Tourist Court Motel

You know what? I wasn’t expecting much when I first pulled up to Tourist Court Motel on Landing Road – honestly, the name sounds pretty generic – but this place actually surprised me in the best way. It’s one of those classic New Zealand motels that’s been quietly doing its thing right, and after staying here a few times when visiting Whakatane, I get why locals recommend it to their visiting family.

The location is honestly perfect if you know the area. You’re literally two minutes from the Whakatane River mouth, which means you can walk down to watch the boats come in with their catch or just sit by the water with a coffee (there’s a decent café called Sandbar just down the road that opens early). Landing Road itself is pretty quiet – no late-night traffic noise, which I really appreciated. The rooms have that clean, no-fuss motel vibe with proper blackout curtains that actually work, and the beds are surprisingly comfortable. I mean, they’re not fancy, but after a day exploring Ohope Beach or hiking around Whale Island, you’ll sleep like a rock. The owners clearly care about the details – fresh towels that don’t smell like industrial detergent, decent water pressure, and those little touches like having a proper mirror with good lighting in the bathroom.

What really sells me on this place is how it fits into the rhythm of Whakatane. You’re close enough to walk into town for dinner (tryWharf Shed if you want decent fish and chips with a view), but far enough from the main drag that you’re not dealing with weekend party noise. The parking is easy – no cramped city-style spaces where you’re worried about door dings. During summer it can get busy with families heading to Ohope, so book ahead if you’re coming between December and February. The staff genuinely seem to know the area well; they pointed me toward some great walking tracks I never would have found otherwise, including this little coastal path that connects to Muriwai Drive. It’s the kind of place where you check in quickly, dump your bags, and get on with exploring – which is exactly what you want in a base for the Bay of Plenty. At 8.3 rating, it’s clearly hitting the mark for most people, and honestly, for the price point and location, it’s hard to argue with that.

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