15 BEST Family Accommodations in Wellington 👪 [2024]

Where to Find Family-Friendly Accommodation in Wellington

If your family travels of New Zealand have brought you to the capital city, then you’re in for a treat. Wellington is packed with fascinating museums, movie studios and easy walking trails to keep the little ones stimulated, but where should families stay in between adventures? We go through some of our favourite luxury stays, affordable hotels and motel accommodations in this list of the best family accommodations in Wellington!

While you’re here, don’t miss our 10 Things to Do in Wellington with Kids and The Guide to Wellington for Families.

1. Rydges Wellington

Share a luxurious hotel space together at the Rydges Wellington. The location couldn’t be more convenient for a city centre stay, boasting views of the cityscape on one side and the waterfront on the other. Families have the option to stay in one of the “Double Rooms” with two double beds. What’s more, children aged 12 and under can use existing bedding for free, making Rydges a good-value option for family accommodation in Wellington. No wonder this accommodation makes it onto The 50 Best Accommodations in Wellington.

Check Rydges Wellington out:

2. CityLife Wellington

Get that home-away-from-home experience (combined with a little luxury, of course) when you stay at CityLife Wellington. This hotel by Heritage Hotels boasts two-bedroom suites so mum and dad can get their privacy. The luxury apartments have kitchen facilities, while room service and on-site restaurants are only a call or short walk away. What’s more, CityLife Wellington is in a super-central hotel. For more accommodations with kitchen facilities, check out the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Wellington.

Check CityLife Wellington out:

3. Copthorne Hotel Wellington, Oriental Bay

Stay in arguably the most picturesque inner-city suburb of Wellington, Oriental Bay. The four-star Copthorne Hotel Wellington is a mere 10-minute walk from highlights such as the Te Papa Museum, Courtney Place, Mt Victoria and, of course, Oriental Bay Beach is right on your doorstep. Families have the option of double rooms with two double beds and with or without a harbour view. Those looking for affordability may want to choose the “Superior Room” with a private balcony, while those seeking luxury will find it in the “Junior Suite” with a separate living and dining area. Larger tribes will find space in the “Copthorne’s Apartment” complete with a kitchenette.

Check Copthorne Hotel Wellington out:

Copthorne Hotel Wellington, Oriental-Bay

4. Apollo Lodge Motel

There’s something for everyone, but particularly families, at this city-centre motel complex with 15 apartments and 42 units. Apollo Lodge Motel has well-kept self-contained studios and family units spread across a grand Edwardian house, as well as more contemporary buildings, so simply choose your style. Some of the family units have full kitchens, so be sure to ask if you need these facilities. Otherwise, you’re mere moments away from the city centre’s eateries, so inspire yourself with The Food Guide to Wellington: Places to Eat & Food Tours.

Check Apollo Lodge Motel out:

15 BEST Family Accommodations in Wellington

5. Quest on Johnston

Quest Serviced Apartments are all over Wellington like a Kiwi on marmite and one of the many family-friendly options is Quest on Johnston. With its super central location and all the home essentials, like a full kitchen and separate bedrooms, the apartment hotel is like your own city centre home away from home. The two-bedroom apartments are an ideal choice for families of up to five, while a three-bedroom apartment is also available. Note that you’ll also find Quest Atrium, Quest 256 Lambton, Quest on The Terrace, Quest on Thorndon, Quest on Lambton and Quest Wellington, so shop around!

Check Quest on Johnston out:

6. The Dwellington

Don’t be too quick to turn your nose up at this modern backpacker hostel in Wellington. The Dwellington provides very comfortable family rooms with a double bed and bunk layout for a very affordable price. The modernly-furnished hostel includes some unique facilities like a boutique cinema room, as well as some handy essentials like a communal kitchen and laundry. All rooms, however, have shared bathroom facilities. For more ultra-cheap stays, check out the 7 Best Backpacker Hostels in Wellington.

Check The Dwellington out:

7. U Boutique Hotel

Impossible to miss with its quirky murals on the exterior, U Boutique Hotel is a compact hotel with stylish rooms for families. Stay in one of their “Family Suites” sleeping up to five across two separate (but interconnecting) rooms or opt for a more lavish apartment with three bedrooms – either way, this hotel easily makes it high on our list of best family accommodations in Wellington. See how the hotel compares to the rest in the 25 Best Hotels in Wellington.

Check U Boutique Hotel out:

8. U Suites Kilbirnie

Nestled between Wellington Airport, Lyall Bay and Wellington city centre, U Suites Kilbirnie is not only an excellent base to see it all but offers families more facilities in their fully self-contained apartments. Stay in spacious modern apartments with rooms to suit various sizes of tribes, even up to eight people in the same apartment. All the essentials are here, from free WiFi right down to personal laundry machines – ideal for an extended stay in the city.

Check U Suites Kilbirnie out:

9. Newlands Court Motel

If you need a place to stay on your way in or out of Wellington, choose Newlands Court Motel. The motel in the Wellington suburb of Newlands boasts premium studios sleeping three guests and family suites sleeping up to six guests. Some rooms come with a spa bath with funky light displays that everyone will want to use, while the fully equipped kitchens are complete with ovens and a dishwasher, making self-catering almost more appealing than eating out!

Check Newlands Court Motel out:

10. TrinketBox

Wellington city might not have a great variety of holiday homes, but a hidden gem is TrinketBox. This three-level three-bedroom holiday home in Thorndon is just a 5-10-minute walk from the city centre and nearby the Wellington Botanic Garden – one of the 21 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Wellington. The house is equipped with modern fixtures including two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, as well as a patio area with views of the leafy suburbs, hills and city.

Check TrinketBox out:

TrinketBox on Booking.com

11. James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor

Stay right in the middle of it all at the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor located on The Terrace. The Cable Car, Parliament and shopping/dining precincts are right on your doorstep to enjoy in between nights in your more affordable “Terrace Room” with two double beds or spacious “Family Room” with a lounge. You’re also bound to find food for even the fussiest eaters at the buffet served at the on-site restaurant.

Check the James Cook Hotel out:

12. Bolton Hotel

If you’re looking for optimum space in the city centre then set your sights on the Bolton Hotel. The five-star hotel boasts the largest hotel room sizes in the city, whether you choose to stay in the “Premier Twin Suite” with two double beds or treat your family to the “Bolton”, “Presidential” or “Residence Suites” with two bedrooms, lounge, kitchen and bathroom. Whatever you choose, you’ll have access to your own kitchen facilities, as well as fine dining at the Artisan restaurant or casual dining at the Lobby Cafe & Bar. See more stays like this in the 10 Best Luxury Accommodations in Wellington.

Check Bolton Hotel out:

13. Trinity Hotel

Offering hotel accommodation for the more budget-conscious and smaller family, Trinity Hotel provides rooms for up to three guests. Choose the “Trinity Twin Room” with one queen and one single bed or you could split rooms between a queen room or a “Twin Single” room should your family be larger. The hotel has all the usual facilities, including a bar and restaurant popular with guests and locals alike. What’s more, the city centre location is ideal. See more cheap options in the 15 BEST Budget Accommodations in Wellington.

Check Trinity Hotel out:

14. Airport Motor Lodge

Located in the happening suburb of Miramar, home to bustling cafes, a boutique cinema, the Weta Workshop and Wellington Airport, Airport Motor Lodge provides modern accommodation for families. All of the rooms are spacious, with the “Spa Studio” and “Large Studio” being the best options for families of three and four. The motor lodge offers free parking and free airport transfers, making your stay here simply effortless.

Check Airport Motor Lodge out:

15. Halswell Lodge

Halswell Lodge offers a bit of everything: budget hotel rooms, spacious family motel units and a luxurious lodge with spa baths. The motel is the best option for families on the move, providing units with two bedrooms, a lounge, bathroom and kitchen facilities. Some units have a sunny deck area and a spa bath. Alternatively, studio units are available sleeping up to three people. On-site parking is on a first-come-first-served basis but can be reserved for a reasonable fee. The motel is located just off Courtenay Place, Wellington’s main street.

Check Halswell Lodge out:

[UPDATE] Harbour City Motor Inn

[Update: This accommodation is no longer accepting short-term guests, as it now provides emergency housing in Wellington].

There’s plenty of space for the whole family in one of the Family Units of the Harbour City Motor Inn. For those travelling by car, you could be hitting the jackpot with the Harbour City Motor Inn offering free undercover parking yet being a mere five minutes walk from Wellington’s city centre. The affordable Family Unit has a queen bed and a single bed in one room and two singles in the lounge. You’ll be kept warm with the electric blankets, while able to make your own meals using private kitchen facilities. Larger groups can also make use of the motor inn’s three-bedroom apartment with a conservatory.

More Family Accommodations in Wellington

That’s it for our list of the best family accommodations in Wellington, but it’s by no means the end of our Wellington tips! Check out these articles to make the most of your time in Wellington:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Guide to Wellington for Families.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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