Wellington is small enough that almost any central hotel puts you within walking distance of the main sights. The real choice is the feel of the neighbourhood: business-district polish around Lambton Quay, the lively streets of Te Aro and Cuba Street, or the harbour edge near Oriental Parade. These five hotels cover those areas and a range of budgets.
Lambton Quay and the business district
This is the city's commercial heart, close to shopping, the Cable Car and Wellington Station. InterContinental Wellington, at 2 Grey Street, is the luxury pick, with an indoor pool, a 24-hour gym, two restaurants and a bar, and the Cable Car about two minutes away on foot. ibis Wellington, at 153 Featherston Street, is the budget choice, with a restaurant, a bar and Wellington Station about six minutes away. This area is quiet in the evenings compared with Te Aro, but it is the most convenient for trains, shopping and the Cable Car.
Te Aro, Cuba Street and the museum district
Te Aro is where Wellington's cafes, bars, theatres and independent shops cluster. Naumi Studio Wellington, at 213 Cuba Street, puts you on the most characterful street in the city, about five minutes from Cuba Street Mall and eight from Courtenay Place. Museum Apartment Hotel, at 90 Cable Street, is two minutes from Te Papa and offers studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments with an indoor pool, a hot tub and a sauna, a good choice for families and longer stays. Cuba Street is lively late into the evening, so ask for a quieter room if you are a light sleeper.
The waterfront and Oriental Parade
The harbour edge is a pleasant place to wake up, with a promenade for walks and runs and Te Papa nearby. Bay Plaza Hotel, at 40 Oriental Parade, is a mid-range waterfront hotel with 76 rooms, a restaurant, a bar and room service, about five minutes from Te Papa and three from Courtenay Place. It has no pool or gym, so it suits visitors who plan to be out all day.
Seasons and rates
Summer and school holidays are the busiest, and rates rise, so book early. Check what is included, since breakfast is a paid extra at most of these hotels, and compare rates with and without it. Parking is charged per night everywhere, and it is limited, so if you do not plan to hire a car you can save by skipping it. Wellington Airport is a short drive from all five hotels, roughly 15 to 19 minutes. If you are arriving late or leaving early, the Lambton Quay and station hotels make the simplest connections, while the Te Aro and waterfront hotels put you closer to the evening scene. Visitors planning a day trip to Kapiti Island or the Wairarapa often prefer a base near the station, since the train is easiest from there, though most tours collect from central hotels across the city. Whichever area you choose, you are never far from the waterfront.
How to choose
For full facilities and a minute's walk to Lambton Quay, choose InterContinental Wellington. For apartment space beside Te Papa, choose Museum Apartment Hotel. For a stylish base on Cuba Street, choose Naumi Studio Wellington. For a waterfront mid-range stay, choose Bay Plaza Hotel. For a budget base near the station, choose ibis Wellington.
