Where to stay in Wellington — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Wellington is New Zealand's capital, set at the southern tip of the North Island on a bay ringed by hills. It's known as the windiest capital city in the world and is a hub of art, culture, and film (home to Weta Workshop, creators of Lord of the Rings). It's a compact, easy-to-walk city full of superb coffee cafes and a lively waterfront.
Why stay in Wellington
Te Papa Museum
Te Papa is the free national museum on the waterfront, showcasing nature, Māori culture, and New Zealand history.
Ride the cable car up the hill
The historic Wellington Cable Car takes you up to the botanic garden, with views over the city and bay from the top.
Behind the scenes of film
Wētā Workshop reveals the effects behind Lord of the Rings and Avatar — take the Weta Cave tour.
Coffee and beer culture
Wellington has the densest number of coffee roasters and craft breweries per capita in the country.
Ranked reviews — find your ideal stay in Wellington
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
Find the right Wellington hotel for you
1 ranked reviewsNo reviews match these filters — try removing one or two
Local dishes to try in Wellington
- 1☕
Specialty coffee
Wellington is New Zealand's coffee capital, with roasters like Havana and Flight throughout the Cuba quarter.
📍 Cuba Street - 2🍻
Craft beer
Hannahs Laneway gathers craft breweries like Garage Project, which is renowned across the country.
📍 Hannahs Laneway - 3🦞
Seafood and green-lipped mussels
Green-lipped mussels and fresh fish from Cook Strait, served at restaurants by the bay and the fish market.
📍 Waterfront - 4🍫
Cafes and desserts
Brunch and cakes in compact cafes all over town — cafe culture is part of everyday life for Wellingtonians.
📍 City Centre - 5🌮
International food
From Malaysian and Vietnamese to Mexican, Cuba Street and Courtenay Place gather restaurants from around the world.
📍 Cuba Street
- 1🏛️
Te Papa Tongarewa
The national museum on the bay, free to enter, with exhibits on earthquakes, the giant squid, and Māori culture.
📍 Waterfront - 2🚡
Wellington Cable Car
The legendary red funicular linking Lambton Quay with the botanic garden — a great spot for city-view photos.
📍 City Centre - 3🌿
Mount Victoria Lookout
A hilltop lookout with views over the whole city, bay, and airport, and a Lord of the Rings filming location.
📍 Mount Victoria - 4🎬
Wētā Workshop
The Oscar-winning special-effects studio, with tours behind the scenes of building sets and characters for hit films.
📍 Miramar - 5🦅
Zealandia
An urban bird sanctuary fenced off from predators, where you can see New Zealand's rare birds, including kiwi at night.
📍 Karori - 6🛍️
Cuba Street
A super-arty pedestrian street full of cafes, vintage shops, street music, and the Bucket Fountain.
📍 Te Aro
Things to do in Wellington
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Wellington — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
3 Wellington hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.2ValueThe Dwellington
#4 boutique guesthouse · highest score in town, free breakfast
★ 9.0LuxurySofitel Wellington
#1 most luxurious · 5-star in the heart of the CBD
★ 8.8LuxuryQT Museum Wellington
#2 waterfront design · spa pool with bay views
โรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในWellington
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
InterContinental Wellington
#3 5-star · largest indoor pool, harbourside
Gilmer Apartment Hotel
#9 Apartment Hotel · full kitchen · 5-min walk to the waterfront
Rydges Wellington
#5 indoor pool in the CBD · kitchenette in every room
Travelodge Hotel Wellington
#7 mid-range · Lambton Quay refit · best value
Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay
#6 4-star · Oriental Bay views · balcony rooms
Haven't found the one? Search all 3 sites yourself
Compare real-time room availability for your Wellington dates
🚆 Getting around Wellington
Metlink buses
Buses cover the whole city and suburbs — tap on with a Snapper card or a credit card.
Suburban trains
Metlink trains from Wellington Station run to the Hutt Valley, Porirua, and the Kapiti Coast.
Walking
The compact city centre makes it easy to walk from the waterfront Te Papa to Cuba Street and the cable car.
Inter-island ferry
The Interislander and Bluebridge ferries cross Cook Strait to Picton on the South Island in about 3.5 hours.
Where to go next near Wellington
AucklandNew Zealand's biggest city, wedged between two harbours and dotted with dormant volcanoes and yacht-filled marinas.
See this city's guide →
ChristchurchThe South Island's largest city, rebuilt from earthquake into a creative town on the banks of the Avon River.
See this city's guide →
QueenstownA town on Lake Wakatipu beneath the Remarkables, the world's adventure-sport capital.
See this city's guide →
RotoruaA geothermal town of bubbling mud pools and hot springs, and the heart of Māori culture.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Wellington
Why is Wellington so windy?+
The city sits at the end of Cook Strait, where wind funnels between the two islands, making it the windiest capital in the world — bring a windbreaker.
How many days do you need in Wellington?+
Two days is enough for Te Papa, the cable car, and the city's cafes — allow more time if you're continuing by ferry to the South Island.
How do I get from Wellington to the South Island?+
Take the ferry across Cook Strait to Picton, about 3.5 hours, with views of the Marlborough Sounds along the way.
Ready to book your Wellington stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking