Finding the best motels in Gisborne comes down to where you want to wake up: on the sand at Awapuni, along Gladstone Road close to the city centre, or out towards Sponge Bay and Wainui. A good motel in Gisborne gives you a self-contained room with a kitchen, free parking at the door and an easy run to the beaches, wineries and the airport, whether you are here for work, a family holiday or a weekend away. Whispering Sands Beachfront Motel and White Heron Motor Lodge show the range, from beachfront apartments to spa studios in town.
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Claim this spot →1Whispering Sands Beachfront Motel
Whispering Sands is a beachfront apartment motel on Salisbury Road in Awapuni, with 15 apartments looking straight out over the Pacific. Ground-floor units open onto the sand and upstairs apartments have private balconies with elevated sea views, and the city centre is about a 10-minute walk away. It suits couples, families and business travellers who want the beach on the doorstep.
Services
- Upstairs one-bedroom sea view apartments
- Upstairs two-bedroom sea view apartments, including a family apartment with lounge
- Ground-floor two-bedroom beachfront apartments with patio
- Retro studio apartment
- Full kitchens, smart TVs, air conditioning and free high-speed WiFi
Highlights
- 15 absolute beachfront apartments with direct beach access
- Accessible ground-floor beachfront apartment available
- Intercity bus terminal about a 5-minute walk away
- Gisborne Airport about a 10-minute drive
Location & Contact
Name: Whispering Sands Beachfront Motel
Address: 22 Salisbury Road, Awapuni, Gisborne
Phone: 06 867 1319
Website: whisperingsands.co.nz
2White Heron Motor Lodge
White Heron Motor Lodge is a 24-room motel on Gladstone Road, close to the centre of Gisborne. The rooms have been refurbished with new carpet, drapes, furniture and fittings, and the lodge caters for solo travellers, corporate guests, couples and families across studios and one and two-bedroom units.
Services
- Studios and spa studios with king beds
- One-bedroom units with spa bath
- Two-bedroom family suites with splittable super king beds
- Kitchenettes, air conditioning and 50+ Sky TV channels
Highlights
- 18 of the 24 rooms have a large spa bath
- Free guest laundry
- Free unlimited high-speed wireless internet in every unit
Location & Contact
Name: White Heron Motor Lodge
Address: 474 Gladstone Road, Gisborne
Phone: 06 867 1108
Website: whiteheronmotorlodge.co.nz
3Teal Motor Lodge
Teal Motor Lodge has 21 self-contained motel apartments set among established trees and gardens on Gladstone Road, close to the city centre. The lodge takes business travellers, families and East Coast road-trippers, and pairs its rooms with a pool, playground and a long list of guest services.
Services
- Self-contained motel apartments
- Same-day laundry and valet service
- On-site Thai massage
- Restaurant room service delivery
- Foreign currency exchange, safe deposit, photocopy and fax service
Highlights
- Large salt-water swimming pool
- Complimentary gym membership for guests
- Children’s adventure playground and guest BBQ
- Ample parking for buses and boats
- Teal Motor Lodge is a registered New Zealand trade mark
Location & Contact
Name: Teal Motor Lodge
Address: 479 Gladstone Road, Gisborne
Phone: 06 868 4019
Website: teal.co.nz
4Tudor Park Motel
Tudor Park Motel sits on Ormond Road in Lytton West, opposite Gisborne Hospital and about five minutes from central Gisborne. It is set back off the main road in a garden setting, and alongside its ground-floor motel rooms it offers a deluxe villa and a two-storey chalet, which makes it a practical base for families and work teams.
Services
- Deluxe and king studios
- Two-bedroom suite and one-bedroom family apartment
- Four-bedroom deluxe villa sleeping up to eight
- Three-bedroom two-storey chalet
Highlights
- All apartments are easy-access ground-floor units
- Wheelchair accessible units available on request
- Full kitchens, heat-pump air conditioning and smart TVs with Netflix
- Playground directly across the street
Location & Contact
Name: Tudor Park Motel
Address: 386 Ormond Road, Lytton West, Gisborne
Phone: 06 867 9830
Website: tudorparkmotel.co.nz
5Motel Oasis
Motel Oasis is on Sponge Bay Road along the Pacific Coast Highway, on the outskirts of Gisborne near Sponge Bay and Wainui beaches and about five minutes’ drive from town. Every unit is on ground level and looks out onto the pool and landscaped gardens, and the motel caters for both families and business travellers.
Services
- King spa studio, queen and single studios
- One-bedroom and family suites, some interconnecting
- Conference and meeting facility for small groups
Highlights
- Seasonally solar-heated swimming pool
- Cooked and continental breakfasts available on request
- All units ground level and non-smoking
- Rural outlook while five minutes from Gisborne’s restaurants and shops
Location & Contact
Name: Motel Oasis
Address: 5 Sponge Bay Road, Gisborne
Phone: 06 867 9493
Website: moteloasis.co.nz
Motels in Gisborne at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Whispering Sands Beachfront Motel | 15 absolute beachfront apartments with direct beach access |
| White Heron Motor Lodge | 18 of the 24 rooms have a large spa bath |
| Teal Motor Lodge | Large salt-water swimming pool |
| Tudor Park Motel | All apartments are easy-access ground-floor units |
| Motel Oasis | Seasonally solar-heated swimming pool |
How to Choose the Right Motel in Gisborne
- Location: decide between the beachfront at Awapuni, the Gladstone Road strip close to the city centre, or the quieter Sponge Bay and Wainui side of town.
- Room type: studios suit couples and solo travellers, while families and work crews get more space from two-bedroom units, villas or chalets.
- Kitchen facilities: check whether the room has a full kitchen or a kitchenette if you plan to self-cater for more than a night or two.
- Facilities: look for a pool, spa bath, guest laundry or playground if they matter to your stay.
- Accessibility and parking: ask about ground-floor or accessible units, and room for a boat or trailer if you are towing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gisborne Motels
Where is the best area to stay in Gisborne?
It depends on your plans. Motels in Awapuni sit right on the beach within walking distance of town, Gladstone Road puts you a couple of minutes’ drive from the city centre, Lytton West is handy for Gisborne Hospital, and the Sponge Bay Road area suits surfers heading to Wainui.
Can I find a motel in Gisborne near the hospital?
Yes. Ormond Road in Lytton West runs past Gisborne Hospital, and motels there are a short walk from it, which suits visitors and staff on short-term placements.
Do Gisborne motels have kitchens?
Most motel units in Gisborne are self-contained with either a full kitchen or a kitchenette with a microwave, fridge and hotplates. Check the room description before booking if you need an oven or full stove.
Are there family motels in Gisborne?
Several Gisborne motels offer two-bedroom suites, family apartments and interconnecting rooms, along with pools and playgrounds. Larger groups can also book standalone villas or chalets attached to some motels.
How much does a motel in Gisborne cost?
Rates vary by room type, season and events in town. Studios are the most affordable option, while multi-bedroom suites and villas cost more. Many motels note that booking direct gets you their best available rate.
Is it worth booking early for summer and events?
Yes. Summer, long weekends and major events fill Gisborne accommodation quickly. Check the Tairāwhiti Gisborne regional tourism site for what is on during your dates, and book early if your stay overlaps a big event.
What does a Qualmark rating mean for a motel?
Qualmark is New Zealand tourism’s official quality assurance organisation, and it assesses accommodation against national standards. You can search assessed providers on the Qualmark website before you book.
How We Chose the Best Motels in Gisborne
Every business in this guide was found by searching for motels in Gisborne, then checked against what the business publishes itself: its own website, or where it has none, its official social or booking page. Names, addresses and phone numbers come from those pages rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what the business says about itself. We also check that each one is still trading and is actually based in or genuinely serving Gisborne, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business we can’t confirm from its own pages is not listed.