Finding the best motels in Taupo usually comes down to how close you want to be to the water, and most of the options here sit along Lake Terrace, across the road from Lake Taupo’s main swimming beach and a short walk from town. A Taupo motel suits couples on a weekend away, families after a self-contained apartment and business travellers who want parking at the door, with spa studios, private hot pools and two and three bedroom suites all on offer. Gables Lakefront Motel and Sails on the Lake are good places to start.
1Gables Lakefront Motel
Gables Lakefront Motel is a lakefront motel at 130 Lake Terrace, directly across the road from Taupo’s main beach and within walking distance of the town centre. Run by owners Franklyn and Kavita since late 2018, it offers one, two and three bedroom apartments, several with a private hot pool and lake views, which suits couples, families and groups travelling together.
Services
- Superior One Bedroom Apartments with a private hot pool and 180 degree lake views
- Deluxe One Bedroom Apartments with a king bed
- Family Two Bedroom and Three Bedroom Apartments sleeping up to eight
- Kayak rental and baggage storage
- Self-serve laundry and free on-site parking outside each unit
Highlights
- Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice winner, 2022
- Owner-operated since late 2018
- Shared hot tub alongside private hot pools in selected apartments
- Corporate rates available on enquiry
Location & Contact
Name: Gables Lakefront Motel
Address: 130 Lake Terrace, Taupō 3330
Phone: 07 378 8030
Website: gableslakefrontmotel.co.nz
2Sails on the Lake
Sails on the Lake sits at 138 Lake Terrace, opposite Taupo’s main swimming beach and about 1.5km from the town centre, with views across Lake Taupo to the Central Plateau mountain ranges. Rooms range from king spa studios for couples to fully self-contained two bedroom apartments with two ensuites, making it a practical base for families and small groups as well as couples.
Services
- Spa Studios and Premium Spa Studios with a double spa bath and lake-view balcony
- One Bedroom Suites and Lake View Suites with kitchenettes
- One and Two Bedroom Apartments with fully equipped kitchens
- Guest laundry and BBQ facilities
Highlights
- King or super king beds in every room
- Accessible room available for guests with mobility needs
- Extra parking for boats and trailers
- Double-glazed ground floor suites and apartments
- Interconnecting suites available on request
Location & Contact
Name: Sails on the Lake
Address: 138 Lake Terrace, Taupo
Phone: 07 377 0655
Website: sailstaupo.co.nz
3Beechtree Motel
Beechtree Motel is a 39-room boutique motel at 56 Rifle Range Road, with easy access to the lakefront, town centre restaurants and Taupo Airport. Its luxury studios and two and three bedroom suites cater for family holidays, romantic weekends and business travel, and the motel also takes large group bookings for conferences and teams in town for events or tournaments.
Services
- Lakeview, Deluxe King and Ground Floor Spa Studios
- Two Bedroom Spa Suite and Two and Three Bedroom Family Suites
- Room service cafe-style breakfast
- Concierge attraction bookings and business services
Highlights
- Deep spa baths in most rooms and air conditioning throughout
- Off-street parking for cars, boat trailers and large vehicles
- Chargeback dining at The Brantry and Dixie Browns
- Porta cots and highchairs available for families
Location & Contact
Name: Beechtree Motel
Address: 56 Rifle Range Road, Taupo
Phone: 07 377 0181
Website: beechtreemotel.co.nz
4Lakeside Taupo Motel
Lakeside Taupo Motel is on the lakefront at 114 Lake Terrace, with the main Lake Taupo swimming beach on its doorstep and the town centre a few minutes away. It is aimed at couples and business travellers wanting quiet, secure accommodation, with executive spa studios, an accessible studio and a three bedroom lakefront apartment for larger parties.
Services
- Executive Spa Studios with lake-view balconies
- Accessible Studio with a walk-in shower on the lower level
- Twin studios and a three bedroom Lakefront Apartment
- Corporate accommodation
- Complimentary guest barbecues
Highlights
- EV charging available on site
- Hosts will smoke and pack a guest’s trout catch when time allows
- Bath towels provided for trips to the Wairakei thermal pools
Location & Contact
Name: Lakeside Taupo Motel
Address: 114 Lake Terrace, Taupo
Phone: 07 377 0661
Website: lakesidetaupo.co.nz
5Tui Oaks Motel
Tui Oaks Motel has 18 self-contained studio and one bedroom units at 84-86 Lake Terrace, on the corner of Tui Street, a short stroll from the town centre’s cafes, bars and restaurants. Its lake and mountain views and affordable rates suit corporate guests, tourists, couples, families and sporting groups, and the Ironman swim start sits directly in front of the motel.
Services
- Lake-view studio and one bedroom units, serviced daily
- Conference room for hire
- Guest lounge and BBQ area
- Storage for bikes and ski equipment
Highlights
- Pet friendly in selected Tui Street rooms, with a secure outdoor area for dogs
- Lift access to all levels
- All units non-smoking
Location & Contact
Name: Tui Oaks Motel
Address: 84-86 Lake Terrace, Taupo
Phone: 07 378 8305
Website: tuioaks.co.nz
Motels in Taupo at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Gables Lakefront Motel | Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice winner, 2022 |
| Sails on the Lake | King or super king beds in every room |
| Beechtree Motel | Deep spa baths in most rooms and air conditioning throughout |
| Lakeside Taupo Motel | EV charging available on site |
| Tui Oaks Motel | Pet friendly in selected Tui Street rooms |
How to Choose the Right Motel in Taupo
- Lake views: ask whether a room faces the lake directly, as side-view and rear units are often cheaper but do not have the same outlook.
- Room type: spa studios suit couples, while families and groups are better served by two or three bedroom apartments with full kitchens.
- Parking: if you are towing a boat or trailer for fishing on the lake, check that the motel has space for it.
- Accessibility: guests with mobility needs should confirm a ground floor or accessible unit, or lift access, before booking.
- Booking direct: many Taupo motels offer better rates, early check-in or late checkout when you book on their own website.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taupo Motels
Where are most motels in Taupo located?
Many sit along Lake Terrace, the road that follows the lakefront south of the town centre, opposite the main swimming beach. Others, such as those on Rifle Range Road, are a few hundred metres back from the lake and closer to shops and restaurants. Both are an easy walk or short drive from town.
Do Taupo motels have kitchens?
Most motel units have at least a kitchenette with a microwave, fridge and tea and coffee facilities. Larger one, two and three bedroom apartments usually have a full kitchen with an oven and cooktop, which suits families and longer stays.
Can I bring my dog to a motel in Taupo?
Some motels accept pets in selected rooms, usually for an extra fee and with a secure outdoor area. Pet-friendly rooms are limited, so contact the motel directly before booking.
Is there motel parking for boats and trailers?
Yes, several Taupo motels provide extra parking for boats, trailers and larger vehicles, which is useful for anglers and anyone launching on the lake. Space can be limited, so mention it when you book.
What time is check-in and check-out?
Check-in is typically from 2pm and check-out by 10am. Late arrivals usually need to be arranged with reception before the day, as most motel offices close in the evening.
When should I book a motel in Taupo?
Book well ahead for summer holidays and major events such as the Ironman, when the lakefront fills quickly. The official regional tourism site, Love Taupō, lists upcoming events so you can plan around busy weekends.
How can I check a motel’s quality rating?
Qualmark is Tourism New Zealand’s official quality assurance programme for accommodation. You can search assessed motels and their ratings on the Qualmark website.
How We Chose the Best Motels in Taupo
Every business in this guide was found by searching for motels in Taupo, 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 Taupo, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business we can’t confirm from its own pages is not listed.