Where to stay in Wellington, New Zealand (the best hotels and areas)
Welcome to the hotel edit; my guide to the very best hotels and places to stay in Wellington
As with all of my guides, this isn’t supposed to be the most comprehensive list of hotels in Wellington, but a curated selection of independent or otherwise unique places to stay.
The capital city is nice and compact, which makes it very walkable. Staying at any of these hotels, you can reach Wellington’s best sights with ease.
Overview: Wellington’s best hotels
The Intrepid Hotel (top choice)
Wellesley Boutique Hotel
The Bolton
Ohtel
A heads up: This article contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you book through those links (at no extra cost to you!). Thanks for your support.
A guide to the best areas to stay in Wellington
If you’re struggling to decide where to stay in Wellington, here is a quick breakdown of the key areas.
Conveniently located in the thick of it, you will be walking distance to all the bars and restaurants. The downside is that parking can be a pain.
The city centre is roughly divided up into even smaller areas.
Wellington Central and Lambton Quay
The Bolton
Why I recommend this hotel:
The Bolton is independent and family-run, a rarity for hotels these days.
What’s nearby:
Independently owned Belen Plant Bakery is a great spot for mid morning treats (or any time treats).
On this side of town, you’re close to the Beehive — it’s worth going for a walk around there to take a look at it.
Wellesley Boutique Hotel
Why I recommend this hotel:
What’s nearby:
Check out the Wellington Cable Car, which is just a five minute walk from the hotel.
Te Aro and Cuba Street
Te Aro is the creative quarter of Wellington, bisected by the famous Cuba Street.
This is where you will find independent bookstores, second hand shops, and cafes like Fidels.
The Intrepid Hotel
Located on Ghuznee Street, in the heart of Te Aro, the Intrepid Hotel has just 18 rooms. The hotel building used to be a chocolate factory, and has been renovated in a way that embraces its industrial past — white brick walls, exposed pipes, and metallic furnishings.
Why I recommend this hotel:
The Intrepid is one of the few hotels in Wellington not owned by international chains. It’s owned by a duo behind other hospitality ventures in Wellington, including the restaurant Shepherd (which I love as well).
Being independent means this really is a one of a kind hotel, with oodles of character and a vibe that really fits with the capital city’s eclectic and cool nature.
What’s nearby:
Puffin, one of Wellington’s best wine bars, is conveniently just downstairs. If you want to go further, this hotel is close to all the restaurants of Cuba Street.
QT Wellington
I used to stay here when I went down to Wellington for work — I always loved the lavish rooms with colourful decorations and full bathtubs in the bathrooms.
Why I recommend this hotel:
I’m a fan of all the QT properties (I also nominate them in my picks for best Auckland and Queenstown hotels) because they are just more fun and interesting than a standard hotel.
What’s nearby:
It’s only a couple of minutes walk from QT to Te Papa Musuem, a must-visit in Wellington.
There are also some good breakfast cafes not too far away, which is handy — I don’t recommend the hotel restaurant for breakfast, unfortunately.
Oriental Bay
Ohtel
Why I recommend this hotel: I like that it is owned by a New Zealand accommodation group.
What’s nearby: Set right on Oriental Parade, this boutique hotel is ideal for exploring the waterfront. Head to Beach Babylon on Oriental Bay for brunch, or go in the opposite direction to explore the writer’s walk around the water.
Thanks for reading this far — I hope my recommendations helped you select a special place to stay in Wellington.
If you would like to explore more of Wellington and the North Island, you might also be interested in these articles:
