Where to Stay in Napier and Hawke's Bay: Best Areas and Hotels

Where to stay in Napier & Hawke’s Bay – What you need to know

Hawke’s Bay is a New Zealand region located on the east coast of the North Island.

This bay extends from Mahia Peninsula to Cape Kidnappers.

Hawke’s Bay is famous worldwide for producing some of the best wines on the planet.

This beautiful New Zealand region includes fertile agricultural land, surfing beaches, mountain ranges, and forests.

Where to Stay in Napier and Hawke's Bay - Best Areas and Hotels — Where to Stay in Napier and Hawke’s Bay – Best Areas and Hotels

The city of Napier is located in the central area of Hawke’s Bay. It is home to the Regional Council and one of the most interesting cities in New Zealand thanks to its architectural heritage.

In addition to spectacular and well-established wine cellars and the interesting Art Deco buildings of Napier, Hawke’s Bay has important natural attractions such as Te Mata Peak, Elephant Hill, Cape Kidnappers, Lake Waikaremoana or Te Urewera National Park.

Napier is the recommended area to stay in Hawke’s Bay given its coastal position and historical-architectural heritage (something that few Kiwi cities could brag about). That said, the city of Hastings, located inland, is also an excellent area to stay in Hawke’s Bay given its proximity to many natural attractions. (See accommodation in Napier | (See accommodation in Hastings).

Accommodation Options in Hawke’s Bay & Napier

Hotels in Hawke’s Bay

The best hotels to stay in Hawke’s Bay

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Hostels in Hawke’s Bay

Hostels and cheap stays in Hawke’s Bay

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Apartments in Hawke’s Bay

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Bed & Breakfast in Hawke’s Bay

Inns, B&Bs and guest houses in several areas around Hawke’s Bay

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The Best aras to stay in Napiers & Hawke’s Bay

1. Recommended area to stay: Napier CBD

Napier is one of the two most important urban centres of Hawke’s Bay and its main seaport.

The main tourist attraction in Napier is its historic centre, which attracts enthusiasts of art and architecture from around the world.

The reconstruction period after the 1931 earthquake coincided with the brief and changing Art Deco era and the Great Depression, as a result, Napier’s architecture is surprisingly different from any other city in New Zealand or even the world.

The whole centre of Napier was reconstructed simultaneously and shows a homogeneous art deco style.

Napier is also an important transport hub in the Hawke’s Bay region, from its bus station it is possible to reach almost anywhere on the North Island, making it the recommended area to stay in Hawke’s Bay if you do not have a car.

Many visitors use Napier as a gateway to Hawke’s Bay, given the city’s proximity to the Hawke’s Bay airport, which has direct flights to Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch.

Nearby attractions include the Cape Kidnappers gannet colony and many vineyards bordering Taradale, the town of Hastings, Bay View and the Esk Valley.

Where to stay in Napier and Hawke's Bay — Where to stay in Napier and Hawke’s Bay

Best places to stay in Hawke's Bay - Napier — Best places to stay in Hawke’s Bay – Napier

Napier - Click to see all hotels on a map — Napier – Click to see all hotels on a map

What makes this the best area to stay in Hawke’s Bay

Tourist city
Art Decó architecture
Hawke’s Bay Airport
Best nightlife in the region
Vineyards and wine cellars
Cape Kidnappers
Regional transport hub

Hand-picked hotels in this area

Our Top Pick

Quality Inn Napier offers free Wi-Fi, a heated indoor pool and free parking. This property also has a restaurant and bar.
Budget Option

Criterion Art Deco Backpackers is located in a unique Spanish-style Art Deco building located in the center of Napier, just a 1-minute walk from the tourist information center.
Midrange Option

Expressotel is opposite the picturesque Clive Square and a 7-minute walk from the marine parade of Marine Parade. It offers modern rooms with a flat-screen TV. Guests enjoy free WiFi.
Luxury Option

The Dome offers independent luxury apartments right in the center of Napier. All apartments have a private rooftop balcony with views. There is free Wi-Fi. All guests receive a bottle of wine upon arrival.

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2. Hastings

Hastings is the other urban centre in Hawke’s Bay. It is located 18 kilometres inland from Napier.

Unlike Napier, Hastings does not have many tourist attractions of its own, but it is a good base to explore some of the surrounding natural wonders. Hastings provides access to a large number of nature reserves and mountain hikes.

Architecturally speaking, Hastings suffered similarly to Napier in the Hawke’s Bay earthquake in 1931. However, due to less fire damage, Hastings maintained a larger quantity of older buildings. The constructions that replaced the destroyed ones were also made in Art Deco style. However, Hastings succumbed to a rapid redevelopment in the 60s and 70s, in which many buildings from the 1930s were replaced.

Hastings attractions and surroundings include the largest water park in New Zealand; Splash Planet, Cape Kidnappers and the largest colony of gannets in the world and Te Mata Peak.

To move between Hastings and the surroundings, it is essential to have a car.

Hastings is a good area to stay in Hawke’s Bay if you’re looking for peace and quiet and a more boutique-style trip.

Where to stay in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand - Hastings — Where to stay in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand – Hastings

Hastings - Click to see all hotels on a map — Hastings – Click to see all hotels on a map

What makes this the best area to stay in Hawke’s Bay

Close to natural attractions
Art Deco
Experience-based travel
Vineyards and wine cellars
Cape Kidnappers
Quiet area

Hand-picked hotels in this area

Our Top Pick

Irongate Retreat is located in Hastings, 7 km from Splash Planet, and features a seasonal outdoor pool, a tennis court and a garden.

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3. Havelock North

Havelock North is a suburb of Hastings.

Havelock North is surrounded by numerous orchards and vineyards and is mainly residential and rural, with a relatively small and compact industrial and commercial centre.

This village is located at the base of the prominent Te Mata Peak, a 399-meter hill, which according to local Maori legend is the body of the giant Te Mata or Rongokako.

Havelock North is an extremely quiet area to stay at Hawke’s Bay, surrounded by scenic vineyards and dotted with boutique hotels.

As with Hastings, Havelock North does not have many tourist attractions, but it’s the surroundings that make it worthwhile to stay here.

Where to stay in Hawke's Bay - Havelock North & Te Mata Peak — Where to stay in Hawke’s Bay – Havelock North & Te Mata Peak

Havelock North - Click to see all hotels on a map — Havelock North – Click to see all hotels on a map

What makes this the best area to stay in Hawke’s Bay

Te Mata Peak
Scenic vineyards
Boutique hotels
Quiet area

Hand-picked hotels in this area

Our Top Pick

Te Mata Lodge is next to Anderson Park, a 10-minute drive from Te Mata Peak. The property offers free parking and rooms with a pool or hot tub.

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4. Te Awanga

Te Awanga is a small coastal town located in Hawke’s Bay.

Te Awanga is the gateway to Cape Kidnappers, which has a renowned Australasian Gannet colony (considered the largest in the world).

The city of Te Awanga was developed as a holiday village.

The most popular activities for Te Awanga tourists include fishing, swimming, surfing and boating. The famous Cape Kidnappers golf course is also close to Te Awanga.

Te Awanga is located sixteen kilometres south of downtown Napier and twelve kilometres east of downtown Hastings.