Where to Find the Best Motel Accommodations in Whanganui
Like most Kiwi towns, Whanganui is a city of motels! Ideal for travellers seeking privacy with self-catering facilities, Whanganui’s motels come in a range of quality and prices. You’ll find budget motels alongside the Whanganui River, while there are also more lavish offerings with spa baths and more contemporary decor and furnishings. Find one to suit you and your group with this list of the best motels in Whanganui.
For more travel advice for the riverside city, check out The Complete Guide to Whanganui and the 10 Best Things to Do in Whanganui.
1. Siena Motor Lodge – The Best Motel in Whanganui
Clean, comfortable, affordable and located on Whanganui’s main street, Siena Motor Lodge ticks all the boxes for many travellers. The motel is ideal for couples, solo travellers and groups of three across its various grades of studios and one-bedroom suites. All rooms have a kitchenette with a hob and cooking facilities for preparing simple meals, while hot drinks and plunger coffee are included in your room to kickstart your morning. Guests also have access to an extensive DVD library, Sky TV and WiFi.
Check Siena Motor Lodge out:
![10 Best Motels in Whanganui 🏘️ [2023]](https://nzpocketguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/59233696.jpg)
2. Kings Court Motel – Family-Friendly and Accessible Motel in Whanganui
Kings Court Motel offers an affordable and convenient stay in Whanganui thanks to their well-priced studios and one-bedroom units that sleep two to five guests. The family-friendly motel with solely ground-floor units is ideally located right in the centre of the city. The units might have basic decor and fixings, but the plunger coffee, biscuits, Sky TV and a full kitchen in each unit make a nice touch. Check out more like this in the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Whanganui.
Check Kings Court Motel out:

3. ASURE Cooks Gardens Motor Lodge – Whanganui Motel with Spa Baths
For travellers looking for some pampering, check out the ASURE Cooks Gardens Motor Lodge where all one- and two-bedroom units feature a spa bath in the ensuite. The apartments have full self-catering facilities, while the motel’s king, queen and twin studios have a microwave and hot drink-making facilities. The motel units are basic in their decor but comfortable enough thanks to the spacious room sizes.
Check ASURE Cooks Gardens Motor Lodge out:
- ASURE Cooks Gardens Motor Lodge on Booking.com
- ASURE Cooks Gardens Motor Lodge on Trip.com
- ASURE Cooks Gardens Motor Lodge on Expedia

4. Riverview Motel – Cheap Motel in Whanganui
Finally, if looking for budget accommodation in Whanganui, check out the Riverview Motel. Located along the Whanganui River boardwalk, the motel features studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, some with a spa bath. Rooms are basic but convenient with cooking facilities, a shower ensuite and free WiFi. The motel is particularly good for groups and families with their family units sleeping up to six. See more like this in the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in Whanganui.
Check Riverview Motel out:

5. Gateway Motor Lodge – Wanganui – Motel Near Whanganui Hospital
Offering an alternative location in Whanganui, Gateway Motor Lodge is located just off the main highway between the hospital and Whanganui’s sports grounds. Don’t worry about the noise, as this motel has double glazing providing great soundproofing. Rooms, which consist of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, are well presented with modern decor, linen and recliner chairs. Some rooms are more recently refurbished than others but most have some sort of self-catering facilities.
Check Gateway Motor Lodge out:

6. BK’s Magnolia Motor Lodge – Whanganui Motel on Victoria Avenue
Stay a little closer to town, within walking distance of the city centre, at BK’s Magnolia Motor Lodge. Across the 16 ground-floor units, you’ll find a variety of studios, one-bedroom units and interconnected rooms to make two-bedroom units. All units have tea/coffee-making facilities, a toaster, microwave and fridge, while larger units have cooking hobs. You’ll also find some units with spa baths. The motel offers complimentary laundry facilities, off-street parking and WiFi.
Check BK’s Magnolia Motor Lodge out:
- BK’s Magnolia Motor Lodge on Booking.com
- BK’s Magnolia Motor Lodge on Trip.com
- BK’s Magnolia Motor Lodge on Expedia

7. 151 On London Motel – Upscale Motel with a Gym and Cafe
A contemporary motel in the suburbs of Whanganui, 151 On London Motel is one of Whanganui’s larger motels with economy rooms, studios, one- and two-bedroom suites, a honeymoon/executive suite and more. All rooms feature free unlimited WiFi, a kitchenette with plunger coffee and breakfast-making facilities, smart TVs and soundproofed walls. Some of the suites also have hotplates and an electric frypan. Guests can enjoy access to an on-site gym, cafe, barbecue area, laundry room, a large children’s playground and more. It’s essentially a hotel! Check out similar properties in our 20 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Whanganui.
Check 151 On London Motel out:

8. Burwood Motel – Self-Contained Motel in Whanganui
Burwood Motel, or Burwood Manor, has everything you need for a fully functional stay in Whanganui with all rooms containing a kitchen, ensuite and, of course, free WiFi! Keep warm in the studios and one-bedroom units with electric blankets and heating. Rooms sleep two to three guests, while some studios are interconnected for groups and families. The motel also offers cooked and continental breakfasts, as well as facilities for travellers of business.
Check Burwood Motel out:

9. Aotea Motor Lodge – Luxury Motel in Whanganui
One of the most luxurious motels in Whanganui is Aotea Motor Lodge. Unwind with studios and apartments featuring two-person spa baths and rooms decorated with specially chosen timber furniture and modern fixings. In your kitchenette, you have tea and plunger coffee, while amenities like free WiFi and Sky TV are also included. Guests get free access to the local gym, as well as the convenience of being located on Whanganui’s main road. Compare this accommodation with others in the 7 Best Luxury Accommodations in Whanganui.
Check Aotea Motor Lodge out:

10. Te Awa Motel – Motel in Putiki
Te Awa Motel might be just a little out of town, taking about 20 minutes to walk to the city centre, but it at least keeps things simple with just two affordable room types to choose from. The one-bedroom units feature two single beds in the bedroom and a queen bed in the lounge with an ensuite and a kitchenette with hot drinks and milk provided. Alternatively, the “Comfort Cabin” has a queen bed in the main room with a larger open-plan kitchen, lounge and dining area and a separate bedroom with a bunk bed and a single bed. Both room types are reasonably priced and tastefully furnished.
Check Te Awa Motel out:

11. Astral Motel – Cheap Motel with Free Bikes
One of the best-priced motels in town, Astral Motel has 15 compact but comfortable ground-floor units located right by the Whanganui River. The standard studios are ideal for couples or groups of three with tea/coffee-making facilities, while the kitchen units have self-catering facilities. There are also family units available with cot and highchair hire if needed. The motel offers free use of bicycles, making getting into town along the riverside cycleway a lot quicker.
Check Astral Motel out:
![10 Best Motels in Whanganui 🏘️ [2023]](https://nzpocketguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Astral-Motel.jpg)
12. Riverside Motel – Self-Catering Motel in Whanganui
A classic motel along the Whanganui River, Riverside Motel offers an affordable stay for the non-fussy traveller. Enjoy the convenience of a full kitchen including an oven across all room types, which include standard queen rooms, family rooms and more spacious suites. All rooms have a river view, as well as free WiFi in the communal areas and off-street parking.
Check Riverside Motel out:
![10 Best Motels in Whanganui 🏘️ [2023]](https://nzpocketguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Riverside-Motel.jpg)
13. Coachman’s Lodge Motel – Pet-Friendly Motel in Whanganui
No matter your group size or your budget, you’re bound to find something to suit at the Coachman’s Lodge Motel. The affordable double and twin rooms are ideal for solo travellers, couples and even groups of four, while the two-bedroom split-level apartments have everything you need to sleep up to seven guests. Units feature small open-plan kitchens with an oven, helping you save money on food, while an ensuite bathroom is also included. The motel is located beside the Whanganui Racecourse and is a 20-minute walk from the city centre.
Check Coachman’s Lodge Motel out:
![10 Best Motels in Whanganui 🏘️ [2023]](https://nzpocketguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Coachmans-Lodge-Motel.jpg)
14. Whanganui River TOP 10 Holiday Park – Motel Units by the Whanganui River
Don’t rule out Whanganui’s holiday parks when looking for motel units in Whanganui! Wake up with a morning kayak on the river, cool off in the swimming pool in summer, and stay in affordable cabins and motel units at the Whanganui River TOP 10 Holiday Park. There is a wide range of accommodation options here, including glamping tents, camping sites, basic cabins with shared facilities and motel-style units with private kitchens and bathrooms. Thanks to its glamping tents, we also list this one in the 10 Most Romantic Accommodations in Whanganui.
Check Whanganui River TOP 10 Holiday Park out:
- Whanganui River TOP 10 Holiday Park on Booking.com
- Whanganui River TOP 10 Holiday Park on Trip.com
- Whanganui River TOP 10 Holiday Park on Expedia
![10 Best Motels in Whanganui 🏘️ [2023]](https://nzpocketguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Whanganui-River-TOP-10-Holiday-Park-2.jpg)
15. Whanganui Seaside Holiday Park – Motel Units at Castlecliff Beach
Stay in an alternative part of Whanganui: by the beach at the Whanganui Seaside Holiday Park! With a playground, flying fox, basketball court, skate park, swimming pool and Castlecliff Beach, the holiday park is certainly a top pick for families. No matter what type of traveller you are, however, you’ll find affordable accommodation in one of the self-contained baches (holiday homes), similar to motel units, or flats with private kitchen and bathroom facilities at your fingertips. Alternatively, camp in a tent or powered sites and make use of the communal bathrooms and kitchen.
Check Whanganui Seaside Holiday Park out:
- Whanganui Seaside Holiday Park on Booking.com
- Whanganui Seaside Holiday Park on Trip.com
- Whanganui Seaside Holiday Park on Expedia
![10 Best Motels in Whanganui 🏘️ [2023]](https://nzpocketguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Whanganui-Seaside-Holiday-Park-1.jpg)
More About Motels in Whanganui
That’s it for our list of the best motels in Whanganui, but it’s by no means the end of our advice! Check out more guides to help you plan the perfect trip to Whanganui city:
- 20 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Whanganui
- 15 Best Things to Do in Whanganui
- 10 Best Things to Do in the Whanganui National Park
And if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to Whanganui.

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.