15 BEST Motels in Whakatane & Ohope 🏘️ [2025]

Last Updated: 17 September, 2024

Where to Find the Best Motels in Whakatane and Ohope Beach

Whakatane might be a small town but it spoils you for choice when it comes to motels. From affordable motels with a swimming pool to lavish 4.5-star accommodations with spa baths in each unit, there’s a motel to suit most travellers’ budgets, needs and just pure wants. Location is key too, with most found in the town centre, but you’ll also find a few gems along Ohope Beach and near Whakatane’s protected reserves. So, find the right stay for you and your group with this list of the best motels in Whakatane and Ohope.

While you’re here, you might also like to plan some activities using the 15 Best Things to Do in Whakatane.

1. 37 The Landing Motel – The Best Motel in Whakatane

Setting the tone for the high quality of Whakatane’s motels, 37 The Landing Motel is contemporary, comfortable and warm. Featuring full double glazing (yes, that’s noteworthy in New Zealand), spa bathrooms with a separate shower, large beds with electric blankets and full cooking facilities, the units have all the essential amenities, and then some. Choose from an array of motel rooms, ranging from various grades of studios to lavish two-bedroom apartments for a real home away from home.

Check 37 The Landing Motel out:

2. Aquarius Motel – The Best Motel at Ohope Beach

Just 100m (109 yards) from Ohope Beach, Aquarius Motel is a great motel choice just a short drive from Whakatane town. The motel consists of seven family units and two studio units, making this more of an ideal stay for groups and families. All rooms have kitchen facilities, while the motel can even organise fishing trips if you want to go out and catch your own dinner.

Check Aquarius Motel out:

10 BEST Motels in Whakatane & Ohope ????️ [2023]

3. White Island Rendezvous – Whakatane Motel on The Strand

For many of the locals, the highlight of the White Island Rendezvous is the on-site cafe, but guests also love the stylish and modern motel units and romantic villas. The 4.5-star motel offers a convenient location close to the town’s shops, restaurants and boat tours, while the end of your day can be enjoyed in your spacious motel unit with layouts to suit just about all groups. See more like this in the 10 Best Romantic Accommodations in Whakatane & Ohope.

Check White Island Rendezvous out:

4. Ohope Beach Motel – Cheap Motel at Ohope Beach

For a wonderful location just across the road from Ohope Beach and even more wonderful prices, the Ohope Beach Motel is well worth considering. Choosing a unit here is easy, as all of them have a fully-equipped kitchen, Sky TV and WiFi – just choose one for your group size. You’ll find studio units for couples to the larger family and group units sleeping up to six. Kids enjoy borrowing the boogie boards to ride the Ohope Beach waves, while sunny days around the barbecue are another fun way to spend time here. See more like this in the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in Whakatane & Ohope.

Check Ohope Beach Motel out:

5. One88 on Commerce – Luxury Motel in Whakatane

Another upmarket motel in Whakatane, One88 on Commerce provides a comfortable town centre stay for even the most discerning traveller. Be pampered in one of the spa suites or one- or two-bedroom suites, each with a spa bath and separate shower. Prepare meals in your open-plan kitchen with a ceramic cooktop and dishwasher and kick back with a movie on your smart TV. We also list motels like this in the 10 Best Luxury Accommodations in Whakatane & Ohope.

Check One88 on Commerce out:

6. Livingston Motel – Whakatane Motel with Spa Pools

Enjoy a quiet and comfortable night at the Livingston Motel. After cooking up a meal in your well-equipped kitchen (minus an oven), be pampered in your unit’s spa bath. There are a variety of studio units available to suit a range of budgets, while groups and families have one- and two-bedroom units to enjoy with more space. Added touches like complimentary plunger coffee, tea or drinking chocolate are some of the bonuses to enjoy.

Check Livingston Motel out:

7. Amber Court Motel – Cheap Motel Between Whakatane and Ohope

Swap town centre bustle for a stay on the edge of town at the Amber Court Motel. Lining the edge of the Mokoroa Bush Reserve, the motel offers an alternative and tranquil location for your stay in Whakatane. You have the facilities you need within your unit to prepare breakfast and light meals, while the barbecue area in the stunning flower gardens is a nice way to enjoy some alfresco cooking with your loved ones or travel mates. There are studio rooms, various one-bedroom units, family units and access units available. Check out more motels with excellent cooking facilities in the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Whakatane & Ohope.

Check Amber Court Motel out:

8. Tourist Court Motel – Pet-Friendly Motel in Whakatane

One of Whakatane’s budget city-centre motels, the Tourist Court Motel offers some of the best rates. While it might not look anything special from the outside, the units on the inside are well-maintained with bright decor and facilities that you’re sure to find useful. All units, from the simple studios to the two-bedroom units, have self-catering facilities including nice little extras like plunger coffee, while the location and prices are a struggle to beat.

Check Tourist Court Motel out:

9. Alton Lodge Motel – Whakatane Motel with a Swimming Pool

Simple yet affordable, the Alton Lodge Motel is well worth considering for travellers looking for their own space at a decent price. All of the studios, twin studios and one- and two-bedroom units have full kitchens including hotplates, microwaves and ovens, so all of your meals are sorted. Units are warm thanks to the addition of heatpumps, while those needing to cool off will likely enjoy the swimming pool in summer.

Check Alton Lodge Motel out:

10. Cortez Motel – Whakatane Central Motel with a Pool

A popular stay for families, the Cortez Motel provides affordable units surrounding an outdoor swimming pool. Out of their 15 motel units, you’ll find various grades of studios for solo travellers to groups of three, as well as three family units. Some of the basic units have kitchenettes, while entertainment is made easy with free WiFi and Sky TV. The central location in Whakatane town centre and a short walk from the harbourfront is a bonus. See more like this in the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Whakatane & Ohope.

Check Cortez Motel out:

11. Tuscany Villas – Upscale Central Motel in Whakatane

Tuscany Villas is one of the more attractive motel offerings in Whakatane. The bright and modernly-decorated motel units not only come with a convenient kitchenette but also quality touches like a coffee plunger, free WiFi and Sky TV. What’s more, you’re just a short walk from the nearby restaurants and bars along the waterfront. Note that if paying on arrival, this motel only accepts credit cards for security reasons.

Check Tuscany Villas out:

12. Barringtons Motor Lodge – Popular Whakatane Motel on Landing Road

Barringtons Motor Lodge offers modern and spacious accommodation in Whakatane that is popular with business and holiday travellers. Free WiFi and breakfast delivery are some of the luxuries you can enjoy at the motel, while the “Corporate”, “Twin” and “Deluxe King Studios” are pretty irresistible. There are options to upgrade to units with spa baths and extra bedrooms if you want to treat yourself. Rooms are well-appointed with a small but useful kitchenette with plunger coffee, teas and biscuits to enjoy.

Check Barringtons Motor Lodge out:

13. Pacific Coast Motor Lodge – Whakatane Motel with Spa Baths

Treat yourself to the modern luxuries of the Pacific Coast Motor Lodge. The town centre motel sets the right tone on arrival with palm trees and a water feature at its entrance. On the inside, you have modern studios with everything you need for a relaxing night in, from a two-person spa bath to a refreshing morning with plunger coffee, hot chocolates and teas in the room and cooked breakfast available for delivery.

Check Pacific Coast Motor Lodge out:

14. The Com Plex Motel – The Newest Motel in Whakatane

Boasting striking modern architecture and features like an on-site restaurant, you can be forgiven for feeling like you’re staying at an upmarket hotel rather than a motel. The Com Plex Motel offers an array of studios and suites, some catering up to four people, with minimalistic crowd-pleasing decor and modern ensuite bathrooms and a small kitchenette with breakfast-making facilities. For more hotel-style stays, check out the 10 Best Hotels in Whakatane & Ohope.

Check The Com Plex Motel out:

15. Ohope Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park – Holiday Park with Motel Units in Ohope

Don’t dismiss holiday parks when looking for motels in Whakatane and Ohope, especially the Ohope Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park! It is the ultimate summer hotspot thanks to its beachfront location and accommodation to suit just about any traveller, from budget cabins to self-contained motel units. The holiday park is most popular with families thanks to its swimming pool with hydro slides, jumping pillow, games room, beach volleyball, tennis/basketball court, kids’ club, mini-golf and the list goes on. While there’s a communal kitchen and rooms with private kitchens, there’s also a cafe on-site operating in summer so you don’t have to venture too far for a morning espresso.

Check Ohope Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park out:

More Motels in Whakatane and Ohope Beach

That’s it for our list of the best motels in Whakatane and Ohope Beach. For more places to stay, as well as things to do, check out these recommendations:

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

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.

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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