Finding the best motels in Christchurch comes down to where you need to be, whether that is the central city, the Merivale shops, Riccarton Road or the airport. A good motel in Christchurch gives you a self-contained unit with a kitchenette, free parking and hosts who know the city, at a lower cost than a full-service hotel. Options range from Tuscana Motor Lodge on Bealey Avenue to The Milano on Papanui Road.
1Tuscana Motor Lodge
Tuscana Motor Lodge is a Mediterranean-style motel on Bealey Avenue, a short walk from the Christchurch central city, Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens. Hosts Grant and Vivienne McWhirter offer self-contained studios and suites that suit corporate travellers, families and sporting groups alike.
Services
- Queen studio suites with kitchenette
- One-bedroom suites with queen or king bed
- One-bedroom spa suites sleeping up to four
- Two-bedroom suites sleeping up to six
- Continental breakfast and daily housekeeping
Highlights
- Pets allowed on request
- Free tour booking service and travel advice
- Corporate rates and group concessions
- Free off-street parking, guest laundry and BBQ area
Location & Contact
Name: Tuscana Motor Lodge
Address: 74 Bealey Avenue, Christchurch
Phone: 03 377 4485
Website: tuscana.co.nz
2The Milano
The Milano is a locally owned motel on Papanui Road in Merivale, run by a Kiwi couple who live in the city and share their local knowledge with guests. Rooms range from compact queen studios to two-bedroom apartments set around a garden, suiting solo travellers, couples and small families.
Services
- Compact queen and king studios
- One-bedroom apartments, including a queen and single option
- Two-bedroom apartments sleeping up to four
- Daily room servicing
- Continental breakfast on request
Highlights
- Owned and run by local hosts rather than a franchise
- Nespresso machine, free Netflix and air conditioning in every room
- CCTV-secured off-street parking at the rear of the property
- Secure luggage storage and garden seating
Location & Contact
Name: The Milano
Address: 87 Papanui Road, Merivale, Christchurch 8014
Phone: 03 355 2800
Website: themilano.nz
3306 Motel Apartments
306 Motel Apartments sits on Riccarton Road in Upper Riccarton, with more than 25 restaurants and takeaways within a short walk, including those at the Bush Inn Mall. Its studios and one and two-bedroom apartments suit solo visitors, business travellers and families wanting a west-side base.
Services
- Studio and superior spa studio apartments
- Superior and family one-bedroom apartments
- Executive one-bedroom apartment with spa
- Two-bedroom spa apartment
Highlights
- Corporate rates for regular visitors, bookable direct
- Gift vouchers available
- Member of the Hotel Weka plastic recycling programme
- Plants trees through the Trees That Count programme
- Reception reachable by call, text or WhatsApp during your stay
Location & Contact
Name: 306 Motel Apartments
Address: 306 Riccarton Road, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8041
Phone: 03 343 4306
Website: motel306.co.nz
4Northwood Motor Lodge
Northwood Motor Lodge, formerly Chardonnay Motor Lodge, is set in spacious gardens on Johns Road in Northwood, about eight minutes from Christchurch Airport and handy to State Highway 1. It suits travellers passing through who want to avoid inner-city traffic, and families visiting Orana Wildlife Park or the International Antarctic Centre.
Services
- Queen and king studios
- Triple studios with a queen and single bed
- One-bedroom family and queen units
- Standalone three-bedroom townhouse sleeping up to eight
Highlights
- Free airport shuttle
- Two EV charging stations, bookable in advance
- Air-conditioned, ground-floor studios and one-bedroom units
Location & Contact
Name: Northwood Motor Lodge
Address: 170 Johns Road, Northwood, Christchurch 8051
Phone: 03 323 8224
Website: www.northwoodmotorlodge.co.nz
5Airport Gateway
Airport Gateway is a Kiwi-owned motel and hotel on the corner of Roydvale and Memorial Avenues in Burnside, four minutes from Christchurch International Airport. It combines hotel-style rooms with self-contained motel units, making it a practical stopover for early flights, long-haul arrivals and South Island road trips.
Services
- Hotel-style and self-contained motel-style rooms
- Free 24-hour guest airport shuttle
- Secure long-term car storage for travellers
- Onsite restaurant and bar, open 6am to 10pm daily
- Conference and meeting rooms
Highlights
- 24-hour reception
- Group accommodation for sports teams and corporate retreats
- Catering service available
Location & Contact
Name: Airport Gateway
Address: Corner Roydvale and Memorial Avenue, Burnside, Christchurch
Phone: 03 358 7093
Website: airportgateway.co.nz
Motels in Christchurch at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Tuscana Motor Lodge | Pets allowed on request |
| The Milano | Owned and run by local hosts rather than a franchise |
| 306 Motel Apartments | Corporate rates for regular visitors, bookable direct |
| Northwood Motor Lodge | Free airport shuttle |
| Airport Gateway | 24-hour reception |
How to Choose the Right Motel in Christchurch
- Location for your trip: Bealey Avenue and Merivale put you within walking distance of the central city and Hagley Park, Riccarton Road suits the west side, and Burnside and Northwood are handy for the airport and State Highway 1.
- Unit size: Match the room to your group, from a compact studio for one or two to a two or three-bedroom unit for families.
- Kitchen facilities: Check whether a unit has a full kitchen or a kitchenette with a microwave if you plan to cook during a longer stay.
- Parking and transport: Look for free off-street parking, an airport shuttle or EV charging if you are driving or flying.
- Extras that matter to you: Spa baths, pet-friendly rooms, onsite dining, breakfast and corporate rates vary from motel to motel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christchurch Motels
How much does a motel in Christchurch cost per night?
Prices depend on the season, the unit size and major events in the city. A studio typically costs less than a one or two-bedroom apartment, and rates climb during big concerts, sports fixtures and the summer peak. Booking direct with the motel often gets you the best available rate or a loyalty discount.
Which motels are close to Christchurch Airport?
Motels in Burnside and on Memorial Avenue sit only minutes from the terminal, and several motels in the north of the city, such as those in Northwood, offer a free airport shuttle. Check shuttle hours before you book an early or late flight.
Can I walk to the central city from a Christchurch motel?
Yes, if you stay on or near Bealey Avenue or in Merivale. From there, Hagley Park, the Botanic Gardens, Riverside Market and the new One New Zealand Stadium are within walking distance or a short drive.
Are there pet-friendly motels in Christchurch?
Some Christchurch motels accept pets on request, while others do not. Always confirm the pet policy when booking, as policies change and some properties limit pets to certain units.
What does a star rating mean for New Zealand motels?
Qualmark is New Zealand tourism’s official quality assurance organisation, and its assessments cover accommodation standards and business practices. You can check an operator’s status on the Qualmark website.
Where should I stay for events at One New Zealand Stadium?
Central city and inner-suburb motels on Bealey Avenue and in Merivale are the easiest for walking to One New Zealand Stadium. Book well ahead for major matches and concerts, as motels across the city fill quickly on event weekends.
Which Christchurch suburbs have motels?
You will find motels in the central city fringe along Bealey Avenue, in Merivale on Papanui Road, along Riccarton Road in Riccarton and Upper Riccarton, in Northwood in the north, and in Burnside near the airport. Choose the suburb closest to where you will spend most of your time.
How We Chose the Best Motels in Christchurch
Every business in this guide was found by searching for motels in Christchurch, 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 Christchurch, 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.