20 BEST Hotels & Places to Stay in Whanganui 🛎️ [2024]

Where to Find the Best Hotels and Amazing Places to Stay in Whanganui

Looking for a place to stay in Whanganui city? Admittedly, Whanganui is more of a city of motels than hotels, but there are a few gems worth seeking out if you really want a hotel room. We’ll go through your options, as well as some alternative yet awesome places to stay, in this list of the best hotels in Whanganui.

Whanganui used to be one of the largest cities in New Zealand and the historic charm can be experienced through most of its hotels and hotel-like homesteads. As for alternative places to stay, choose from quaint B&Bs, waterfront holiday parks (some with glamping tents), and cute homestays and holiday homes for all.

For more advice on planning your trip to the riverside city, check out The Complete Guide to Whanganui.

1. Rutland Arms Inn – The Best Hotel in Whanganui

A central boutique hotel with a historical flair, the Rutland Arms Inn is a worthy hotel choice in Whanganui. The hotel suites are upstairs from an English-style bar and restaurant (that closes at 10.30 pm and has no live music – just so you know). Sleep on queen-size Posturepedic beds, admire your spacious room’s mix of period and contemporary furniture and indulge in some pampering with some ensuites featuring a spa bath.

Check Rutland Arms Inn out:

2. The Avenue Hotel – Hotel with a Pool in Whanganui

Whanganui’s premier international hotel, The Avenue Hotel, formerly the Kingsgate Avenue Hotel is a top choice for the frequent hotel-goer. Stay in one of the affordable “Superior Rooms”, upgrade to a “Deluxe Room” with a private balcony or get your group or family together in a “Family Room” or the “Apartment” with a separate living area and kitchenette should you seek more space and amenities. The Avenue Hotel is a 10-minute walk from the city centre, yet you might find everything you need here at the on-site brewbar and restaurant, as well as at the outdoor swimming pool.

Check The Avenue Hotel out:

3. The Grand Hotel Wanganui – Cheap Hotel in Whanganui City Centre

Offering a central yet affordable stay in Whanganui, The Grand Hotel Wanganui is a good go-to for budget travellers. The historic hotel has been running since the 1920s and still retains some of its charm. All of the 50 rooms have ensuite bathrooms and come layouts such as single, queen and triple rooms with adjoining rooms for families. At the bottom of the building is a classic Kiwi tavern with pool tables, crowd-pleasing pub grub and pints of the good stuff. Check out more recommendations like this in the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in Whanganui.

Check The Grand Hotel Wanganui out:

4. Anndion Lodge Motel – Whanganui Motel with Hotel-Style Rooms

While the Anndion Lodge Motel might be, indeed, a motel, its king suites are much closer to that of hotel rooms. Their spacious sunny suites feature tiled ensuites with large showers, tea/coffee-making facilities and a TV. Alternatively, the motel has a generous range of family units with self-catering facilities. On-site is also a swimming pool and spa pool, as well as a restaurant for functions only. If a motel is more your style, be sure to head to the 15 BEST Motels in Whanganui.

Check Anndion Lodge Motel out:

5. 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. Indeed, it’s essentially a hotel!

Check 151 On London Motel out:

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

6. Whanganui River TOP 10 Holiday Park – Family-Friendly Accommodation by the Whanganui River

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. With plenty of family-friendly recreational activities, the holiday park is a top choice for families, which we also feature in the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Whanganui.

Check Whanganui River TOP 10 Holiday Park out:

7. Braemar House – Hostel and B&B Accommodation in Whanganui

This hostel and bed & breakfast accommodation is located on the banks of the Whanganui River, well within walking distance from the city centre. At Braemar House, choose from one of the seven B&B rooms with ensuites and an upscale lounge and dining area or one of the hostel rooms with a mix of male dorms, female dorms and private rooms, also with their own communal kitchen, lounge and laundry facilities. For more hostels across the city, check out the 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Whanganui.

Check Braemar House out:

8. STUDIO @ 91 – B&B Studio with a Pool

A sleepout with a private pool? Yes, please! Get an upscale bed & breakfast experience at STUDIO @ 91. This cute studio for one or two is set 20 m (66 ft) behind your host’s house, so it’s nice and private, allowing guests to relax among the landscaped gardens and by the pool at their leisure. The studio has contemporary fixings and furniture, including a TV with Chromecast. Breakfast is included in your stay and you’re only a 20-minute walk from the city centre. What’s more, this studio is very reasonably priced! Check out more cute stays for couples in the 10 Most Romantic Accommodations in Whanganui.

Check STUDIO @ 91 out:

STUDIO @ 91 on Booking.com

9. Durie Vale Retreat – Whanganui Holiday Home with Breakfast Included

One of the most well-presented family holiday homes in Whanganui is Durie Vale Retreat. This three-bedroom holiday home on the slopes of Durie Hill is not only a lovingly furnished and modernly renovated cottage but boasts a glorious position surrounded by native bush with views over Whanganui. Enjoy a barbecue on your elevated deck, make use of the free bikes on offer, and stay connected with free WiFi. What’s more, a full continental breakfast is included in your stay.

Check Durie Vale Retreat out:

10. 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:

11. Kings Court Motel – Accessible Accommodation 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 Kings Court Motel out:

12. The Signal Box – Unique Accommodation in Whanganui

A beautifully restored railway signal box that has been relocated to the banks of the Whanganui River, The Signal Box accommodation offers a unique and tranquil stay just outside of Whanganui city. You are the exclusive guests at this accommodation, with attractive gardens to explore with free-range chickens, fruit trees and the Whanganui River on your doorstep. Make use of the basic kitchenware to prepare meals for a quiet night in, where tea and coffee are also included. For things to do nearby, check out the 9 Must-Do Stops on the Whanganui River Road.

Check The Signal Box out:

13. Whanganui Seaside Holiday Park – Accommodation by Castlecliff Beach

If you’re more of a beach-lover, check out the Whanganui Seaside Holiday Park with a playground, flying fox, basketball court, skate park, swimming pool and, of course, Castlecliff Beach to keep the whole family entertained. Stay in one of the self-contained holiday homes (baches) or flats with everything you need for a smooth beach getaway at your fingertips or camp in the tent or powered sites making use of the communal bathrooms and kitchen. See more like this in the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in Whanganui.

Check Whanganui Seaside Holiday Park out:

14. A Bit of New York in Whanganui – Homestay in Whanganui

Another type of accommodation to consider for your stay in Whanganui is a homestay. One of the top-rated options is “A Bit of New York in Whanganui“, where you can enjoy as much or as little interaction with your welcoming host as you please. There is just one double room available, while the home’s tidy and modern kitchen (with breakfast included) and comfortable lounge are free for guests to use. We also like the sunny deck overlooking a stream.

Check A Bit of New York in Whanganui out:

15. ASURE Cooks Gardens Motor Lodge – Whanganui Accommodation 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:

16. Browns Boutique Bed and Breakfast – Boutique Accommodation in Whanganui

Stay in a gracious historical home, built in 1910, but with modern touches at the Browns Boutique Bed & Breakfast. Tranquillity is key here with exclusively two guest rooms decorated with art and furniture made by local artists, as well as quirky finds handpicked from local antique and op shops. One of the queen rooms boasts a gorgeous freestanding bath, while both have private entrances into the beautiful gardens where you can enjoy views of Mt Ruapehu from the B&B’s elevated position. Needless to say, breakfast is included and is the main event with a menu ranging from French crepes to a free-range cooked breakfast. For more upscale stays like this, take a look at the 7 Best Luxury Accommodations in Whanganui.

Check Browns Boutique Bed & Breakfast out:

17. 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.

Check Riverview Motel out:

18. Arles Historical Homestead – Popular Holiday Home Near the Whanganui River

Travellers looking for their own space should take a look at the Arles Historical Homestead. The two-bedroom holiday home is one of the original homesteads in Whanganui, nestled in botanical gardens with information signs on the trees and walkways to enjoy. The decor enhances the country charm of the home while being on its own quiet grounds where it’s easy to find peace and tranquillity. The holiday home is a little out of town, but just a five-minute drive from all the main attractions and city centre.

Check Arles Historical Homestead out:

Arles Historical Homestead on Booking.com

19. Burwood Motel – Self-Contained Accommodation 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:

20. Bushy Park Historical Homestead – Character B&B at the Bushy Park Wildlife Sanctuary

For something a little different, try the Bushy Park Historical Homestead. Nestled in the grounds of a 100-ha (250-acre) wildlife sanctuary, the character accommodation offers twin, triple and queen rooms with intricate wood panelling, open fireplaces, bay windows and antique furniture. Guests can order meals to dine in the dining room or out on the deck and enjoy a nightcap in front of the cosy fireplace in the lounge. Learn more about visiting the Bushy Park Wildlife Sanctuary in the 10 Best Things to Do in Whanganui.

Check Bushy Park Historical Homestead out:

Bushy Park Historical Homestead on Booking.com

More About Hotels 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:

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

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 [2024])
Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])

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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