The Best Hotels in Wellington, New Zealand, for Every Traveller

Set across two separate buildings, this family-owned hotel in Wellington has been designed on a European model. Much like a pension, some of the 13 bedrooms share bathrooms. But there are also ensuite self-catering apartments and studios with baths, balconies and steaming hot tubs. These options make it suitable for everyone, from singles to groups and families. And, in a quiet nook close to the vibrancy of Cuba Street, you’ll be at the centre of the action.

Stay in five-star finery at this chic boutique hotel in Wellington. Large studios and suites are set with iPad Minis and soundproofed walls, and you have the choice between garden, park or city views. Try some modern Kiwi cuisine at the in-house restaurant, Artisan, and drink locally roasted coffee at the lobby cafe. In addition to the fitness centre, you can unwind in the lap or spa pool.

As the namesake of Arthur Wellesley – better known as the first Duke of Wellington – this building was put up in 1929. There’s a period cosiness here, with fitting furnishings reflecting the neo-Georgian flair. The hotel is in Lambton Quarter, close to restaurants, shops and event venues but also has two in-house eateries. Single rooms are available (alongside classic doubles and deluxe suites), representing excellent value for the solo traveller.

Right across from the boardwalk, this five-star hotel in Wellington has an eye-catching tinted glass exterior with front-row bay views. It has a spa offering a range of treatments, with a sauna and pool. Chameleon is the place for meals – there’s a buffet breakfast – and you can watch the world go by over drinks at the Lobby Lounge (also the venue for afternoon tea).

Te Aro is one of the coolest districts in the city and home to this art hotel, which houses hundreds of contemporary pieces and where the staff uniforms have been fashioned by a Broadway costume designer. The 163 rooms come with Bose sound systems, Nespresso coffee machines and minibars stocked with unusual treats (such as bow ties and playing cards). Elsewhere, you’ll find a cocktail lounge, a fine French eatery and a long narrow pool encased in a glass structure.

Encapsulating the French art de vivre, this Sofitel outpost is a seductive affair, a short walk from the Botanic Gardens. The Jardin Grill centres around fresh produce, quality ingredients and a passion for food – and has an outdoor terrace. Drink a botanical G&T under a branching floral ceiling at the cocktail bar, La Serre.

Mid-century luxury awaits you at Ohtel in Oriental Bay. The 10-room four-storey boutique opened in 2008, inspired by the design hotels of New York. Local art and ceramics are found throughout, alongside high quality, à la mode furnishings. Wine, tapas and baked goods can be purchased at Duppa Bar, which is named after the first bay resident, George Duppa. Ohtel is also dog-friendly.

Boulcott Suites are part of the Kiwi Village Accommodation Group (whose portfolio also includes the Ohtel), offering extensive self-catering options. Book everything from a single-level studio to a four-bed townhouse with a balcony and open-plan living-dining-kitchen area. The complex is found on the corner of Willis Street, with supermarkets and restaurants just minutes away on foot.

Accessible and family-friendly, the 17-storey Rydges hotel offers both self-catering and bedroom-only stays. It has a spa, a lap pool, a sauna and a gym as well as an award-winning grill-style restaurant (steak is the speciality here) and a wine and whisky bar. The downtown location – sandwiched between the city and sea – provides diverse outlooks. On-site self and valet parking is available for a fee.

Watch the buzz of the harbour from the romantic seventh-floor One80° Restaurant and Lounge at the Copthorne; beef wellington is the signature dish, best followed by the rose-petal pistachio bombe alaska. The 118 large rooms here also benefit from harbour (or city) views, all furnished with private balconies and minibars. The four-star hotel in Wellington enjoys a prestigious and convenient spot on the swanky Oriental Parade.

This modern, international chain hotel in Wellington is in an art deco-era restored T&G building. The cafe lounge, 1928, nods to the vintage credentials of the property. An Asian-European fusion menu is presented morning, noon and night at Spring Kitchen. The hotel sits beside the Wellington Cable Car in the business district and has a fitness centre and extensive accessible amenities.

An ultra-bijou option, this beachside B&B has just three ensuite rooms with heated floors. It’s ideal for travellers wishing to stay farther from the centre, lying 5km (3mi) from the main city hub. A garden, lounge and terrace are shared by guests (although one of the rooms comes with a private deck). The Wētā Cave museum, home to a collection of Lord of the Rings props and memorabilia, is only a short distance away.