Choosing the best motels in Wellington comes down to what you need from a base: a kitchenette and a car park, a two bedroom unit for the family, or a ground floor room within sight of the hospital. The motels in Wellington below all run self-contained units with cooking facilities, daily servicing and off-street parking, spread between Majoribanks Street, Te Aro, Mount Cook and Newtown. Apollo Lodge Motel and Marksman Motor Inn sit closest to Courtenay Place, while the Newtown options put Wellington Hospital and the zoo within a short walk.
1Apollo Lodge Motel & Majoribanks Apartments
Apollo Lodge Motel runs 42 motel units and 15 serviced apartments across three properties on Majoribanks Street, at the top of Courtenay Place. The range runs from queen and king studios through to two bedroom family units, apartments in an Edwardian house at number 38, and a self-contained cottage across the road from the motel. It suits travellers who want the entertainment district, Te Papa and Oriental Bay within walking distance and still want to cook their own breakfast.
Services
- Queen, king, twin and large studio units with kitchenettes
- One, two and three bedroom family units, some with full kitchens
- Serviced apartments in an Edwardian house at 38 Majoribanks Street
- A self-contained cottage sleeping up to four, with its own courtyard and laundry
- Ground floor studio and one bedroom units for guests avoiding stairs
Highlights
- 42 motel units and 15 apartments across three Majoribanks Street addresses
- Free unlimited fast WiFi in every unit, with daily servicing
- Free off-street parking on an availability basis, though camper vans are not catered for
- A minute’s walk from Courtenay Place, 3km from the Interislander ferry and 8km from the airport
Location & Contact
Name: Apollo Lodge Motel & Majoribanks Apartments
Address: 49 Majoribanks Street, Wellington
Phone: 04 385 1849
Website: apollolodge.nz
2Marksman Motor Inn
Marksman Motor Inn is a central Wellington motel on Sussex Street in Mount Cook, a short walk from the CBD and the Courtenay Place entertainment district. Accommodation runs from studios through to one and two bedroom family units, some with full kitchens, and every unit is serviced daily. Being close to the Interislander terminal and the main routes north, it suits guests breaking a journey as much as those in town for a few nights.
Services
- Studio units for short city stays
- One and two bedroom family units, some with full kitchens
- Continental and cooked breakfast available to order
- Dry cleaning by arrangement
Highlights
- Street level off-street parking on site at 40-44 Sussex Street
- Sky TV in the rooms, with a DVD player available on request
- Cots, high chairs and electric blankets provided on request
- All units serviced daily, with toaster and tea and coffee making facilities in each
- Walking distance to the CBD and Courtenay Place, and close to the Interislander ferry terminal
Location & Contact
Name: Marksman Motor Inn
Address: 40-44 Sussex Street, Mount Cook, Wellington 6021
Phone: 04 385 2499
Website: marksmanmotel.co.nz
3Victoria Court Motor Lodge
Victoria Court Motor Lodge sits on Victoria Street in Te Aro, a short stroll from the Cuba Street cafes, the theatres and Te Papa. Rooms run from queen and twin studios to executive suites with a private balcony and spa bath, and on to one and two bedroom apartments. Every unit has a kitchenette, and the lodge is set up for guests who want a quiet central base with the car parked on site.
Services
- Queen and twin studios with kitchenette, hot plate and microwave
- Executive suites with a private balcony and a shower over spa bath
- One and two bedroom apartments sleeping up to four
- A studio apartment set up for small conferences
- Self-service guest laundry
Highlights
- Complimentary parking included with every stay
- Lift access to all floors
- Spa baths in the executive suites and the apartments
- No prepayment, with free cancellation up to two days before arrival
- Sky TV, free WiFi and an in-room heater in every unit
Location & Contact
Name: Victoria Court Motor Lodge
Address: 201 Victoria Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
Phone: 022 525 8830
Website: victoriacourt.co.nz
4Southgate Motor Inn
Southgate Motor Inn stands on Riddiford Street in Newtown, opposite Wellington Hospital, which makes it a practical choice for families visiting a patient or attending appointments. Units run from super king studios through to two bedroom apartments that sleep six, and several are ground floor access suites. The Basin Reserve, Wellington Zoo and the Newtown shops are all close by.
Services
- Studio units with a super king bed, walk-in shower and kitchenette
- Ground floor studio and one bedroom access suites
- Executive studios and one bedroom executive units with spa baths
- Two bedroom units sleeping up to six, with a pull-out sofa bed in the lounge
Highlights
- Located opposite Wellington Hospital on Riddiford Street
- Ground floor access suites for guests who cannot manage stairs
- Spa baths in the executive studios and one bedroom executive units
- Freeview and Sky TV on a 32 inch screen in every unit
Location & Contact
Name: Southgate Motor Inn
Address: 70-72 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington
Phone: 04 939 9292
Website: southgate.co.nz
5Ascot Motor Lodge
Ascot Motor Lodge is a Newtown motel at 46 Riddiford Street, directly opposite the main entrance of Wellington Hospital and 200m from the local supermarkets and restaurants. Units run from queen studios to one and two bedroom suites and a two-storey family apartment, all with cooking facilities and undercover parking. The proprietors are on site, so late arrivals and out of hours questions are handled in person.
Services
- Studio units with a queen bed, ensuite and kitchen cooking facilities
- A ground level disability studio with an accessible ensuite, seat and handrails
- One and two bedroom units with separate lounge, bedroom and kitchen area
- Cooked or continental breakfast, available at extra charge
Highlights
- Directly opposite the main entrance of Wellington Hospital
- Onsite proprietors available 24-7
- Undercover, security monitored car parking
- Ceramic cooktop, pots, pans and full crockery and cutlery in every unit
- 200m to supermarkets and restaurants, 900m to Wellington Zoo and 400m to Te Whaea
Location & Contact
Name: Ascot Motor Lodge
Address: 46 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021
Phone: 04 380 0047
Website: ascotmotorlodge.co.nz
Motels in Wellington at a Glance
| Business | Based in | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo Lodge Motel & Majoribanks Apartments | Wellington | 42 motel units and 15 apartments across three Majoribanks Street addr... |
| Marksman Motor Inn | Mount Cook | Street level off-street parking on site at 40-44 Sussex Street |
| Victoria Court Motor Lodge | Te Aro | Complimentary parking included with every stay |
| Southgate Motor Inn | Newtown | Located opposite Wellington Hospital on Riddiford Street |
| Ascot Motor Lodge | Newtown | Directly opposite the main entrance of Wellington Hospital |
How to Choose the Right Motel in Wellington
- Decide how much cooking you actually want to do, since a kitchenette with a hot plate and a full kitchen with an oven are very different propositions over a week.
- Check whether parking is included or subject to availability, because central Wellington street parking is metered and the difference shows up quickly on a longer booking.
- Match the unit to the group: a studio suits two people, while a two bedroom unit with a sofa bed in the lounge is what sleeps five or six comfortably.
- Look at stairs and lifts before you book if anyone in the party has limited mobility, and ask specifically about ground floor or accessible units rather than assuming.
- Work backwards from where you need to be each day, whether that is Courtenay Place, the Basin Reserve, the hospital or the Interislander terminal, since Wellington is compact but hilly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wellington Motels
What is the difference between a motel and a hotel in Wellington?
A motel unit is self-contained, meaning it has its own kitchenette or kitchen, a fridge, a microwave and usually a hot plate, so you can cook rather than eat out for every meal. Hotels tend to sell the room plus the restaurant, bar and reception services around it. Motels in Wellington also generally come with their own off-street parking, which is the practical difference most guests notice first.
Do Wellington motels include parking?
Most do, but the terms vary. Some include a car park with every stay, others offer parking on an availability basis, and a few charge separately for a reserved space. It is worth confirming at the time of booking, particularly if you are arriving in a van or a vehicle with a roof box, since a number of central sites have height restrictions or undercover bays.
How much does a motel in Wellington cost per night?
Rates move with the season, the day of the week and what is on in town, so the motels here quote live availability rather than a fixed published price. A studio for two sits well below a two bedroom unit sleeping six, and booking directly with the motel is often how you find the best rate. Check the cancellation terms as well, since some properties allow free cancellation up to a day or two before arrival.
Which suburbs should I look at for a motel near my destination?
If you are heading for the entertainment district, Te Papa or the waterfront, look at Majoribanks Street and Te Aro. For the CBD, the Basin Reserve and the routes north, Mount Cook works well. Newtown is the area to search if your reason for travelling is Wellington Hospital, Wellington Zoo or the ASB Sports Centre, since motels there sit within a couple of hundred metres of the hospital entrance.
Are there motels close to Wellington Hospital?
Yes. Riddiford Street in Newtown runs past the hospital and has motel accommodation opposite the main entrance, which is why families travelling for treatment often base themselves there. If mobility is a factor, ask about ground floor units, accessible bathrooms with handrails and undercover parking when you enquire, because availability of those specific rooms is limited and they book out first.
Can I stay in a Wellington motel with children?
Family units are standard across the city’s motels, with two bedroom configurations, sofa beds in the lounge and units that sleep between four and six people. Cots, high chairs and extra rollaway beds are commonly available on request, sometimes at an additional charge. Mention the number and ages of children when you book so the right beds are made up before you arrive.
What do star ratings on New Zealand accommodation actually mean?
Star ratings on New Zealand accommodation are awarded by Qualmark, the tourism quality assurance organisation owned by Tourism New Zealand, which grades accommodation on a one to five star scale based on the quality of facilities and services. Not every property chooses to be assessed, so an unrated motel is not necessarily a lesser one. Reading the room descriptions on the motel’s own site tells you more about what you are actually booking.
How far is it from a central Wellington motel to the airport or ferry?
Wellington is unusually compact. From the central city the airport is roughly 8km and the Interislander terminal around 3km, while the Newtown motels sit about 3.5km from the airport. That puts most properties within a short drive or a bus ride of both, though allow extra time on a weekday morning, since the Mount Victoria tunnel approach backs up.
How We Chose the Best Motels in Wellington
Every business in this guide was found by searching for motels in Wellington, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Wellington, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.