20 BEST Hotels & Places to Stay in Taupo 🛎️ [2024]

Where to Find the Best Hotels and Alternative Accommodations in Taupo

Lakeside or a short stroll from town? Luxury or budget-friendly? Something for the family or a romantic getaway? You have many options when it comes to hotels in Taupo. What’s more, most of Taupo’s top places to stay aren’t exactly hotels! We go through all our top picks in this complete list of the best places to stay in Taupo.

For more inspiration for your stay by the “Great Lake”, be sure to take a look at 20 Best Things to Do in Taupo and The Complete Guide to Taupo.

1. Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuel Taupo – The Best Hotel in Taupo

Another fantastic hotel option with two choices of restaurants, one bar and a wealth of spa facilities is the Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuel Taupo. Set on the shores of Lake Taupo, your meals in the restaurant, as well as evenings in your room come accompanied by some of the best views in town. The design-driven hotel boasts a glamorous elegance across its 12 suites and 39 guest rooms suitable for solo travellers, business travellers and couples. The hotel also features a heated swimming pool, private grotto plunge pool, sauna and a gym.

Check Millennium Hotel Lake Taupo out:

2. The Cove – The Best Lakefront Accommodation in Taupo

Enjoy an idyllic lakefront location combined with convenience by being just a short walk from town at The Cove. The Cove features three types of accommodation: “Budget”, “Corporate” and “Luxury”, which are pretty self-explanatory. “The Cove Penthouse” is your finest option at the hotel boasting a deluxe spa pool in a glass enclosure, while the budget “Compact Studios” are well-appointed yet affordable. Although some rooms have kitchen facilities, you can still pick up some glorious food from the Espresso Cove Cafe usually open until 3 pm.

Check The Cove out:

3. Hilton Lake Taupo – Five-Star Hotel in Taupo

Elevated far enough away from town for a relaxing ambience yet close enough for convenience, Hilton Lake Taupo is one of the most prestigious hotels in Taupo. The hotel has 113 contemporary-style rooms, suites and apartments, with options in the “Heritage Wing” boasting fabulous views of Lake Taupo and the Onekeneke Thermal Valley. Facilities at the luxury hotel in Taupo also include tennis courts, a sauna, steam room, heated spa pool and the Bistro Lago restaurant.

Check Hilton Lake Taupo out:

4. Suncourt Hotel & Conference Centre – Taupo Hotel Close to the Town Centre

Boasting modern rooms, lavish en-suites and either a garden or a lake view, the Suncourt Hotel is well worth considering for your stay by the Great Lake. There’s something for all traveller types across their 52 rooms made up of studios and one, two and three-bedroom units. All rooms provide the essentials, such as tea/coffee-making facilities, Sky TV and a bar fridge. Food can be enjoyed at the on-site Lake Bistro open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Check Suncourt Hotel out:

5. Sacred Waters Taupo – Luxury Apartment Hotel in Taupo

Indulge in your own private piece of Taupo at Sacred Waters Taupo. The ultra-contemporary and sleek design of these suites and apartments are sure to wow. Apartments fit most group sizes, while most also have luxurious fixings such as a private balcony, thermal mineral pool, underfloor heating, espresso machines and free WiFi. More facilities on the apartment complex also feature an outdoor lap pool, gym, undercover parking, complimentary bike hire (you’re five minutes drive from town) and individual beach access from ground floor apartments.

Check Sacred Waters Taupo out:

20 BEST Hotels & Places to Stay in Taupo 🛎️ [2023]

6. eMotel – The Best Motel in Taupo

Taupo is primarily a town of motels with one of the most reputed being eMotel. As the name implies, the contemporary motel boasts techy touches, such as apartment numbers and codes sent by text/email on the day of arrival, as well as free WiFi and 55″ smart TVs available in each apartment. Kitchen facilities are also included, as well as welcome extras like a lake view and a private sunny courtyard. There are two room types at eMotel, including a one-bedroom apartment and a two-bedroom apartment with a super-king bed in one room and two king singles in the other.

Check eMotel out:

7. Beechtree Motel – Boutique Accommodation in Taupo

An ultra-modern motel with architecture that turns heads and a hotel-like quality about it, the Beechtree Motel is a fantastic choice for couples, business travellers and families. The 39 rooms of this boutique accommodation include luxury studios and two and three-bedroom apartments with all of the fixings. Each room has Sky TV and free WiFi and is furnished to the standard of a four-star hotel. What’s more, the motel is a quick stroll from town. See more options like this in our 15 Best Motels in Taupo.

Check Beechtree Motel out:

8. Baycrest Lodge – Taupo Accommodation with a Pool

For an accommodation that goes the extra mile when it comes to quality and design, check out Baycrest Lodge. Kitchenettes are all part of the parcel here, as well as some family suites and suites ideal for couples with its own in-ground hot pool. The Baycrest is designed for a glorious night in, with features to make your stay comfortable, such as underfloor heating, a spa bath and some rooms with a balcony. You can also treat yourself to breakfast in bed with breakfast delivery.

Check Baycrest Lodge out:

9. Huka Lodge – The Best Luxury Lodge in Taupo

On the banks of the mighty Waikato River sits a lodge where the interiors and gardens have been manicured by some of New Zealand’s top designers, where fly fishermen have retreated here since the 1920s, where now it boasts one of the most luxurious getaways in the country. Huka Lodge consists of three luxurious lodges for couples and families. Downtime at the lodge can be spent relaxing on the beautiful grounds, getting a refresh in the swimming pool or spa pools, playing tennis, croquet or petanque, discovering something new in the library and so much more. For more upscale lodges like this, check out the 15 Best Luxury Accommodations in Taupo.

Check Huka Lodge out:

10. The Reef Resort – Heritage Collection – The Best Resort in Taupo

Part of the Heritage Collection, The Reef Resort boasts the home comforts that Heritage is famous for: superbly-equipped kitchens, spacious suites with separate bedrooms and luxurious furnishings. There are some added extras to make your stay special, from the spa baths to an attractive outdoor pool area and thermally-heated spa pools. Room types include studios and one-bedroom apartments.

Check The Reef Resort out:

11. Taupo Debretts Spa Resort – The Best Holiday Park in Taupo

Whether you’re travelling around in an RV, looking for a cheap unit with shared facilities or a more upscale self-contained motel unit, there’s plenty of choice for all travellers at Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort. But it’s not the accommodation that gets us the most excited about this place to stay in Taupo… DeBretts boasts a thermal pool park complete with hydro slides! There’s also an on-site cafe also makes a great option for food. As a fantastic option for families, we also list this one in the 15 Best Family Accommodations in Taupo.

Check Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort out:

12. Haka Lodge Taupo – The Best Hostel in Taupo

One of Taupo’s cheapest accommodations and best hostels, Haka Lodge Taupo aims for more of the “flashpacker experience” with a free spa pool and WiFi. Book a bed in a bunk dorm where each bunk is equipped with a privacy curtain, personal power socket and reading light, while private rooms with and without an ensuite bathroom are also available. The communal spaces are also pretty sweet with a very functional kitchen, cosy lounge and deck area. There are many more awesome hostels in Taupo so be sure to check out the 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Taupo.

Check Haka Lodge Taupo out:

13. Lake Taupo Holiday Home – Cheap Holiday Home in Taupo

Another accommodation style to consider for staying in Taupo is a holiday home. The aptly named Lake Taupo Holiday Home provides one of the best-value holiday homes in the area, but snap this one up quick as it’s often fully booked! The two-bedroom home offers a fantastic private space for up to four guests – there are also reduced rates for fewer people staying here. Either way, you’ll have a large TV with streaming services to keep you entertained and a large bathroom. Kitchen facilities are quite limited, however. For alternative affordable stays, check out the 10 BEST Budget Accommodations in Taupo.

Check Lake Taupo Holiday Home out:

Lake Taupo Holiday Home on Booking.com

14. Huka Heights – The Best Holiday Home in Taupo

An alternative holiday home just on the outskirts of town, yet on the way to highlights like Huka Falls and the Wairakei Tourist Park, Huka Heights is a three-bedroom two-bathroom holiday home. Enjoy entertaining from the large open-plan kitchen complete with an island, dishwasher and large dining area spilling onto expansive decks and gardens outside. What’s more, the property is managed by Bachcare, which offers additional quality and services compared to many other holiday homes in the area.

Check Huka Heights out:

15. Cascades Lakefront Motel – The Best Waterfront Accommodation in Taupo

You can hardly get more on the lakefront than Cascades Lakefront Motel. Plus, calling this accommodation a “motel” is a bit of an understatement; it’s more like a lakefront resort with leisure being at the forefront of the experience, with an outdoor pool, spa pool, kayaks and paddleboards to hire, children’s playground and more. Needless to say, this is a top choice for families, but couples will find a romantic stay here too in the studios with a spa bath and mountain views.

Check Cascades Lakefront Motel out:

16. Wairakei Resort – Out-of-Town Hotel with a Golf Course

Set among the forested slopes of the Wairakei Thermal Valley, the Wairakei Resort offers an out-of-town retreat in Taupo. It’s the place to unwind with the resort’s very own nine-hole golf course, on-site day spa, and Pavilion Restaurant, famous for its seasonal buffets and Sunday roasts. What’s more, there are rooms to suit any type of traveller or group. Treat your loved one to a romantic night in the “Spa Suite”, find space for all the family in the “Family Villa”, or enjoy an intimate gathering in the split-level “Rangatira Suite”.

Check Wairakei Resort Taupo out:

17. Quest Taupo – Self-Contained Accommodation in Taupo

This national apartment hotel chain has an excellent branch in Taupo offering sleek and stylish self-contained serviced apartments. The 38 apartments of Quest Taupo are made up of studios, as well as one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Additional features of the hotel include in-house movies, on-site parking, an outdoor swimming pool, WiFi and breakfast packs available. What’s more, Quest Taupo is located just a short walk from town. See more self-catering stays in the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Taupo.

Check Quest Taupo out:

18. Chalet Eiger – The Best B&B in Taupo

Another upscale lodge on the outskirts of Taupo, Chalet Eiger offers four hotel-style suites at its luxury B&B. The main event, however, is the homely living room and dining area, complete with a cosy fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows to revel in the lake vistas. While breakfast is included, you are invited to indulge in an option two or three-course dinner with pre-dinner drinks and nibbles, New Zealand wine and a unique Lake Taupo trout dinner that is rare to experience anywhere else in New Zealand. For more couple-centric stays, take a look at the 10 Most Romantic Accommodations in Taupo.

Check Chalet Eiger out:

19. Lakefront Lodge Taupo – Taupo Accommodation with a Spa Pool

The chalet-style hotel just across the road from the glistening waters of Lake Taupo, the Lakefront Lodge Taupo provides a comfortable and relatively affordable stay on the way into town. Budget travellers to families are catered to here with the hotel’s wide variety of rooms surrounding a central courtyard containing a thermally-heated pool and spa pool.

Check Lakefront Lodge out:

20. Quality Suites Huka Falls – Cottage-Style Accommodation Close to Huka Falls

Perched on a hilltop among manicured gardens and a vineyard, Quality Suites Huka Falls offers an alternative retreat for couples, groups and families. In between swimming in the pool, playing at the tennis courts and visiting the nearby Huka Falls, stay in a choice of studios for two or one-to-three-bedroom suites or “The Cottage”.

Check Quality Suites Huka Falls out:

More Hotels in Taupo

Now that you know the best hotels in Taupo, check out what awesome things there are to do, as well as alternative accommodations:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to Taupo.

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

Robin C.

This article has been reviewed and approved by Robin, who is the co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. With more than 15 years of experience in the New Zealand tourism industry, Robin has co-founded three influential tourism businesses and five additional travel guides for South Pacific nations. He is an expert in New Zealand travel and has tested over 600 activities and 300+ accommodations across the country.

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