Cheviot Park Motor Lodge
by the TopOfHotel team
Cheviot Park is a quiet, owner-run motor lodge with in-room kitchens and a budget price — and an 8.6/10 score that's high for the type.
Cheviot Park is a quiet, owner-run motor lodge with in-room kitchens and a budget price — and an 8.6/10 score that's high for the type.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Cheviot Park Motor Lodge is a small motor lodge run by the owners themselves, and the rooms reflect that personal attention. Each is a self-contained unit with its own small kitchen — electric stove, microwave, fridge and crockery — plus a comfortable bed, a private bathroom, a TV and free Wi-Fi. Most reviews praise how clean it is and how attentive the owners are, and the overall feel is closer to a private cottage than a hotel.
Food and amenities
There's no on-site restaurant, but that's rather the point of a motor lodge built for self-catering. The in-room kitchen lets you cook your own meals and keep costs down, and there's laundry on site. Free parking sits right outside your door — the kind of thing that matters in New Zealand, where everyone gets around by car.
Location and getting there
The lodge is 5 km outside central Whangarei, a 10-minute drive from the centre, and the setting is genuinely quiet — a clear break from the in-town hotels. Whangarei Falls is not far. A car is essential out here; there's no convenient public transport, so this only works if you're driving.
Things to know before booking
Being 5 km from the centre means you'll drive in for Town Basin, the restaurants and the sights — fine with a rental car, frustrating without one. There's no public transport that's any use here, so a car is non-negotiable. And the facilities are basic by design: this is a self-contained motor lodge, with no pool, restaurant or gym.
Our take
Cheviot Park suits couples and travellers with a rental car who want quiet and a genuine Kiwi motor-lodge stay. The 8.6/10 score is high for the type, and the owners help with driving routes for Tutukaka, Cape Reinga and the Bay of Islands. From $63 a night, it's the best value on this list for a good self-contained unit.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Quiet setting outside the town centre, a real break from the in-town hotels.
- Every unit has its own kitchen, so you can cook and keep food costs down.
- Free parking right outside your door — the classic Kiwi motor-lodge convenience.
- Score of 8.6/10, which is high for a motor lodge at this price point.
- Hands-on owners who are friendly and genuinely helpful with your plans.
- It sits 5 km from central Whangarei, so you'll have to drive into town for the marina, restaurants and sights.
- A car is essential — there's no convenient public transport out here, so it doesn't work without one.
- Facilities are basic: this is a self-contained motor lodge, not a hotel with a pool, restaurant or gym.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Whangarei
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Insider Tips
- Stop at a supermarket before check-in and cook your own dinner — the setting is quiet and made for it.
- Book this one if you specifically want to get away from town noise.
- Ask the owners for driving-route advice across Northland — they know the roads to Tutukaka, Cape Reinga and the Bay of Islands well.