Auckland is New Zealand’s largest and capital city, home to over a third of the country’s total population. You might have heard of New Zealand for its enormous number of sheep, which outnumber the human residents. However, there is a lot more to this peaceful city than just livestock and rolling hills.
Auckland offers the perfect balance between the city and nature. It’s bordered by pastoral countryside to one side and the ocean to the other, which makes it the perfect destination for outdoorsy travelers and adventure lovers.
Although small relative to other major cities, Auckland offers an incredible metropolitan area known as the CBD, boasting modern skyscrapers and an industrial harbor. The city also has a diverse food and dining scene and an impressive Maori culture. Naturally, most Auckland locals live in the city’s suburban neighborhoods.
Whether you’re visiting for a quick weekend or a more extended trip, staying in one of the best motels in Auckland is a great way to experience the buzz of the city without going over budget. While most motels in other regions are located on the outskirts of a city, Aucklands motels are commonly found in the city center and its most desirable neighborhoods.
In this article, I’ve compiled a list of the best fifteen top motels in and around this New Zealand city. Each property is organized according to the type of guest it suits best, with a spot for everyone from families traveling with kids to solo digital nomads.
Premium Suite at Ohtel Auckland
- > $$$
- > 2 Guests
- > View of an inner courtyard and on-site pool
- > Modern interiors with living room and bathtub
King Room at Ascotia Off Queen
- > $
- > 2 Guests
- > Modern quest rooms with an onsite cafe
- > In the CBD, a short stroll from Auckland Town Hall, Art Gallery, and The University of Auckland
One Bedroom Executive Apartment at FERNZ Motel and Apartments Birkenhead
- > $$$$
- > 2 Guests
- > City and harbor views with full kitchen
- > A 15-minute drive to Auckland CBD
Staying in a Motel in Auckland
Auckland offers the best of both worlds, with a vibrant city center surrounded by exquisite rainforests, national parks, and beaches. It’s the perfect destination for city slickers with an aptitude for adventure.
Motels are known to have an unfortunate reputation as a cheap and often unappealing form of accommodation. However, they’re typically simply a more affordable version of a hotel, offering fewer service benefits in exchange for saving a truckload of money.
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While most think of motels as roadside stops with vending and ice machines in the middle of nowhere, this type of accommodation has made its way into the center of some of our favorite cities. In Auckland, for example, you’ll find an array of motels to stay in right in the heart of the city and some of the city’s most popular residential neighborhoods. Often located just a stone’s throw from iconic hotels and five-star resorts, motels offer a more affordable option for travelers on a budget.
Behind the doors of this classic ‘inn’ looking building, which tends to be a double story with private entrances for each room, you’ll find clean and comfortable accommodation with all the basic necessities.
A typical motel room will have a bed, closet, desk and chair, and private bathroom. Depending on the property, some motels offer added services like daily housekeeping and breakfast, while others provide more basic accommodation for a simple stay.
What to Look For in a Motel in Auckland
While motels are known for being a budget-friendly option for simple accommodation, this doesn’t mean they don’t excel when it comes to comfort and convenience.
When visiting Auckland, quite the opposite is true. Most of the best motels in Auckland are located in the best parts of the city, while others are close to major highways, the airport, or public transport networks. If you’re coming to the city for a short weekend or overnight visit, finding a motel just off a major highway is a good idea. Although Aucklands traffic isn’t known to be the worst, this way, you can avoid navigating too much traffic and intersections when arriving and leaving the city.
Depending on who and how many other guests you’re traveling with, you might want to look into booking a double or family-sized room with more than one bed. Many motels in the area offer a variety of bed options for guests, ranging from single beds to two-bedroom suites for families traveling with children.
While we’re talking about kids, if you are visiting with children, choosing a property with self-catering facilities, or at least a breakfast option included in the rate, would be in your best interest. There are plenty of self-catering motels in Auckland, with just about all properties on this list boasting, at the very least, coffee and tea-making facilities in the room.
Most of the top motels in this city can be found on Booking.com, with a few rooms advertised on Airbnb.
The Top 15 Motels in Auckland
Are you ready to take a better look at the best motels in Auckland? I’ve added a property suitable for all types of travelers to the list below.
Overall Best Value Motel in Auckland – Serviced Apartment at Heritage Hotel Tower Wing
If you’re looking for convenience in the city center, this is it. Although not a typical roadside motel, this serviced apartment offers self-catering accommodation for a low price, with the added benefits of hotel-like amenities. Guests can use the rooftop spa and heated pool, sauna, and second indoor pool. There is even a tennis court and two gyms available for use.
The corner apartment has sprawling city views and a balcony overlooking the Sky Tower. Digital nomads will enjoy high-speed broadband Wi-Fi. The room features a private work desk, TV, a small seating area, a full kitchen, and a bathroom with washer and dryer facilities.
Best Budget Motel in Auckland – King Room at Ascotia Off Queen
If you’re in the motel market, chances are you’re looking for an affordable place to stay. One of the best motels in Auckland on a budget, Ascotia Off Queen is centrally located in the buzz of the city featuring modern guest rooms just a short walk from Auckland Town Hall.
The motel has an on-site cafe that serves all-day food and drinks. The 24-hour reception will take care of your every need, and there is even a business center with meeting facilities for business travelers.
Best Motel for Couples in Auckland – Premium Suite at Ohtel Auckland
Staying in a motel doesn’t mean skimping on quality and comfort, and this gorgeous spot in the city offers luxurious rooms for a fraction of the price you might expect to pay. The motel has an on-site restaurant, garden, sauna, and hot tub. Parking is available for those arriving by car.
Each room is beautifully designed with contemporary interiors, featuring a desk, private bathroom, and coffee machine. Most rooms have city views, and some even include a balcony.
Best Motel for a Group of Friends in Auckland – Family Apartment at Sylvia Park Motel
Set just outside downtown Auckland along the Mount Wellington Highway, Sylvia Park Motel is a new property with spacious rooms. One of the more unique accommodations in Auckland, the family apartment is ultra modern and decorated with clean white interiors. It is fully self-catering, featuring an ensuite bathroom, outdoor patio, living area, and kitchen.
While staying at the property, guests can also make use of self-service laundry facilities, free parking, and good-quality Wi-Fi throughout the property.
Over-the-Top Luxury Motel in Auckland – One Bedroom Executive Apartment at FERNZ Motel and Apartments Birkenhead
It’s hard to believe FERNZ Motel and Apartments is a motel at all, with its luxurious interiors, gorgeous garden setting, and incredible city views. The one-bedroom executive apartment has sweeping views of the city and sea from the balcony and floor-to-ceiling windows, bringing abundant natural light into the space.
The apartment has a private entrance, seating area, and full kitchen with state-of-the-art facilities. Since it is located across Chelsea Bay in Birkenhead, it is much more affordable than what you would pay in the city center.
Best Motel for Families Visiting Auckland – Ground Floor Apartment at Best Western Newmarket Inn and Suites
If you’re on the hunt for the best motel in Auckland to visit with children, you’ve come to the right place. Located on the ground floor, the apartment at the Best Western Newmarket Inn and Suites offers four-star accommodation just a short walk from the Newmarket shopping district.
Depending on who you’re traveling with, the motel has different room options suitable for between two and five guests. The hotel-like services make this ideal for families, who will appreciate the daily housekeeping and breakfast available at the property. Guests can also make use of free parking, a convenient addition to the city!
Best Motel in Auckland for Backpackers – Pod in Dorm Room at LyLo Auckland
Although not a motel, LyLo Auckland is one of the top hostels that offers a similar low price tag as a motel. The difference is that you can choose to book a private suite or save even more and stay in a shared dorm.
The hostel is built for young socialites, with plenty of common areas to lounge around, relax, or socialize with other guests, depending on your mood. This Auckland hostel has a buzzing bar which makes it super easy to meet new friends if you’re traveling solo.
Motel in Auckland with the Best Views – Standard Studio at Emerald Inn on Takapuna Beach
Located just a hop-and-a-skip away from Takapuna Beach, it’s no surprise Emerald Inn offers some of the most beautiful views in the city. Not only is it one of the best motels in Auckland for its coastal vistas, but it’s also one of the more luxurious.
Organized more like a resort than a motel, the accommodation has an outdoor pool, garden, and terrace and offers guests free parking just a short distance from the city of Auckland. Take advantage of the incredible natural surroundings with a classic barbeque during your stay.
Top All-Inclusive Motel in Auckland – Premium Studio with Spa Bath at Best Western Ellerslie International Hotel
When I say all-inclusive, I don’t mean inclusive of full-board meals and spa treatments. That said, a stay at the Best Western Ellerslie International Hotel is the closest you’ll get in Auckland’s motel scene. Located south of downtown Auckland, it’s out of the busy center yet still close enough to easily access by car or public transport.
As one of the top motels for its facilities, guests can enjoy daily housekeeping, luggage storage, and other hotel-like benefits. The property also has a restaurant open for breakfast and dinner and a bar on site. Bring along a book and relax by the outdoor swimming pool on a warm day.
Best Motel for a Weekend Trip to Auckland – Queen Studio at Aristotles North Shore
By definition, this type of accommodation is most suitable for quick stays for guests traveling on the road. Aristotles North Shore is the best motel in Auckland for a weekend trip for two reasons. First, it’s easy to access, located on the North Shore of Auckland, and second, it offers everything you might need for a short visit.
The rooms range from spacious studios to apartments and are clean, self-contained, and classically decorated. Guests can make use of the outdoor swimming pool and relax in the central courtyard. There are also laundry machines and facilities for disabled guests.
Best Motel in Auckland for Long-Term Travelers – Executive Room at Alexander Inn
Even though motels are typically designed for short visits en route elsewhere, this is one of the better spots to make your long-term home away from home. Alexander Inn is located in the south Aucklands Newmarket neighborhood, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and bars.
The motel rooms are spacious and fitted with either a kitchenette or a full kitchen and dining space. The motel offers room service and has facilities that welcome disabled guests.
Best Motel Off-The-Beaten-Track in Auckland – Studio at Half Moon Bay Motel
Located on a coastal inlet of Half Moon Bay just east of Auckland, this motel is off-the-beaten-track and removed from the hustle of the city, yet still close enough to visit for a meal or day trip.
One of the most unique accommodations in Auckland, this motel is surrounded by lush gardens and towering trees and is just a short walk to the Half Moon Bay Ferry Terminal and various beaches. The rooms are fully equipped with a microwave and stove, private bathroom, and TV – all the essentials for a visit to Auckland!
Best Motel in Auckland for Business Travelers – Double Room at Airport Gateway Hotel
Travelers visiting the city for business should check out this motel right by the airport. It makes arriving and leaving the city super convenient, and the motel also offers a range of conferencing facilities and business rooms.
When you’re off the clock, enjoy the traditional Kiwi hospitality in your bright and spacious room, which is cleaned daily. There is also an on-site restaurant to satisfy your cravings if venturing into the city doesn’t suit your schedule.
Best Motel Near the Airport in Auckland – Queen Studio at Auckland Airport Motel
The Auckland Airport Motel is one of the most convenient and affordable places to stay if you have a long layover in the city. Just a five-minute drive from the Auckland Airport, the motel offers a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport.
The rooms are clean, comfortable, and filled with natural light and include heating and cooling, a private bathroom, a seating area, coffee and tea facilities, and a mini-fridge. Guests can also make use of complimentary Wi-Fi and laundry services. Breakfast is provided for an additional fee, and free parking is available during your stay.
Amazing Motel with Pool in Auckland – Serviced Motel Apartment Hosted by Martin
This fully-equipped self-service apartment in the heart of Auckland is fitted with homey interiors and welcoming touches, with a double bed and sleeper couch providing enough sleeping space for three guests.
The room has a full kitchen and bathroom with complimentary toiletries. If you’re coming to the end of your clean clothing, the apartment also has a washer and dryer in the room. It’s just around the corner from Queen Street and SkyCity and features an indoor lap pool, gym, and sauna.
Don’t Forget Your Auckland Travel Insurance
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on Motels in Auckland
And just like that, we’ve reached the end of our list of the best motels in Auckland. You may have noticed that many of these motels don’t look like typical American motels, which usually have two stories with external entrances, ice machines, and minimal shared spaces.
Instead, Auckland’s best motels offer hotel-like amenities and are a lot more luxurious than expected. You could stay in a fully serviced apartment in a motel here or choose an ultra-cheap room near the airport – the options are endless.
If you’re visiting New Zealand from abroad, make sure you organize a decent travel insurance plan to cover your bills if you encounter any lost luggage, delayed flights, or injury while on your trip. Your future self will thank you!
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