

17. Tasman Holiday Parks – Te Anau – Holiday Park with Motel Units and Sauna

Another fantastic holiday park in Te Anau with a fantastic lakefront location and motel units is the Tasman Holiday Parks – Te Anau. Although there are cabins and units with access to communal facilities, such as a kitchen, bathrooms and free gas barbecues, the experience is amped up with a stay in one of the self-contained apartments with its own outdoor area and barbecue. Other drawcards to Tasman Holiday Parks – Te Anau include the hot tubs overlooking Lake Te Anau, the “Hobbiton-inspired” barrel sauna, games room and children’s playground.

Check Tasman Holiday Parks – Te Anau out:

18. Te Anau Motel & Apartments – Self-Contained Motel in Te Anau

One of the latest additions to the Te Anau motel scene, Te Anau Motel & Apartments is another motel with an enviable position on the lakefront and within walking distance of town. All of the cottage-like motel units are kitted up for an independent stay for groups and families, but the affordable rates for fewer people staying per unit also make this worth considering for couples or solo travellers. You have all of the self-contained facilities you would expect from a motel, while some units have the addition of a corner spa bath and an oven. For more options with decent cooking facilities, check out the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Te Anau.

Check Te Anau Motel & Apartments out:

Te Anau Motel & Apartments on Booking.com

19. Edgewater Motel – Budget Motel in Te Anau

Located just mere moments away from the shores of Lake Te Anau, Edgewater Motel is an affordable motel in an excellent location. The motel offers units and apartments to suit a range of styles and budgets yet each room is modernly decorated and offers practical amenities such as a functional kitchenette, ensuite bathroom and lounge furniture. Most units sleep one to four people, while a holiday home is also available sleeping up to seven people. Guests can also make use of the free WiFi, free bike hire, an on-site barbecue and an outdoor picnic area.

Check Edgewater Motel out:

20. Manapouri Lakeview Motor Inn – Cheap Motel in Manapouri

Admittedly, this accommodation is not in Te Anau but is still worth considering when looking for accommodation in the area. Manapouri Lakeview Motor Inn is in Manapouri where trips to Doubtful Sound depart, only 15km (9 miles) away from Te Anau. The motel has a range of units and studios available to suit a range of budgets, from “Unserviced Units” (i.e. if you stay more than one night they don’t get refreshed) to “Deluxe King” rooms with a private balcony. An on-site cafe, free WiFi and a children’s playground are also available at this motel.

Check Manapouri Lakeview Motor Inn out:

More About Motels in Te Anau

That’s it for our list of the best motels 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.

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