15 Of The Best Wellington Stays For A Vacay With Wow Factor

Get the gang prepped for a stay in one of Wellington’s most jaw-dropping homes. This architect-designed three-bedroom Airbnb featured on Grand Designs NZ and once you step inside you’ll see why. Described as a “hanging forty-five degree house”, your accommodation sits on a super steep slope that appears to drape over the cliff face (a bit like a backpack).

Expect picture postcard views across the harbour, an internal glass lift, cutting-edge tech and a private spa pool for lazy afternoon soaks—all within five minutes of Wellington CBD. Hell yeah, we’re here for it!

Perched on a ridgeline, this private studio provides beautiful 360-degree views of the whole capital, so you can really take it all in. With a private outdoor hot bathtub overlooking the city, thoughtful architectural designs, and shelves of creative books and magazines, it is really an artist's dream.

Throw in the fact that you're just a three-minute toddle to the bus stop, so getting into Wellington CBD for a spot of retail therapy is easy and fast, and it sounds like the Welly retreat you need…

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 memorable 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.

Call the entire top floor of one of Wellington’s most photographed buildings home for a while at this 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.

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 accommodation 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.

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 pad can provide meals as required too. Phew!

If you think there’s something a little bit spesh about treating your loved one to a stay in a unique Airbnb, this Wellington tiny home will have you rubbing your hands with glee. Your accommodation 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 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 stroll away, so stocking up on provisions won’t be a chore.

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. Dine in style 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 the 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? 

Prepare for a cosy 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 accommodation 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.

Bundle in the on-site cable car, enjoy the 44-second trundle up the hill and you’ll find yourself in a very special place. This NZ Airbnb has panoramic views over Raukawa Moana (Cook Strait) to the majestic Kaikōura mountains of the South Island. It’s quite simply bliss—in the heart of a wildlife reserve and yet within 12 minutes of Wellington’s city centre.

Your accommodation is cosy, with wooden interiors and an upstairs loft, accessed via ladder, for sleeping in. Pour yourself a drop and take to the retro green outdoor bath for a leisurely soak. It’s an epic spot at sunset, and come nightfall you’ll get the best view of the southern sky.

Opened in November 2022, Naumi Hotel Wellington is the glorious sister property to Naumi Studios also included in our round-up. Made up of 62 suites with huge floor-to-ceiling windows, sumptuous velvet, colourful accents and unique furnishings, this spot is the perfect Wellington pied-à-terre.

This hotel has the largest TVs in NZ at 65" complete with access to all the streaming services should your stay call for a little Netflix and chill with room service. We recommend you pair your stay with a stop by Lola Rouge Bar for cocktails and a bite to eat to kick-start or even bookmark a great night out.

For the quintessential Wellington experience, you really can’t go past Cuba Street, so why not stay smack-bang in the thick of it? Thanks to Naumi Studio Hotel Wellington, you can. Located in a lovingly restored and renovated heritage building, Naumi gives a nod to the past and embraces the future, making it one of the best hotels in Wellington.

The parrot-green parlour is also an inviting space to sink a beverage, knock out some emails, or indulge in a spot of people-watching. To truly understand the Naumi vibe, be sure to ask the staff about Lady Naumi, the fictional custodian of the hotel—you’ll see her mischievous grin beaming down over the front desk. Once you’re ready to recharge your batteries, settle into one of the hotel’s 116 rooms. There are six types to choose from, so whether you’re after a cosy and cute studio or an extravagant suite, there’s something for every style and budget.

Fabulously located just around the corner from Te Papa, TRYP by Wyndham Wellington is a boujee four-star accommodation that will tick all your boxes.

Opened in February 2023, this fully renovated heritage-listed building features 77 rooms which is a mix of hotel rooms, studio apartments and the largest luxury penthouse in central Wellington no less. Each room has its individual style and the hotel stays true to its Art Deco roots, with a nod to Old Chicago. We're obsessed with the old-worldly feel in the heart of town.

One of the newest kids on one of Wellington’s coolest blocks, The Intrepid is a hotel for people who love travelling and are looking for somewhere more than just a place to get their nightly zzz’s. Located in the buzzy Te Aro neighbourhood, a hop away from craft beer breweries and lively eateries, this is top-notch accommodation with a cool, urban edge.

With just 18 rooms, the hotel is small but perfectly formed. Each room has been carefully curated to provide a memorable experience, with unique artwork and rugs, plush robes and premium New Zealand-made toiletries. These luxe features sit amongst shabby brick walls and exposed pipes, so you’ll get the feeling you’re in a trendy New York apartment.

Eat your heart out, luxury ice cream brand Mövenpick launched its very own hotel in Wellington in late 2024 complete with a 24-hour in-room Sundae Service, and a daily 'Chocolate Hour' where you can watch experts craft cupcakes, chocolate truffles and other treats in the hotel lobby. Sandwiched between the scenic Wellington hills and Cuba Street, this is one hotel that is a must-stay for sweet tooths.

Add to this a heated indoor lap pool, sauna and fitness centre—for you to burn off the sugar perhaps?—and this hotel has all the makings of an excellent stay regardless of whether you have little ones in tow. Who, by the way, get to smash free ice cream for the duration of their stay. Ye gods.