Best Places to Stay on the West Coast

In our campgrounds blog, we shared the best spots for freedom campers and those travelling by van. But not everyone is exploring in a camper, and sometimes a comfortable bed is exactly what you need after a day of adventures. The West Coast may be wild, but it also offers a great mix of motels, boutique lodges and small-town stays. From arty Hokitika to the glacier villages of Franz and Fox, here are the best places to stay on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

🎨 Hokitika – The Arty Hub

Hokitika is often called the heart of the West Coast, and it has a charm that’s hard to beat. This seaside town is famous for its creative energy, with jade carving studios, art galleries and local craft shops lining the streets. At sunset, you’ll find both locals and travellers wandering down to the beachfront to watch the sky light up behind the Tasman Sea. With the turquoise Hokitika Gorge just a short drive away and a thriving café culture in town, Hokitika makes a perfect base for exploring the central Coast.

Accommodation options are plentiful from boutique B&Bs and cosy motels to beachfront hotels with sweeping ocean views.

• Deluxe Stay: Beachfront Hotel Hokitika – Stylish rooms with sea views right on the Tasman coast.
• Standard Stay: Jade Court Motor Lodge – Comfortable, well-located motel with friendly service.

🪨 Punakaiki – Stay by the Pancake Rocks

Punakaiki is small but its location is unbeatable. Imagine waking up to the sound of crashing waves, with the world-famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes just a short stroll away. The area is surrounded by limestone cliffs, wild beaches and rainforest tracks, giving you a true taste of West Coast nature. Staying here means you can explore at a slower pace, especially once the day visitors have left.

Despite the village’s size, there are plenty of cosy options from eco-retreats to beachfront motels.st.

• Deluxe Stay: Scenic Hotel Punakaiki – Beautifully positioned with ocean and rainforest views.
• Standard Stay: Punakaiki Beachfront Motels – Simple but cosy units right on the sand.

🚂 Greymouth – The Main Hub

Greymouth is the largest town on the West Coast and often the starting or finishing point for the famous TranzAlpine train journey. While it doesn’t have the charm of the smaller villages, it’s a practical base with supermarkets, restaurants and a wide choice of motels and hotels. From here, you can also enjoy the Monteith’s Brewery tour, the historic Shantytown Heritage Park or head north to Punakaiki.

Accommodation here is varied and plentiful, making it a convenient overnight stop.

• Deluxe Stay: Coleraine Suites & Apartments – Spacious, modern rooms with excellent reviews.
• Standard Stay: Bella Vista Motel Greymouth – Reliable and convenient for travellers passing through.

🏔️ Franz Josef – The Glacier Village

Franz Josef is the busiest village on the Coast, and for good reason. It’s the hub for heli flights, glacier walks, hot pools and wildlife encounters, with a lively main street filled with restaurants, cafés and bars. The atmosphere here is energetic and adventurous, making it the perfect base if you want to be close to the action.

You’ll find plenty of choice from luxury eco-retreats to chalets tucked in rainforest settings.

• Deluxe Stay: Te Waonui Forest Retreat – Luxury eco-retreat set in rainforest, perfect for a special stop.
• Standard Stay: Rainforest Retreat (Chalets & Motels) – Private motel-style units and chalets in lush bushland.

❄️ Fox Glacier – The Quieter Sibling

Just 25 minutes south of Franz, Fox Glacier village offers a calmer, more relaxed base. It’s smaller, quieter, and perfect if you prefer a slower pace while still being close to glacier activities. The jewel here is Lake Matheson, famous for its mirror-like reflections of Aoraki Mount Cook at sunrise. With scenic walks, cosy cafés and a laid-back feel, Fox is an ideal alternative to Franz Josef.

Accommodation includes boutique-style hotels, comfortable motels and alpine lodges.

• Deluxe Stay: Distinction Fox Glacier Te Weheka Hotel – Boutique-style with comfort and mountain views.
• Standard Stay: Fox Glacier TOP 10 Holiday Park – Comfortable self-contained units and cabins in a peaceful setting.

🌲 Haast – Remote and Rugged

Haast is the southern gateway to the West Coast, where the road winds through wild rivers, remote beaches and the dramatic Haast Pass. This tiny settlement feels like the edge of the world, making it a great stopover between the glaciers and Wanaka or Queenstown. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with untouched wilderness and an isolated charm that few places can match.

While Haast is small, you’ll still find a handful of comfortable motels, inns and chalets.

• Deluxe Stay: Haast River Motels & Holiday Park (Chalets) – Modern chalets in a peaceful bush setting.
• Standard Stay: Heartland World Heritage Hotel – A classic West Coast stop with comfortable rooms and friendly service.

✨ Final Thought

The West Coast may be famous for its wild landscapes and dramatic scenery but its small towns and welcoming stays are just as memorable. Whether you’re soaking up creative energy in Hokitika, watching blowholes thunder in Punakaiki, relaxing into the buzz of Franz Josef or winding down in the remoteness of Haast, there’s always a warm bed and local hospitality waiting.

👉 Looking for the perfect stay? Browse the best West Coast accommodation here

🌍 Travel Planning Resources

These are the tools we personally use and trust when planning our travels from finding a place to stay to booking activities, transport and insurance. Let your Tohu guide you — Trust the Journey and follow what feels right for you.

• ✈️Flights – Compare great deals with Trip.com then Kiwi.com for flexible, affordable options.
• 🚐 Campervans – Compare rental deals with Motorhome Republic across Aotearoa and beyond.
• 🛏️ Stays – Compare hotels on Trip.com and TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
• 🚐 Rental Cars – Compare prices and book through Airport Rentals by Motorhome Republic for trusted brands and easy airport pickup.
• 🎟️ Activities – Browse tours and experiences on Viator, Get Your Guide, or TripAdvisor
• 🚆12Go Asia – Compare and book trains, buses, and ferries across Asia in one place with 12Go.
• 🛡️ Travel Insurance – Get flexible short-term coverage with Insubuy for your next holiday.
• 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with a VPN – We recommend Surfshark VPN for secure and private browsing while travelling. It’s fast, affordable and works worldwide — perfect for public Wi-Fi at airports, cafes and hotels.
• 📱 Travel eSIM – Stay connected with Airalo
• 💼 Lounge Access – Treat yourself with Priority Pass – for UK or US
• 🎶 Events & Concerts – Book tickets worldwide through Ticketmaster.

🧭 Note: Some booking links can be a bit shy when you’re using a VPN. If one doesn’t open, try pausing your VPN or switching to a different server location or secure Wi-Fi network to get things flowing again.