4 Best Hotels in New Plymouth, North Island's West Coast

These rustic yet chic studio and one-bedroom villas sit on a clifftop with stunning views of world-famous surf beach Oakura. The villas are built of recycled 100-year-old French clay tiles and hardwood wharf piles. For bigger groups the "underground" villa, built against a bank and capped with a grass roof, offers two queen bedrooms, two bathrooms, and space to host a party. All units have cooking facilities, the owners provide breakfast on request, or you can drive five minutes to Oakura Village and its many cafés.

A coastal vineyard a short drive south of New Plymouth offers the chance to stay in chalets with sweeping sea views. Perched on a hillside, balconies look out across grazing paddocks and the rugged coastline below, with Paritutu Rock and the Sugarloaf Islands visible to the right. In the other direction are expansive gardens and rows of vines, as well as views of Mount Taranaki. Family-owned and -operated Okurukuru vineyard also has a cellar door on-site, and the vineyard bistro conveniently serves lunch and dinner from Thursday to Sunday. 

Stylish and modern, central New Plymouth's only waterfront lodging is handily placed next to the Puke Ariki Museum. Each room has sea or city views and superking or queen beds; configurations range from studios with showers (no tubs) to elite studios with individual whirlpool baths and penthouse suites with separate bedroom, double whirlpool bath, shower, full laundry, and kitchen facilities. Salt, the hotel's popular restaurant-bar, feels minimalist—all the better to appreciate the view of Len Lye's 148-foot Wind Wand statue across the road.

Personable owner Terry Parkes has transformed this 19th-century heritage building into an opulent city retreat decorated with eclectic furnishings and contemporary art by leading Taranaki artists. The hotel's stylish, individually designed accommodations blend luxury amenities (double whirlpool baths or massage showers) with its heritage features. Adjacent to the hotel are four suites, three with kitchen facilities. Table at Nice, the hotel restaurant, is considered one of New Plymouth's finest.