Where to stay in Napier

Napier ( NAY-pee-ər; Māori: Ahuriri) is a city in the Hawke's Bay region on the eastern coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is a beachside city with a seaport, known for its sunny climate, esplanade lined with Norfolk pines, and extensive Art Deco architecture.

At 10:47 AM on 3 February 1931, Napier and the wider Hawke's Bay was struck by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. The quake and subsequent fire killed 256 people and destroyed much of the central business district. The demolition rubble was dumped along the eastern foreshore and turned into gardens and a recreational reserve. After the earthquake, the CBD and other areas were rebuilt in the Art Deco styles prevailing at the time. Today, Napier is billed as "the Art Deco capital of the world", with over 100 Art Deco buildings in the CBD alone, most of which have been restored and heritage-listed.

Accommodation is abundant in Napier and the surrounding area and ranges from luxury to budget; hotels, self-catering apartments, motels and lodges (some with restaurants), homestay, backpackers hostels, holiday parks and motor camps with self-catering units, budget cabins and campsites. Families and groups are welcome at most establishments; seasonal and group discounts may apply. It pays to book in advance when events like Art Deco weekend are on, as accommodation can fill up at these times.

Getting in

Napier lies on State Highway 2, which passes through the centre of Napier just outside the downtown area. State Highway 50 crosses the city from the Port to Taradale before continuing south. From Taupō and most destinations north, take State Highway 5 (Napier-Taupo Road) east from Taupō. The highway terminates onto State Highway 2 at Eskdale, 14 km north of central Napier. There are two EV charging stations on the way from Taupō, but no fuel stations, so be sure you have at least 150 km worth of fuel before leaving Taupō.

Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.