Finding the best motels in Tauranga comes down to where you need to be, whether that is beside Tauranga Hospital on Cameron Road, on the harbour edge near the city centre, or out in Bethlehem close to the town centre. The motels in Tauranga below offer self-contained studios and one and two bedroom units with kitchenettes, free WiFi and off-street parking, suiting business travellers, families and hospital visitors alike. Options range from 850 Cameron Motel in Tauranga South to Harbour View Motel on the inner harbour.
1850 Cameron Motel
850 Cameron Motel is an architecturally designed, two-level motel on the corner of Cameron Road and 18th Avenue, directly opposite Tauranga Hospital and about five minutes from the CBD. It was built with corporate guests, tourists and hospital visitors in mind, with an on-site cafe and hosts Tina and Tony running the property.
Services
- Standard and executive studios with kitchenettes
- One-bedroom suites and two-bedroom apartments, some with spa baths
- Breakfast available from the on-site cafe, Quantum Vis, with chargeback to your room
- Laundry service
- On-site meeting room
Highlights
- Refurbished in 2020, with a lift serving both levels
- Sleepyhead Elegance beds and heat pumps in every unit
- Free landline calls within New Zealand and internationally
- Free gym access for guests
Location & Contact
Name: 850 Cameron Motel
Address: 850 Cameron Road, corner of Cameron Road and 18th Avenue, Tauranga
Phone: 07 577 1774
Website: 850motel.co.nz
2Academy Motor Inn
Academy Motor Inn is a Kiwi family owned and operated motel at 734 Cameron Road, a few minutes from Tauranga CBD and within walking distance of the hospital and schools. It suits business travellers, families and people visiting relatives, with a heated pool, conference room and reception open 8:30am to 6pm every day.
Services
- Standard, mezzanine and accessible studios
- One and two-bedroom units and family suites
- Continental and cooked breakfast menu (Monday to Friday)
- Conference room for meetings and training
- Daily servicing of all units
Highlights
- Heated swimming pool, hot tub and Weber barbecue area (seasonal, Labour Weekend to Easter)
- Type 2 EV charging point on request
- Sky Guest+ with access to streaming apps
- Chargeback to local restaurants for corporate guests
- Guest laundry facilities
Location & Contact
Name: Academy Motor Inn
Address: 734 Cameron Road, Tauranga 3112
Phone: 07 578 9103
Website: academymotorinn.co.nz
3Harbour View Motel & Waterfront Apartments
Harbour View Motel & Waterfront Apartments sits in a quiet waterfront cul-de-sac on Fifth Avenue East, a short stroll from central Tauranga’s restaurants. Hosts Bronwyn and Kathie offer renovated motel units and larger apartments with harbour sunrise views, suiting couples, families and small corporate groups.
Services
- Standard one-bedroom studios and units
- Superior one-bedroom unit with private garden
- Superior two-bedroom units sleeping up to four
- Three-bedroom apartments, including a deluxe apartment for up to six
Highlights
- Complimentary kayaks for guests
- Waterfront setting on the inner harbour
- Members of the Tauranga Harbour Protection Society
- Group and corporate booking options
Location & Contact
Name: Harbour View Motel & Waterfront Apartments
Address: 1 & 7 Fifth Avenue East, Tauranga 3110
Phone: 07 578 8621
Website: harbourviewmotel.co.nz
4ASURE Macy’s Motor Inn
ASURE Macy’s Motor Inn is an accredited 4 star self-contained and serviced motel on the corner of 11th Avenue and Edgecumbe Road. Alongside its studios and apartments it runs two conference rooms, making it a practical base for beach breaks, business stays and small conferences.
Services
- Compact mini studios for short, simple stays
- Queen and King studios with in-room double spa baths
- One-bedroom apartments, including family, deluxe and accessible units
- Conference hire for 2 to 35 people
Highlights
- Skyview Conference Centre seats up to 35 theatre style
- Pool Terrace Conference Room with wheelchair access
- Flexible bedding configurations for sports teams and work crews
Location & Contact
Name: ASURE Macy’s Motor Inn
Address: Corner 11th Avenue and Edgecumbe Road, Tauranga 3110
Phone: 07 577 9764
Website: macys.co.nz
5Bethlehem Motor Inn
Bethlehem Motor Inn is a Qualmark 4 Star Plus motel and conference venue at 176 Moffat Road, about 400 metres from the Bethlehem Town Centre and under ten minutes’ drive from Tauranga city centre. Units are set around a cobblestone courtyard with a single entranceway, with large grounds at the rear that suit families and groups travelling with trailers.
Services
- Studio units, including an accessible studio
- Executive studios with spa baths
- One and two-bedroom suites
- Continental breakfast delivered to your room
- Two conference rooms for up to 30 people
Highlights
- Swimming pool and all-weather tennis court
- Golf, cricket and soccer practice net
- Space for car, truck, bus and trailer parking
- Motel Association member
- EV charging for guests
Location & Contact
Name: Bethlehem Motor Inn
Address: 176 Moffat Road, Bethlehem, Tauranga
Phone: 0800 500 535
Website: bethlehemmotorinn.co.nz
Motels in Tauranga at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| 850 Cameron Motel | Refurbished in 2020, with a lift serving both levels |
| Academy Motor Inn | Heated swimming pool, hot tub and Weber barbecue area (seasonal |
| Harbour View Motel & Waterfront Apartments | Complimentary kayaks for guests |
| ASURE Macy's Motor Inn | Skyview Conference Centre seats up to 35 theatre style |
| Bethlehem Motor Inn | Swimming pool and all-weather tennis court |
How to Choose the Right Motel in Tauranga
- Location for your trip: Cameron Road suits hospital visits and quick CBD access, the harbour streets suit walking to restaurants, and Bethlehem suits travel to the western Bay.
- Unit type: studios work for one or two people, while one and two-bedroom units give families and colleagues separate sleeping space.
- Kitchen facilities: check whether you need a full kitchen or whether a kitchenette with microwave and hob will do for a short stay.
- Facilities: look for a pool, spa bath, guest laundry, EV charging or conference rooms if they matter for your stay.
- Parking: confirm off-street parking, and ask ahead if you are towing a boat or trailer, as some motels have extra space for it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tauranga Motels
Which motel in Tauranga is closest to Tauranga Hospital?
Motels on Cameron Road in Tauranga South, around 18th Avenue, are the closest option for hospital visits. Several sit within walking distance, which saves on parking and makes repeat visits easier.
Where should I stay to be near the Tauranga waterfront and CBD?
The avenues between the city centre and Tauranga South, including Fifth Avenue East and 11th Avenue, put you a short walk or drive from The Strand, restaurants and the inner harbour. Bethlehem is a quieter choice on the western side of the city, around ten minutes’ drive from the centre.
Do Tauranga motels have kitchen facilities?
Most motel units in Tauranga include at least a kitchenette with a fridge, microwave, kettle and toaster, and many one and two-bedroom units have a hob or full kitchen. Compact studios can have fewer cooking facilities, so check the room description before booking.
Are there motels in Tauranga with conference rooms?
Yes. A number of Tauranga motels run small meeting and conference rooms suited to training days, workshops and board meetings, usually for groups of around 10 to 45 people, with accommodation on site for attendees.
What does a Qualmark rating mean for a motel?
Qualmark is New Zealand tourism’s official quality assurance organisation, and its star ratings assess accommodation facilities and service. You can look up a property’s current rating on the Qualmark website.
When is it hardest to book a motel in Tauranga?
Summer, school holidays and long weekends are the busiest periods, and many motels apply minimum night stays and pre-paid, non-refundable rates at those times. Booking early and reading the cancellation policy is worthwhile.
Is a Tauranga motel a good base for Mount Maunganui?
Yes. Most central Tauranga motels are around 10 to 15 minutes’ drive from Mount Maunganui’s beaches, and staying in the city is often easier for parking and access. For ideas on what to see across the region, Tourism Bay of Plenty has visitor information.
How We Chose the Best Motels in Tauranga
Every business in this guide was found by searching for motels in Tauranga, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Tauranga, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.