Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre
Location: 9 Riverside Drive, Whangarei, nz
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Property Type: Hotels
About this Property
Luxurious Amenities
Indulge in the indoor pool, fitness centre, and hot tub for a relaxing stay at Distinction Hotel Whangarei.
Convenient Location
Situated opposite Hatea River, our hotel is a short walk from Town Basin Marina and Claphams Clock Museum, offering easy access to nearby attractions.
Entertainment Options
Unwind in our shared games room with billiards or explore the variety of shops and cafes nearby. PAK'nSAVE and Serenity Café are just a stone's throw away.
Book your stay now at Distinction Hotel Whangarei for a perfect blend of comfort and convenience.
Important Information
Please note that all credit card transactions incur the following processing fees: 2%Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Policies
Check-in: 02:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Amenities & Facilities
- Offsite parking discounted rates available
- Fitness facilities (surcharge)
- Parking
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Swimming pool
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Family rooms
- Luggage storage
- Safety deposit box
- Fax/photocopying
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Hot tub/Jacuzzi
- Packed lunches
- Non-smoking throughout
- Concierge service
- Kid meals
- Heated pool
- Outdoor furniture
- Shallow end
- Fence around pool
- Smoke alarms
- CCTV outside property
- Television in common areas
- Front desk (limited hours)
- Billiards or pool table
- Free wired internet
- Access to nearby indoor pool
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Offsite parking discounted rates available
- Fitness facilities (surcharge)
- Internet access
- Housekeeping on request
- Wine release events
- Reception hall
- Secured parking
- Swimming nearby
Rooms Available
-
Junior Suite
This suite features a seating area with a flat-screen TV. It also includes a mini bar, a fan and heating.
Maximum occupancy is 4 guests including children and infants.
1 child under 13 years of age can be accommodated in this room free of charge when booking the standard rate.
Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- TV
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Refrigerator
- Desk
- Seating Area
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Sofa
- Alarm clock
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
- Toilet paper
- Wine glasses
- Cots
- Key card access
-
Superior Twin Room
The twin room offers air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower and a hairdryer. The twin room provides a flat-screen TV, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor and heating. The unit has 2 beds.
Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- TV
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Refrigerator
- Seating Area
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Alarm clock
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
- Toilet paper
- Wine glasses
- Key card access
-
Superior King Room
The double room features air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower and a hairdryer. The unit has 1 bed.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- TV
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Refrigerator
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Alarm clock
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
- Toilet paper
- Wine glasses
- Key card access
-
Marina View King without Balcony
The spacious double room provides air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom featuring a bath and a shower. The unit offers 1 bed.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- TV
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Refrigerator
- Desk
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Sofa
- Alarm clock
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
- Toilet paper
- Wine glasses
- Key card access
-
Marina View King with Balcony
This spacious air-conditioned room offers views out towards the marina. It offers a sofa and a flat-screen TV. It also includes a private bathroom with a shower, a bath and free toiletries.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- TV
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Refrigerator
- Desk
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Sofa
- Alarm clock
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
- Toilet paper
- Wine glasses
- Cots
- Key card access
Guest Reviews
- Krystal (8/5): -
- Stephanie (9/5): - Comfy bed
- Rob (4/5): -
- Atis (8/5): - Modern room, friendly staff, and good location The shower room is quite old
- David (8/5): -
- Tim (8/5): - Nice room great location Hotel common areas need renovation
- Siobhan (3/5): - Big beds Wasn't clean
- Rebekah (8/5): Very comfortable stay for a weekend - excellent riverside location for entertainment and shopping - We stayed in the junior suite (2x single beds in the lounge area, 1x queen bed in the bedroom) and it was very comfortable for our needs.
The hotel is a little on the dated side, but that didn't bother us.
Beds were comfortable. Suite was spacious given the number of people it accommodated (2 adults, 2 children).
Bathroom a great size and there was a bath tub which was a bonus.
Heat pump in the living room area which was lovely.
Wifi was good.
Plenty of car parking.
Excellent location to the riverside area and to the Okara shopping centre.
Friendly staff during check in/check out. Would've been nice to have had a toaster or a microwave in the room for reheating/cooking (although I understand they want people to eat in the restaurant so won't provide these things).
No other cutlery available other than hot drink mugs and teaspoons - again some little bread plates some knives/forks would have been nice for those who bring other food items/snacks with them.
Otherwise - nothing else to fault from my perspective. This was excellent value for our stay in Whangarei. I would stay here again :-)
- Greg (7/5): -
- Donna (10/5): -
- PADDY (5/5): - N/a It is VERY dated, lacks character and very little effort has been put into the decor.
- Puluka (7/5): -
- Mariam (8/5): - Convenience to the town basin and the museums The hallways need to be updated.
- Judy stallard (6/5): Over all I enjoyed my stay, lovley clean room and such a comfortable bed!! So local to town - Extremely comfortable bed, lovely clean room Coffee , tea and sugar and tiny milk tubs ( awesome) but nothing to stir it with?
Aircon could do with some attention.. I stood on a chair to turn it on at the wall to find it wasn’t working all that well.. ( maybe that is why it had been turned off?) My breakfast's was lovely, but Luke warm.. a small microwave would be nice..
- jan (7/5): - The view over the Marina
- Hayley (8/5): -
- SCRIVENER (9/5): -
- Marjorie (10/5): - Exceptional customer service
- Marjorie (10/5): -
- Paul (1/5): Excellent location, won't be back have found somewhere else. - Not very flexible around booking.com when wanted to change dates around, left the place paid for a night but would transfer to another night. We have recently purchased a business in Whangarei and regularly have staff every week staying in Whangarei. Making it easier would not have cost you an estimated $20k p/a in accommodation we envisage we will spend. No staff could make decisions, has to talk to GM and then they would relay what the GM said. Not flexible, stains on carpet
- Shane (7/5): - Location walking distance to wharf and city. Staff at countet and restaurant are very friendly and helpful Can be a bit noisy. Dated. But comfortable
- Paul (7/5): Overall ok because of the location - Location, location, location. Probably needs a bit of an upgrade considering the cost being charged
- Gail (10/5): Very Comfortable! - Efficient, caring of clients, great location . Needs a little up-dating to really give it a boost.
- Bill (8/5): - Facilities not working
- Linda (9/5): Great last minute booking! -
- Ana (4/5): - Location Quite old and dirty looking. The entrance to the rooms - corridor looks like it hasn’t been refurbished since it was built. Rooms look like they have been upgraded but the entire facilities were still poorly outdated including the blankets which look like old quilts. Better value for money to book an Airbnb in my opinion. Staff were great though but major faults with the room.
- Riki (8/5): -
- Roberts (1/5): Zero rating worst customer service i have ever experienced - Nothing Paid for superior suite but was given budget room. When questioned reception why, was told to bad they had given room to some else and not their problem put the blame on booking agent . Will never go back. Shit service and not willing to help or resolve the problem. My g/f travelled from Auckland for a special night, only to be turned away with no accomodation.
- Paula (5/5): Reasonable - Great staff and very friendly Facilities were poor
No shelf in refrigerator
Spa bath didn’t work
No coins available for dryer
- Marjorie (10/5): - The whole stay
- Tammie (10/5): Clean, great location and ideal facilities -
- Keith (8/5): - Best ever breakfast, very comfortable bed, quiet room (except for some mildly noisy guests coming and going)
Bathroom could be improved with more rails to hang towels and clothes and a small bench for toiletries) Friendly staff.... a most enjoyable stay (again)
- Mariao (9/5): -
- David (9/5): Friendly helpful staff and a great location. We only stayed one night on our way to KeriKeri -
- Helen & Christopher (9/5): - Excellent location, handy to town Property needs a bit of maintenance is a bit tired
- Lucy (10/5): - Friendly staff
- Scott Laurenson (10/5): -
- Roseiya (9/5): It was a little family get away - The location was so good close to all facilities Nothing
- Mark (7/5): -
- Bailey (8/5): - Modern feel to the rooms. The noise that could be heard from other rooms and the hall etc.
- A (9/5): -
- Kirita (7/5): Dates Facilities But Excellent Location & Good Team On Site - Location was amazing within walking distance to bars and restaurants, board walk loop, CBD, all local amenities etc Unfortunately very dated and tired throughout; it is a great facility and just requires updating throughout which I appreciate is reliant on available funds. The staff were friendly at reception at checkin and checkout.
- Kayla (6/5): -
- Annette (7/5): -
- NZLDS (8/5): -
- Rangz (10/5): -
- Ian (8/5): - The staff were friendly and helpful.
Location very central in town basin. Furniture needs updating as looking worn and a bit tired.
- Fiona (8/5): Rested. - Good location. Easy to find. Easy parking.
Quiet. Staff friendly helpful had Good local knowledge.
Only minus....disability access....I had a knee injury why i was down having assessments done at the hospital. So probably should of asked for ground floor. Thought they'd be a lift so didn't think it was an issue at booking. Was only one night so handled it....if I'd stayd longer would of enquired to change room. Otherwise Good restful stay after 8 hour day and two hour drive down.
Dinner was yummy.
- Nicola (8/5): Comfortable hotel with excellent staff - This accommodation was well placed by the basin with excellent restaurants nearby. Staff were very helpful and pointed out places to go. Plenty of car parking which was useful.
- Awa (5/5): - Friendly staff and clean room The hotel itself seems a little dated (except room) and definitely not sound proof could hear lots of noise from the hallway.
Pool is okay but definitely a little pricey.
- Adalie (8/5): Great for families - Chill 90s vibes and a great breakfast Nothing
- Rangimaria (10/5): -
- Khaled (7/5): - Location and staff There was nosie of like an engine all day and night, couldn't really sleep that I left a day earlier
- Hitesh (7/5): Good location but could do with bit more facilities. - Great location right in the middle of the CBD, clean rooms Room could do with bit more facilities like microwave, more cutlery. We had a baby with us and some kind of food heating facilities would have been good. Room was for 4 people but cutlery were for only 2 people.
- Eljon (10/5): Great location - Great location friendly and helpful staff. Thank you.
- Kumar (10/5): -
- Chris (10/5): -
- skinner (2/5): If you want bang for your buck dont stay here. - The bed was comfortable. I was told I owed $100 for breakfast but they took $175 out of my account.
The bathroom had mould on the ceiling.
The carpet was heavly stained.
Stair wells had food crushed into the steps.
Wall paper was torn in areas.
The food at the restaurant wasn't cooked properly.
They kept running out of stuff at breakfast in which people had to keep asking for stuff.
At breakfast they were cleaning from the night before.
They charged high prices for a place that is run down, and it shows they dont maintain the property.
The worst place I have stayed.
- Todd (7/5): -
- Neil (7/5): - Location was handy and room comfortable Noisy neighbours
- Angeline (10/5): -
- Kara (8/5): Very relaxing - Location, size of room, good bed.
- Noel (9/5): -
- Dyllan (7/5): - The spa bath Having a spa and then realizing all the grime that came through when I turned on the spa bath.
- Martina (8/5): - Sehr gut
- Nicki (10/5): Super close to town and great facilities for the kids. We have stayed a few times now and will again when passing throug - Great location so close to town. Pool and spa were great for the kids Nothing
- Dennis (10/5): -
- Colin (10/5): -
- Emily (10/5): Would stay again, overall great - Everything. The spa bath doesn’t work.
- Claudia (8/5): Great location - We had a lovely view with good view to Marina. Walking distance to restaurants. Good parking.
Our room was renovated. Hotel is a bit tired. Needs to carpet etc in hallways. I think the hotel could do with a good renovation.
- David (8/5): Good and easy walk into town - Rom was advertised as Junior Suite with the extra beds really a family room. Would need a lounge to be a suite
- Deborah (7/5): Ok for a short time not a long time. - The bed was comfy and location good. View of marina lovely. Very very outdated. A huge red stain on carpet that didn’t look appealing at all.
- Roderick (5/5): -
- Dale (7/5): -
- Brenda (7/5): -
- SIMON (7/5): - Corridor needed updating
- Deborah (9/5): Perfect location, clean room and friendly staff - Location fantastic! Room was large and clean. Was a bit pricey.
- Bayly (8/5): -
- Deborah (8/5): - A nice big, quiet room with a comfortable bed.
The hotel was easy to find, and had a lovely view of all the boats.
Pleasant staff.
- Lemisio (9/5): -
- Nathan (10/5): -
- Bruce (8/5): - . .
- Seton (9/5): - Great service Minor but the building is tired
- Karen (7/5): Great location, ample parking, friendly and helpful staff. However a bit run down - Proximity to town, staff, ample parking It’s ‘tired’ and needs a refurbishment
- Bacon (10/5): - The new refurbished rooms at the rear are very nicely done.
Bed was very comfy.
Gr8 location. The bathroom needs a complete refurb. And a bathroom waste bin.
The heat pump is old, noisy and discolored.
The hallway decor and flooring still need to be completed for the hotel to be at a high standard.
- Peter (8/5): Ein angenehmer Aufenthalt. - Die Lage war nahe dem Zentrum. Es war geräumig, sauber und die Betten sehr gut. War ein angenehmer Aufenthalt. Waschmaschine und Tumbler waren auf der Etage vorhanden und ich konnte die Kleider waschen. Eine Kleinigkeit, die WC-Brille war nicht fest und rutschte hin und her.
- Peter (5/5): Great location but that's all - Great location. Our room ( junior suite) much larger than expected Hotel very tired and in need of a refresh. "Garden" full of weeds and half dead plants. Our room had loud kitchen noise to late at night and from very early in morning. Receptionist looked like she didn't want to be there.
- Galit (9/5): - Comfortable, spacious, clean. Great location, lovely staff
- Petra (8/5): - Pool, breakfast and great beds. Small showe
- Sally (7/5): - Staff, location, comfortable bed, large room, nice view The sink was stained very old or not clean
- Milsie (6/5): Not bad for the price - Location Place needs a upgrade!
- MarvB (8/5): -
- Jaqi (8/5): Welcoming staff, comfy and clean beds, spa and pool, great for kids - Pool and spa pool was great for kids. Buffet breakfast option in the booking was great. Beds comfy. Bit more cleanliness in bathrooms, tiles etc. Decor a bit tired in the hallways.
- Amy (4/5): Not recommend!!! - The location is amazing! just beside to the town basin. If you want to have brunch or take a walk around,it's really a good place to stay. But the receptionist is rediculous! Ruined my day when I checkout. We arrived 7th of Jan in the afternoon check-in for 3 days stay. Cause my booking excluded breakfast but we needed to get up early next day so we paid for the breakfast next day which is for 8th of Jan when we arrived. The thing is when we did checkout on 10th of Jan, the receptionist told me we needed pay the breakfast we had on 8th of Jan. Although we showed our payment transaction to her to prove we already paid when we arrived but she didn't believe us. She told us what we paid is for 7th. Even we tried to explained to her how we can arrived in the afternoon but had breakfast here. She just asked us to shut up!? After she checked the camera and back to tell us we still needed to pay the fee cause she saw us had breakfast on 8th. It's just make no sense. After all, she said"Ok. Fine. We let you go"??? WTF??? It's not our mistakes. And she didn't even said sorry to us. It's my worst service experience I had!!!
- Roger (6/5): - Within walking distance to the centre of town and many restaurants. Some of the furniture and facilities were not well maintained. They were minor things but did detract from the place.
- Bridget (8/5): Excellent service and location. Very comfortable room with an excellent shower. Will stay again. - The staff and location were excellent and the room was large and comfortable. Great parking and excellent wifi. The room and building were quite tired. Our bathroom sink though spotlessly clean was very stained - some inconsiderate guest had probably dyed their hair over it! Overall just needs a bit of a freshen up. This certainly wouldn’t put us off staying in anyway! We will be back😁
- Evelyn (9/5): A much needed relaxing break from the reality of Auckland. - The location was great as it takes 1 minute to walk to the marina, 5 minute walk to pak n save, and 7 minute walk to restaurants if you feel like trying local food.
My room was spacious, with 2 big comfortable beds, a smart tv that you can watch youtube or other internet apps, good wifi, black out curtains, a solid noise cancelling door, and a spacious bathroom with walk-in shower. The toilet needs an upgrade as the toilet seat cover wouldn't stay upright.
- Te Arawhiti (8/5): - The location No microwave
- Kristeen (10/5): - Great location and nice comfy rooms Nothing. All is great
- Stewart (8/5): -
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