11 Of The Best Romantic Stays Near Wellington For A Loved-Up NZ Trip

Oh hello historic city centre artists’ lair. Plimmer Bolthole is described as “so much more than a bed for the night” and we couldn’t agree more. This top-floor apartment in an 106-year-old Edwardian gem is a feast for the eyes and a seriously romantic New Zealand stay. 

Inside, you’ve got original Matai floors, high ceilings and sash windows which look out onto the streets of Wellington. It’s incredibly arty, with painting-adorned walls, antique furniture, books, brass accents, tactile fabrics and deep seating in which to cosy up with your plus one. Outside, you’re in the heart of everything and a literal stroll away from all of Wellington’s best bits, including the Cable Car, Cuba St and waterfront, plus there’s public transport  just up the street if you need it.

We’re living our best tiny house lives in this adorable little stay less than 45 minutes from Wellington city centre. The headliner here is the fantasy glasshouse dining room which is so cute that it deserves an Insta page of its own. Enjoy a romantic dinner with your other half, while surrounded by festoon lights, plants and colourful knicknacks and it’s sure to be an evening to remember. The best bit? This pad is dog-friendly too so you can bring Floof along to share in all the fun. 

When you’re not immersed in the dining room of our dreams, there’s still a whole lot more to explore. Your tiny home has an open plan living space with large French doors opening out to the big sunny deck where you can sit and admire the view. The breakfast bar is a top spot in which to enjoy a cuppa sitting beneath its picture-perfect striped awning, but wait, there’s more. This pad comes with resident alpacas (Tofu and Pom Pom) who love to be hand fed from the bowl of pellets the hosts can provide. Could this stay get any cuter? 

If you think there’s something a little bit spesh about treating your loved one to a stay in a unique Airbnb, this Wellington spot will have you rubbing your hands with glee. Your home away from home is a former art studio that was built to resemble a lighthouse (and it has an original lighthouse light no less). It’s since been converted to a romantic New Zealand bolthole with a comfy double bed and a view to die for. Yes it’s cosy, with steep, narrow stairs, a kitchenette and a compact bathroom, but head to the top floor and the vista is truly magical. Snuggle up together up there, with a glass of New Zealand’s finest to watch the waves roll in, and we swear the hours will just fly by. 

This accommodation is pet-friendly on request, and sits opposite a dog and swimming beach and rock pools. There’s a popular cafe around the corner and the shops are just a 10-minute stoll away, so stocking up on provisions won’t be a chore.

Go completely off-grid and let the good times roll at this adults-only getaway 35 minutes’ drive from Wellington. This romantic New Zealand stay offers the best views of Kapiti Island and beyond and sits in its own serene little spot surrounded by grassland.

Your pad is compact but beautifully formed, with a queen bedroom from where you can lie and watch the sun dance over the water. It’s also got a rather fancy black outdoor bath that we reckon would pair nicely with a glass of local vino. Your kitchen has two gas hobs and there’s a barbecue for sizzling up a steak. Plus, catering can be arranged if you fancy upping the luxe factor a little bit more.

Call the entire top floor of one of Wellington’s most photographed buildings home for a while at this romantic city centre stay. Your 80 sqm apartment is just two minutes’ walk from Courtenay Place and the waterfront so it’s perfectly positioned so you and your plus one can enjoy the ultimate city vacay. 

Inside, you’ll find well-trodden hardwood floors that echo the building’s industrial past, but elsewhere it’s all mod-cons, with smart appliances, quality linen and a super-king bed. Pop your luggage in the lift and if you take the stairs you’ll arrive at the top at the same time it does! Then grab a coldie, settle into one of the cosy leather lounge chairs and plan your next move.

How about a romantic stay in a truly off-grid shipping container on 31 hectares of ecological reserve? If a getaway among nature is on your checklist then Komaru Ridge is worth a squiz. Located 45 minutes from Wellington CBD, it’s in a secluded place where you’ll be treated to stunning sunsets over the Cook Strait and some truly wild landscape.

Your little black box has an open lounge, kitchen and dining area, as well as a separate bedroom, bathroom and another small lounge. You might fancy rugging up and delving into one of the bean bags on your front deck with a steaming cuppa and admiring the view, or perhaps snuggling around the wood-burning fireplace indoors is more your thing. It’s worth noting that you are in a remote area at this stay, and you should come prepped for changeable weather.

If you’re after a pad that offers a heap of romantic extras then this self-contained apartment in a seaside village outside of Wellington could be just the thing. Nothing is too much trouble for the hosts of this stay, and they’ll help you with any travel planning you need. Fancy a packed picnic you can take to a romantic spot with your other half and enjoy? They can do it. How about a day trip to the local wineries? Yep, they can help with that too. Plus, they’ve got kayaks, bikes, fishing gear and a paddle board available for you to use, so there’s a whole lotta stuff you can do.

Your cosy living space is just steps from the beach and has its own private access. You’ve also got your own deck with a lovely sea view that just calls out for an afternoon cocktail. Not keen on the hassle of sorting dinner? The hosts of this stay can provide meals as required too. Phew!

Looking for something a little bit different to impress your plus one with? A stay in the deliciously jewel-coloured Nook Dome is anything but bland. Offered as part of a pilot project to test the feasibility of using accommodation to fund biodiversity projects, this off-the-wall romantic stay is set on eight hectares of retired farming land.

The Nook hangs above a gully 20 minutes from Wellington, looking out over the ocean and Kapiti Island. It sleeps up to three, with a queen bed, a pullout single and a kitchenette with a fridge/freezer, gas hobs, microwave and toaster. There’s also a bathroom with a shower and a composting toilet, and the peeps that own this place provide all linen and hot water bottles to keep you cosy as the temperatures drop. Settle in and put some romantic tunes on the bluetooth stereo. There’s card games to play, and a lovely outdoor bath that just wants you to add some bubbles come sunset.

Adorable name, adorable home. Two Peas In A Pod might just be Wellington’s best kept secret. This little box-shaped gem is one of two pods occupying a top spot just a six-minute stroll from the local train station and a 12-minute train ride from Wellington. You can enjoy the city delights while retiring to your own private sanctuary at this romantic stay (which was helicoptered into position no less), and it boasts a handmade cedar outdoor hot tub for soaking in. Bliss!

Lie back in the bubbles and try to spot the local wildlife, including Tui, Fantail, Kaka, and Kereru, before deciding what to do for dinner. Your pod is full-equipped so you can rustle something up, or you could take a walk through the native forest to find the pubs and eateries beyond. An added bonus? The peeps that own this place have no issues with a late checkout so you can hit that snooze button in the morning.

Say hello to a luxury escape an hour from Wellington overlooking the majestic Lake Wairarapa. This romantic stay is surrounded by farmland and offers your own private spa and gardens so you and your loved one can really embrace that serenity.

Wake in your king size bed and enjoy a complimentary light breakfast against a backdrop of water views. You’re welcome to explore the 23-acre property if you’d like to—you’ll find bush walks, elevated picnic areas and friendly pet goats and sheep to chat to on your way. Back at base, you might want to throw a snag on the barbecue and dine out on your deck. After that? Did we mention the hot tub already?

Prepare for a romantic space in which you and your beloved can press pause. The Wellnest is an architectural take on a cabin in the woods, and it’s conveniently located in the leafy hills that overlook Wellington city. Book in here and you’ll get a guesthouse designed for seamless indoor/outdoor living (it won the Airbnb award for Best New Host in 2024). 

Throw open the sliding bay window in your living space and find yourself on the patio, which is a great spot to enjoy breakfast or lunch surrounded by greenery. There’s a 3-4 person infra-red barrel sauna out here, so you can amp up the pampering with a garden view. Once refreshed, why not take a 30-minute downhill stroll into the heart of the city. Your rainfall shower, fresh white towels and waffle cotton bathrobes will be there waiting for when you return.