Located on the North Island, the spectacular Lake Taupo is the largest lake in New Zealand. Taupo is most known for its fabulous trout fishing and outdoor fun. The area sports some of New Zealand’s most exhilarating adventures. Adrenaline junkies will love popping Taupo in their New Zealand trip itinerary.
From apartments to resorts and lodges, there’s plenty of accommodation in Taupo for travellers. The best hotels in Taupo offer amenities you wouldn’t expect in a small town. All boast spectacular views of this natural wonderland.
Looking at where to stay in Taupo? Get your search started with this Taupo accommodation guide including all the best places to stay in Taupo.
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our other hotel & accommodations guides and our New Zealand Travel Guide for recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
Best hotels & places to stay in Taupo
Taupo is an adventurer’s paradise. Here, snow-capped southern Alps surround the sparkling waters of the enormous Lake Taupo. Year-round adventurers enjoy hitting Taupo’s hiking trails, cycling and indulging in water sports. In winter, the ski slopes come alive. The town is also the gateway to Tongariro National Park, one of New Zealand’s best places to visit.
The area has a reputation as one of the best trout fishing destinations anywhere. To cap it all, Taupo is one of the earth’s more active geothermal hotspots. Your planned activities should guide you on where to stay in Taupo.
It shouldn’t be surprising that accommodations in Taupo are plentiful & varied. From luxury hotels & resorts to affordable lodgings like B&Bs, the best Taupo accommodation will fit your holiday plans and budget.
There are plenty of apartment blocks in Taupo. Ideal for family holidays, most come with equipped with kitchens. A self-catering stay may help to trim your budget. Resorts in the area also offer similar amenities. They also have the added benefit of children’s facilities and play areas.
Travelling alone or with a partner? You may find a studio apartment, luxury hotel or spa more to your tastes. Many of these Taupo accommodations offer various facilities. You’ll enjoy amenities like gyms, tennis courts, and wellness centres.
Plan your itinerary before choosing a place to stay in Taupo. In a town as small as Taupo you’ll be able to walk to many of the tourist attractions if you choose your location well.
Hilton Lake Taupo
Hilton Lake Taupo sits close to the town centre. Staying here, you’ll enjoy splendid views of the lake. The hotel also offers visitors all the mod cons you’d expect from one of the few five-star hotels in the area. Facilities include access to a fully-equipped fitness centre. You’ll also get free use of the on-site pool and hot tub.
If you’re keen to knock a ball around, there are also two astroturf tennis courts. The on-site restaurant offers three sit-down meals a day, along with a celebrated high tea. Choose from a wide range of suites and family apartments all the way up to the Grand Presidential Suite.
The hotel is next door to the Taupe Debretts Spa Resort with its thermal pools and children’s hydro park. Be sure to include a visit to the resort in your Lake Taupo itinerary.
Acacia Heights Gardens
Perched upon the hills overlooking Lake Taupo, Acacia Heights Gardens has just four rooms. Each room accommodates a total of eight people. You’ll enjoy stunning views of the lake and Mount Tauhara. They burst through the floor-to-ceiling windows that edge each room. You’ll also value the privacy & quiet. The accommodation is a little isolated from the rest of the area.
All rooms have furnished balconies. They’re a great place to enjoy an evening sundowner or breakfast before you embark on your daily adventures. The rooms all have Wi-Fi and satellite television. The hotel also has a heated spa pool for your relaxation.
This quality accommodation is a fifteen-minute drive from the lake. There’s a shuttle that’ll run you there after you’ve enjoyed a complimentary breakfast. A large reserve borders on the hotel’s tranquil gardens and guests may use the grounds. Make sure to pencil in a hike or cycle through the grounds on your list things to do in Taupo.
Millennium Hotel & Resort Manuels Taupo
The Millennium Hotel & Resort Manuels Taupo is perched upon the banks of Lake Taupo. The hotel is so close that you could almost cast a trout-fishing line out your window and into the stunning lake. Make sure to book a lakeside room to take in the magnificent views from your private furnished patio. Some of the rooms also have private spa baths for your comfort & relaxation.
The Millennium Hotel has everything that you could hope for in modern accommodation. Try your hand at tennis, sweat it out in the sauna, or take a dip in the private grotto plunge pool. There’s also a fully equipped gym and wellness centre on-site.
Two on-site restaurants offer award-winning cuisine along with spellbinding views of the lake. On some evenings the live musician keeps it slow and smooth. The hotel is close to many of the most popular attractions in the area. These include ski resorts, mineral pools and four golf courses.
Taupo Debretts Spa Resort
If you’re travelling to Taupo with children, the Taupo Debretts and Spa Resort may be just what you’re looking for. Close to the town centre and built on the banks of the lake, the resort grounds are blessed with warm spa waters. Experience these healing waters in the surrounding thermal pools and hot springs.
The resort offers family accommodation and plenty of entertainment for the whole family. The children will love the holiday park. The towering water slides and warm water pools are designed with little ones in mind.
The hotel offers self-contained units. If you don’t feel like preparing your own meals, there’s also a café on site. The mineral waters and natural spas offer a level of relaxation you won’t find anywhere else in Taupo. At the pools, you can luxuriate in a mud wrap, massage, facial and other beauty treatments. They’ll leave you feeling relaxed and pampered.
Te Moenga Lodge
Offering both studio rooms and family chalets, the Te Moenga Lodge is as tranquil a rest place as you’ll find anywhere in Taupo. The lodge makes a great base camp for hiking, cycling or water sport activities in Taupo. The lodge owners have made available plenty of space to store outdoor equipment. Relax in the hot tub at the end of the day to reflect on friends and memories made. You can also take a dip in the outdoor pool and enjoy the splendid views.
All rooms contain basic kitchen equipment to cater for yourself and your family. If you’re not up to self-catering, there are plenty of restaurants within a 5-kilometre radius. Breakfast is served daily and is free of charge. Each chalet features a private balcony complete with its own barbeque.
Te Moenga Lodge also serves as a wedding venue with its beautiful backdrop and landscaped gardens. It offers young couples the perfect place to celebrate with friends & family.
Jarden B&B
Three kilometres from the nearest golf club, the Jarden B&B offers visitors a comfortable and tranquil stay at a reasonable price. The B&B is just 1.6 kilometres from the town. You can walk into town after enjoying the delicious breakfast. It’s included with the accommodation deal.
Owned and run by a local resident, the Jarden B&B is a home away from home. It’s set in a peaceful, quiet neighbourhood. You’ll get plenty of rest staying here. The B&B is in a great location. It’s close enough to walk to several restaurants and Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley. If you’re seeking a thrill, the Taupo Bungy is just 2.2 kilometres away. The Jarden B&B does not accommodate children. Free parking is available for guests.
Sacred Waters Taupo
Looking for a luxury apartment on the shores of Lake Taupo? The Sacred Waters Taupo offers comfortable accommodation that’s a short walk from the city centre. From dishwashers to microwaves, these apartments are fully equipped. They boast all the appliances that a modern family might need.
The air-conditioned apartments all have balconies. You can enjoy sundowners or breakfast in the fresh outdoor air. There’s also a hot tub in every apartment.
The Sacred Waters has an outdoor pool and well-equipped gym. There’s no need to skip your daily workout just because you’re away from home. The apartments are also close to lakeside activities. You may prefer to indulge in outdoor activities such as hiking or cycling along the waterfront. On the water, you can enjoy the area’s great trout fishing. If you’re in the mood to hit the greens, there’s also a golf course 2.2 kilometres away.
Phoenix Resort Taupo
Visiting Taupo to experience the local thermal waters? Phoenix Resort Taupo has got you covered. Accommodation at the resort runs the gamut. From single-roomed apartments to a three-bedroom garden cottage, there’s plenty of choice.
All the apartments have kitchen facilities. They’re equipped with all the appliances you need for a self-catering holiday.
Each holiday home has its own beautifully appointed thermal pool, rich in minerals to rejuvenate your body, mind & spirit. As you would expect, there’s also a wellness spa centre on the grounds.
The resort is surrounded by beautiful rose gardens, complete with gas barbeques for your convenience. It has an on-site café and a mini-golf course. The Rose Garden Café serves a delicious breakfast each morning.
Just 1.7 kilometres from Taupo, the resort is close to entertainment facilities. The botanical gardens and the Taupo Hot Springs are within walking distance. Taupo Bungy is also nearby. Parking on-site is free.
eMotel
Located in the centre of Taupo Town, the eMotel offers beautiful lake views from every room. The one and two-bedroom suite apartments offer 5-star luxury. Each has been renovated and everything in the hotel is new.
The apartments all have air conditioning. Each has its own sunny courtyard and outdoor dining area. Modern appliances include a dishwasher and microwave. They’ll ensure that you can whip up a tasty meal should you prefer to self-cater. It also has a free parking area.
The eMotel is a new concept imported from Japan. It has an automated self-service check-in facility. That’s right. There’s no need to check-in. The hotel will email you a code that’ll unlock your apartment on your arrival.
There’s a lovely park across the road. If you’re travelling with children make sure to stopover. The hotel is in a great location as the town and lake are both within walking distance.
Quest Taupo
Looking for self-contained one- to two-bedroom apartment or studio accommodation? The Quest Taupo ticks both boxes. It isn’t right on the lake, but a ten-minute walk will get you there. There’s also a sparkling pool on site.
The apartments are located close to a golf course and motorsport club. The Spa Thermal Park and the Taupo Museum are also within walking distance.
The Quest offers a pantry shopping service. You can order in your groceries and prepare your own meal in the well-equipped kitchen facilities. Spend an evening in with a movie from the in-house movie selection. Several restaurants, pubs and bistros also lie close by.
Accommodation options include studio and one and two-bedroom apartments. The hotel offers free on-site parking. The apartments are also a mere 10-minute drive to Taupo Airport.
Baycrest Thermal Lodge
If you’ve chosen to stay at the Baycrest Thermal Lodge, take a ground floor room. Each ground floor room has its very own natural thermal tub. You can fill it as you wish from the thermal springs that run beneath the lodge. If you’re on the first floor you’ll enjoy the champagne spa baths on large balconies that offer great lake views.
The hotel has a geothermal outdoor pool for guests to enjoy. Sip cocktails at sunset from the guest bar alongside the pool. A hot water swimming beach is just 100 meters away. One way or another, you’ll get your feet wet.
The luxury rooms include family options and interleading rooms. The suites have their own fully-equipped kitchen facilities. There’s an on-site laundry and dry-cleaning service. The lodge delivers breakfast daily delivered to the apartments. Barbeque facilities are also available.
Located only 1.2 kilometres from town, guests have easy access to pubs, restaurants and coffee shops. Enquire about the chargeback arrangements Baycrest Thermal Lodge has with local restaurants.
