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Best Wellington hotels to stay at in 2021

Find the best hotels in the Kiwi capital for your budget and score a great deal on your room rate.

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Stephanie Yip
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If you're keen to explore the political, cultural or culinary side of Wellington, booking a hotel that allows you to make the most of your visit should be at the top of your planning list.

As the political capital of New Zealand, Wellington is a hive of activity. In fact, the most recognisable parliament building is aptly named The Beehive. It's also known as the cultural capital of the country thanks to its strong arts and music scene and is the home of Te Papa National Museum.

Add in wildlife conservation areas, a sports stadium, festivals, outdoor activities and historical sites, and you've got a long list of things to get through when you visit this city.

You may just need to find a place to stay for a few days to fit it all in.

Wellington hotel deals

AgodaAgoda
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Available on stays until 31 December 2022 when you use the code. Destinations include New Zealand, Fiji, London, Maldives, Japan, USA and more. T&Cs apply.

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Priceline.comPriceline.com

Up to 60% off express deals

Available on select dates in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and more. T&Cs apply

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Swiss BelHotelSwiss BelHotel

Up to 35% off Christmas and summer getaways

Available on select dates from 1 December 2021 - 28 February 2022 across Australia and New Zealand. T&Cs apply.

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Swiss BelHotelSwiss BelHotel

Up to 40% off New Zealand and Australia getaways

Available on stays until 31 March 2022. Destinations include Auckland, Queenstown, Napier and Sydney. T&Cs apply.

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How did we pick these Wellington hotels?

Our editorial team selected the Wellington hotels on this list based on price, location and real customer feedback from hotel booking sites and review platforms. Where applicable, we used our own personal experiences to make recommendations.

Where are the best places to stay in Wellington?

Best cheap Wellington accommodation

Wellington has a selection of hostels catering for different ages and travel types, where you can share a dorm room with other guests or book a no-frills private room. There are also hotels that provide basic rooms with shared bathrooms to help keep your costs down.

Located in the heart of the city in a refurbished historical building, Marion Hostel has a superb rating on Booking.com based on over 1,100 reviews and an excellent rating on TripAdvisor. Rather than eating out for every meal, you can utilise the shared cooking facilities and meet other travellers in the communal living areas. The YHA Wellington also has two kitchens for its guests and an espresso bar for that early morning pick-me-up.

Staying at The Cambridge Hotel will give you access to the onsite bistro and bar with SKY to watch those big sports matches. If you're on a solo adventure, you may just meet someone to explore the city with.

Our top picks for cheap Wellington accommodation: Finder Hotels, Finder Hotels, Finder Hotels

See more cheap Wellington hotels

Best 5-star hotels in Wellington

Being a smaller city, Wellington only has a handful of 5-star hotels tucked into the city centre. According to customer reviews, these are the best of the best when it comes to finding the most luxurious stay when spending time in the capital of New Zealand.

While space is at a premium, the Bolton Hotel and Grand Mercure Wellington are able to pack in an indoor pool, gym, restaurant and bar, so you won't need to leave the hotel for many reasons other than sightseeing or attending a business meeting.

You don't have to pay through the roof for these amenities either as it's possible to book a Superior room at the Grand Mercure for $200 a night. If you're looking for something bigger than a standard hotel room, the InterContinental Wellington has additional living space to relax in when you book a City Suite.

Our top picks for Wellington 5-star hotels:

See more 5-star Wellington hotels

Best Wellington CBD hotels

Sitting right next to the Wellington waterfront, the CBD puts you in a prime location to explore all that this city has to offer. You can find many popular attractions such as the Parliament Buildings, Cable Car and Te Papa museum within walking distance. Plus, you can spend some time walking along Oriental Bay to take in the fresh sea air.

Staying in one of the best Wellington CBD hotels also situates you near public transport, whether you want to catch a ferry over to Picton, a train up the North Island or hop on a bus to other suburbs.

Our top picks for Wellington CBD hotels are highly-rated 4-star hotels that are more budget-friendly than our picks of 5-star hotels, without compromising on personality.

The Wellesley Boutique Hotel offers classic neo-Georgian decor while the QT Wellington features expressive and eclectic art and design. At the Doubletree by Hilton, 1920s charm is the theme.

Our top picks for Wellington CBD hotels: Finder Hotels, Finder Hotels, Finder Hotels

See more best Wellington CBD hotels

Alternate Wellington accommodation options

Airbnb and Stayz operate in Wellington if you are looking to book accommodation with the creature comforts of home. You can find properties both in and around the city, as well as further north in Johnsonville, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Porirua. These towns can provide a good base for exploring the region if you have a car and have transport links into Wellington.

Another alternative to consider is a Wellington homestay. While not as suitable for families or groups, it can be a good option for singles or couples that want to have a more authentic stay while in New Zealand. You can share meals with your hosts and discover some off-the-beaten-track experiences that you may not get to do staying in a hotel.

Frequently asked questions about Wellington hotels

Which accommodation is at Wellington airport?

Above the international terminal, you can find Rydges Wellington Airport. There is also the Airport Motor Lodge and Airport Motel less than 1km away.

Which Accor hotels are in Wellington?

There are seven Accor hotels in Wellington with rates starting at $114 per night. Ibis Wellington, Novotel Wellington, Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman, Mercure Wellington Central City Hotel & Apartments, Sofitel Wellington and Grand Mercure Wellington are in the central city, and The Sebel Wellington Lower Hutt is 13km away in Lower Hutt.

Which hotels are near Westpac Stadium in Wellington?

As the Westpac Stadium is close to Wellington CBD, there are plenty of hotels in walking distance. The closest hotels include The Dwellington, The Thorndon Hotel Wellington by Rydges, Rydges Wellington and Hotel Waterloo and Backpackers. Hotels can book out fast when there is a major sporting match on, so make sure to get in quick to avoid disappointment.

Which sites let me book Wellington accommodation with free cancellation?

These sites let you make a refundable booking for your trip to Wellington, so there's less risk of losing the cost of your stay or deposit. Some sites only offer free cancellation on select Wellington hotels or at a slightly higher rate, so it's best to check the terms on your booking before confirming your stay.

Most sites, like Wotif or Expedia, will clearly state whether each Wellington hotel is non-refundable.

See the latest coupon codes

Which sites let me use a coupon code to book Wellington accommodation?

Using one of our coupon codes at these sites will save you money on your Wellington stay. Some may ask you to pay for your stay upfront rather than on arrival in order to apply the code to your Wellington booking, but the same cancellation policy does apply so if you are able to cancel, you'll be able to get refunded.

Which sites let me book Wellington accommodation without a credit card?

If you don't have a credit card to make your Wellington booking, but would like to reap the rewards of one, compare credit cards that offer hotel rewards here.

Which Wellington hotel booking sites have rewards programs?

Get access to cheaper prices, collect points toward free stays and get extra perks like Wi-Fi or breakfast if you book your Wellington accommodation on sites like these:

  • Wotif: Part of the same family, Wotif lets you access the same benefits as the Expedia Rewards program. You'll get access to lower rates and earn points, which can be used toward discounted stays in the future. Depending on how often you make bookings, you'll be able to get bigger discounts and earn more perks like breakfast.
  • Agoda: PointsMAX lets you earn up to 6,000 points for your stay that you can put toward a preferred loyalty or frequent flyer program, including KrisFlyer and Velocity.
  • Trip.com: Trip Coins is Trip.com's rewards program where you can earn $1 for every 100 Trip Coins. It's free to join the program. Membership tiers from Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond have different perks to enjoy.
  • Hotels.com: Collect one stamp for every night's stay. Once you stay for 10 nights, you'll be able to redeem one free night up to the average value of your previous 10 nights.
  • Expedia.com.au: Access lower rates as a member and earn Expedia points on bookings, which can be used toward discounted stays in the future. Different levels of membership get you access to deeper discounts and perks, such as free breakfasts.
  • Marriott: The Marriott Bonvoy Benefits program lets you earn points towards free nights, access special member rates, get free Wi-Fi with your stay and check into your room via the mobile app. There are different status levels depending on how often you stay, starting with Silver Elite (10 nights per year).

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