9 Best Luxury Accommodations in Gisborne 🍸 [2023]

Where to Find Luxury Hotels, Lodges and B&Bs in Gisborne

Gisborne might be a lesser-known city tucked away on the East Cape of the North Island, but it still offers a little bit of everything to those seeking premium accommodation. It has boutique B&B accommodation, international-style hotels, an upmarket beachfront motel and even luxury beachfront glamping. Find a unique place to stay out east with this list of the best luxury accommodations in Gisborne.

And don’t forget to browse The Luxury Guide to Gisborne and the 8 Luxury Activities in Gisborne to plan the rest of your trip.

1. Cedar House

Retreat to this boutique B&B set in a quiet residential suburb of Gisborne. Cedar House is a historic character home with just four guest rooms all decorated with elegance to keep the historic charm without sacrificing modern living. Each morning you’ll be treated to a continental breakfast in the dining room, while hot drinks and complimentary refreshments are always available to keep you going throughout your stay. Booking yourself in for an in-room massage and doing a few laps in the outside swimming pool are just a couple of more ways to relax at this luxury boutique accommodation.

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2. Portside Hotel – Heritage Collection

A boutique hotel by the Heritage Collection, the Portside Hotel offers incredible river and ocean views from their luxurious suites. Rooms range from two-person studios to two-bedroom suites, making there a place to stay for solo travellers on business to families on holiday. With each room boasting at least a kitchenette, you’ll get the conveniences of home combined with the luxuries of an international-standard hotel. When you’re not basking in the ocean views from your suite’s windows or balcony, make use of the on-site lap pool and keep in shape at the fitness centre. See more stays large enough for a tribe like this in the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Gisborne.

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4. Whispering Sands Beachfront Motel

While motels aren’t the first thought when it comes to luxury accommodation, the Whispering Sands Beachfront Motel might just change the way you think about motels forever. Nowhere else in Gisborne can you enjoy the absolute beachfront location like the Whispering Sands, where you can watch the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean from your glass sliding doors. Ask for one of the recently renovated apartments to a enjoy beautifully presented private kitchen, bathroom and spacious living area. See how the Whispering Sands compared with other motels in the 10 Best Motels in Gisborne.

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5. Matawhero Wines

Stay amongst the vines in a luxury cabin with Matawhero Wines. Just a 10-minute drive out of Gisborne, yet next door to one of the region’s premium cellar doors, this luxury accommodation allows you to enjoy a platter and wine tasting on your own private deck. Villas come in studio and one-bedroom layouts with an ensuite and kitchenette, yet they are all uniquely styled with contemporary elegance. What’s more, a continental breakfast is included in your stay. For more stays ideal for couples, check out the 10 Best Romantic Accommodations in Gisborne.

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Matawhero Wines on Booking.com

6 Best Luxury Accommodations in Gisborne 🍸 [2023]

6. The Quarters Ocean-View Chalet

Perched on the hills behind Okitu Beach, The Quarters Ocean-View Chalet offers one of the most unique upscale holiday homes in the Gisborne area. Ideal for couples, this high-roof chalet has everything you need for a convenient stay, such as a kitchen, laundry machines and WiFi, while the added luxuries of the sun-filled studio with floor-to-ceiling windows offer a glorious touch. Breakfast is an optional extra. Check out more stays with excellent kitchen facilities in the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Gisborne.

Check The Quarters Ocean-View Chalet out:

The Quarters Ocean-View Chalet on Booking.com

7. Tatapouri Bay

Tatapouri Bay shows us that camping doesn’t have to be about roughing it up. In fact, the upscale holiday park offers affordable luxury in their glamping tents and “Zen Cabins” moments away from the sandy shores. In between unwinding in the traditional Finnish sauna, lapping up the views from the timber tub spa pool and indulging in your morning coffee at the container cafe, retreat to your two- or four-person glamping tent kitted out with a luxurious queen bed with plush bedding and USB outlets to charge your devices. Alternatively, the Zen Cabins can’t help but evoke peace with the polished timber-lined interiors and tastefully-selected kitchenware to make up your fully-equipped kitchen. Unlike elsewhere in the holiday park, you’ll have your own bathroom and private deck to enjoy the ocean views.

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8. Marina View Apartments

Set yourself up for a true home-away-from-home experience at the Marina View Apartments. At this apartment complex on the banks of the Turanganui River, enjoy the views over the marina and out to Young Nicks Head from your one-, two- or three-bedroom apartment with a balcony. All apartments are well-appointed with leather furniture, an ensuite with a shower and a bath, a home theatre system and a contemporary open-plan kitchen. On the grounds are also a swimming pool, fitness centre and underground parking.

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9. Emerald Hotel

Another effortless hotel stay in Gisborne, the Emerald Hotel offers well-appointed rooms with a range of layouts to suit most guests’ needs. Surrounding a central swimming pool courtyard, the 48 suites are set up for a short stay with standard amenities like a TV, free WiFi, an ensuite, hot drink-making facilities, etc. On the other hand, the fourth-floor apartments also include a fully-equipped kitchen and two separate bedrooms, should you be staying longer. Not only are you in a city centre position to enjoy the restaurants of Gisborne (check out our recommendations in The Food Guide to Gisborne), but the on-site bistro serves impeccably presented plates with the likes of braised New Zealand lamb shank to Thai green curry that’s worth a try at least once. See more like this in the 10 Best Hotels in Gisborne.

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More Luxury Accommodations in Gisborne

That’s it for our list of the best luxury accommodations in Gisborne. 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 Luxury Travel Guide to Gisborne.

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

9 Best Luxury Accommodations in Gisborne 🍸 [2023]

Where to Find Luxury Hotels, Lodges and B&Bs in Gisborne