Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre

3.0 star property
3-star hotel perfect for exploring Whangarei

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre

Courtyard
Indoor pool
Marina View King - Balcony
Front of property
Marina View King - No Balcony | Water view

Reviews

7.8 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Hot tub
  • Bar

Explore the area

View in a map
9 Riverside Drive, Whangarei, 0112
  • Place, Town Basin Marina
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Whangarei Art Museum
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Whangarei Quarry Gardens
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, Whangarei (WRE)
    ‪9 min drive‬

Room options

Marina View King - Balcony

7.8 out of 10
Good
(6 reviews)
  • 31 sq m
  • Marina view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Junior Suite

  • 45 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 2 Twin Beds

Junior Suite

  • Sleeps 2

Superior Twin Room

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(18 reviews)
  • 22 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Superior King Room

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(9 reviews)
  • 22 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Marina View King - No Balcony

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(4 reviews)
  • 31 sq m
  • Marina view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Superior King Room

  • Sleeps 2

Superior Twin Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 3

Marina View King Room No Balcony

  • Sleeps 2

Marina View King Room With Balcony

  • Sleeps 2

About the area

Whangarei

Riverside stay.You'll be steps from Town Basin Marina and within a 10-minute walk of Claphams Clock Museum with a stay at this Riverside hotel. Hundertwasser Art Centre and Whangarei Art Museum are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • Town Basin Marina - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Whangarei Art Museum - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Botanica & Cafler Park - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Northland Event Centre - 2 min drive - 1.9 km
  • Whangarei Quarry Gardens - 4 min drive - 2.9 km

Getting around

  • Whangarei (WRE) - 8 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪KFC - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Jovial Judge - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪The QUAY - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Noodle Canteen - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Esquires - ‬10 min walk

About this property

Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre

3-star hotel perfect for exploring Whangarei
Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre offers its guests an indoor pool, a hot tub, and a fitness center. There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. WiFi is free in public spaces.

The business-friendly Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre also features tour/ticket assistance, a garden, and concierge services. Self parking is free.

This 3-star Whangarei hotel is smoke free.

  • 115 guestrooms or units
  • 2 levels
  • Meeting rooms
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Dry cleaning
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Concierge
  • Pool or billiards table
  • Garden
  • Newspapers in lobby (free)
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
  • Dining venue
Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre offers 115 air-conditioned accommodations with laptop-compatible safes and complimentary newspapers. 32-inch LCD televisions come with cable channels. Bathrooms include complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.

This Whangarei hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • In-room refrigerator
  • Indoor pool
  • Laundry facilities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Daily buffet breakfast available 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM for a fee: NZD 35 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • Billiards/pool table
  • Gym
  • Hot tub
  • Indoor pool

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • 32-inch LCD TV with cable channels

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • 24-hour room service
  • Electric kettle
  • Refrigerator
  • Tea bags/instant coffee

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Free daily newspapers
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop-compatible safe
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:30 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

The property charges 3.5 percent for credit card payments
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for NZD 35.0 per night.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: approximately NZD 35.00 per person
  • Rollaway bed fee: NZD 35.0 per night
  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 3.5 percent

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, and JCB International. Cash is not accepted. 

National rating

For the benefit of our customers, we have provided a rating based on our rating system.

Property is also known as

Kingsgate Hotel Whangarei
Kingsgate Whangarei
Distinction Whangarei Hotel
Distinction Whangarei
Distinction Whangarei Hotel Conference Centre
Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre Hotel
Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre Whangarei
Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre Hotel Whangarei

Reviews

Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre Reviews

7.8

Good

8.0/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.6/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 170 out of 568 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 227 out of 568 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 111 out of 568 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 42 out of 568 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 18 out of 568 reviews

Reviews

8/10 Good

Amy

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service
Bed was comfortable bathroom was clean
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Lisa

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Rebecca

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

See you again soon.

As always your restaurant team were amazing. Thanks again
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Keoni, Kaitaia

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

chris

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Wonderful

Wonderful welcoming reception staff, perfect location overlooking the harbour, clean, comfy, quiet room and delicious food served in the restaurant in the evening.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ailyn, Rotorua

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff and room is clean
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Mike

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Andrew

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
First room had brown/red marks around and in sink in bathroom. Staff were very helpful. Second room had sticky wooden surfaces and was not particularly clean. Furniture was dated and scruffy. No lift access to 1st floor (not mentioned). Strange, musty smell throughout room.
Marks around sink in first room.
Sticky/greasy surfaces in second room.
Filthy shower head (2nd room)
Mould around shower plate and screen. Also 2nd room
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer, Avondale

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Simon

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities

Old and tired

Very dated. Mould in bathroom. Carpets look like they are 50 years old. Gym is a disgrace. Bar staff didn’t know menu and basic service manners. Needs knocking down and starting again. Won’t be returning.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

beaudine, Auckland

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great venue
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Norie

Liked: Amenities
.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Antonia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Teana at reception was a gem. Nothing was a problem and her warmth and customer service at the end of a shift was exceptional. That girl will go far!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was a good tidy place to crash in. Walkable distance to restaurants on a fine day. Very old property, but refurbished room. No sky tv
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Chris

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Nice and close to Waterfront.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Raymond

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location by the Whangarei basin. Quick check in and indoor pool and spa is great.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

2/10 Terrible

Juyong

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Bill

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
In the two days saty - it met all my needs
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chris

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great place

at a local wedding, perfect and close walk to town
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

2/10 Terrible

Karl

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Anne

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Handy to town centre. Friendly staff. Great parking
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Heather

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Handy location in Whangarei

Very happy with our choice to stay at The Distinction. An older property but the benefit of that is spacious rooms. A bonus was a spa bath and separate shower in a large bathroom. Great to have the balcony overlooking the Marina. Friendly staff. Free parking. Very happy
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Marissa

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Andrea

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
The room was nice, clean, bed comfy, tap in bathroom leaked, hallways spelt like smelly feet. Lady at front desk very friendly and helpful.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025