The distinctive style of Art Deco is on full display in the city of Napier in sunny Hawke’s Bay. Visit in February for the popular Art Deco Festival, with performances, aircraft displays, vintage car rides, and fashion and architectural delights.
For the rest of the year, Napier enjoys a mild climate so this beauty is a perfect spot any time of the year. Why not choose an amazing Art Deco Hotel in Napier and embrace this sumptuous destination?
Type of Accommodation: Heritage | Art Deco
Location: New Zealand | North Island | Hawkes Bay | Napier | Havelock North
Napier has a lot to offer holidaymakers with beautiful beaches, excellent vineyards, Te Mata Peak for hikes, Cape Kidnapper’s gannet colony, Splash Planet, farmers markets, boutiques, and amazing eateries.
Join a bicycle wine tour and discover the wineries, eateries, and artisan producers dotted throughout the rolling countryside.
Quick History
Before we dive into the hotels, here’s a quick history of Art Deco and Napier. Established in France in the 1920’s, Art Deco was originally influenced by Cubism, the colours of Fauvism and the exotic styles of China, Egypt, Persia, Japan and India.
Art Deco spread around the globe quickly and was all about luxury, elegance and opulence, featuring in fashion, art, interiors, buildings and even everyday objects.
In New Zealand in 1931, at the height of Art Deco, Napier experienced a devastating earthquake. In the following two years the central city was rebuilt in a uniquely New Zealand style of Art Deco, incorporating Maori designs.
The central Napier Art Deco Historic Precinct is today a Unesco World-Heritage site and a living museum of this iconic design. Within this precinct you’ll find 110 pastel-coloured Art Deco buildings built during the reconstruction, and some of these are now hotels.
As you walk around this area look out for sunbursts, chevrons, ziggarats, and geometric and ornamental motifs on walls, glass, metal, flooring, stucco, furniture, carpet…everwhere!
Now read on for an amazing list of Art Deco hotels in Napier embracing this 1930’s cutting-edge architectural design….
1. Art Deco Masonic Hotel Napier
Best for: 4 Star Hotel, Affordable, Stylish, Pacific View, Bridal Suite, Town Centre, $$
This boutique hotel is a popular and gorgeous stay on Napier’s Marine Parade, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. With a nod to contemporary and art deco design, colourful and geometric textiles and wallpapers adorn the studios, suites, and apartments. The accommodation is sophisticated and comfortable and some are even named after historic personalities, e.g. the Jean Batten Suite, Anna Pavlova Suite, and the Mark Twain Suite.
The shared balcony is a wonderful place to sit and contemplate the sea view. Out of all the hotels the Art Deco Masonic Hotel really embraces the Art Deco ethos and design and, is a hot ticket item during the Art Deco Festival. So be sure to book early if you plan on attending.
The hotel offers excellent food and drink establishments: The Emporium Eatery & Bar serves a delicious local seasonal menu, and the luxurious cocktail bar has an extensive selection of craft cocktails. The Emporium Lounge is a more intimate setting for dining and drinks. While the traditional Irish Pub – The Rose is friendly and relaxed with hearty pub meals.
Good to Know:
- 24-hour front desk, daily housekeeping
- Free WIFI
- Parking is one block from the hotel (small fee)
- The apartment accommodates up to four guests, with a bathroom and en-suite
- Studios and Suites accommodate up to two guests
- Beds are king size
- Studio beds can convert to two single beds
- Check prices and availability at Art Deco Masonic Hotel
2. Swiss-Belboutique Napier
Best for: 5 Star Hotel, City Centre, Spacious Suites, Pet Friendly, Family-friendly, $$$
This stunning premium boutique hotel showcases the later geometric designs of Art Deco, called Streamline Moderne, which was inspired by aerodynamic design.
The hotel offers large suites and studios for couples, friends, groups and families. The sizes range from a 29 square metre studio for two, to a two-bedroom supersuite that is 56 square metres.
The on-site restaurant is Saffron Social Kitchen, offering Indian cuisine. The rooms have tea and coffee making facilities, and a fitness centre is available for use by guests.
Good to Know:
- 24-hour front desk
- Parking garage (small fee)
- Free WIFI
- Check prices and availability at Swiss-Belboutique Napier
3. The County Hotel
Best for: 5 Star, Luxury Boutique Hotel, Palatial Honeymoon Suite, Library, Champagne Lounge, Couples, Small Groups $$$
The County Hotel is a boutique hotel built in 1909 so it’s actually Edwardian, and was one of the few significant buildings to survive the earthquake. The hotels retains the charm of yesteryear with 18 luxurious guest rooms and suites, with charming antique furnishings, 1930’s Art Deco décor and large balconies.
Dine at the hotel’s award-winning Wine Street Restaurant, relax at the splendid Churchill’s Champagne Lounge, and take some time out in the hotel’s intimate library.
Good to Know:
- Two-bedroom Regal Suite, with lounge can accommodate up to four guests
- Luxury Queen Rooms, King Rooms, Spa Rooms, and Suites
- The opulent suites include spa baths
- Check prices and availability at The County Hotel
4. The Dome
Best for: 4 Star Luxury and Penthouse Apartments, Sea Views, Kitchenette, Spacious, Spa Pool $$$
Calling itself ‘Art Deco chic’ this hotel has an amazing location with panoramic sea views. The apartments are fully self-contained, and some with access to the rooftop balcony. Stylish designer furniture and New Zealand art adorn each unique apartment.
Check when you book if the spa pool and pool are operational. Recent reviews on Tripadvisor have been disappointing so check there first (which is a shame because it’s a beautiful building).
Good to Know:
- Two-bedroom Penthouse for six guests, Rooms and Apartments for up to four guests
- Choose ocean or city view
- Free WIFI
- Not serviced during your stay (this includes an extra charge)
- Parking on street or at another location
- Check prices and availability at The Dome
5. The Nautilus
Best for: 5 Star Luxury Hotel, Sea Views, Spa Bath, Location, Executive Suites, Restaurant and Bar, $$$$
The Nautilus offers panoramic ocean views and sophisticated accommodation. The overall design is a contemporary twist on 1930’s art deco style in the upmarket furniture and interiors. Burton’s Restaurant serves New Zealand cuisine with touches of Pacific and European flavours, while the bar is a great spot to enjoy Hawke’s Bay’s best wines.
Good to Know:
- Self-contained Executive and Premium Studios and Apartments
- Double spa bath in every accommodation
- Kitchenette, mini bar
- Free WIFI
- Parking on site
- Heat pumps for heating and cooling
- Daily Housekeeping
- Ocean View Executive Apartment accommodates up to four guests
- Check prices and availability at The Nautilus
6. Quest Napier Serviced Apartments
Best for: Self-Contained Apartments, Location, Housekeeping, Parking, Stylish, $$
The Quest Napier Serviced Apartments are set in a beautiful Edwardian 1917 building, in the heart of the Art Deco Historic Precinct. This classic hotel provides everything you need for a comfortable and relaxing stay in Napier.
The light and airy apartments include kitchenettes, fridge, dishwasher, microwave, washing machine and dryer, comfy beds, desk, and on site parking.
Good to Know:
- Studios, One and Two-bedroom Apartments
- Daily housekeeping
- Satellite TV, free WIFI
- Secure parking
- Check prices and availability at the Quest Napier Serviced Apartments
Join one of these fun Napier activities!
Looking for a Luxury Cottage Stay for Two?
Best for: Luxury Villa for Two, Beautiful Gardens, Spacious, Kitchen, Romantic, $$
You’ll want to stay just for the incredible chandelier in the bedroom! With beautiful interiors, heritage-listed Colenso Cottage is renovated to a very high standard with luxurious special touches.
Originally this 80m2 cottage was home to William Colenso, an explorer and missionary. Today, it’s the perfect ‘petit maison’ on Napier Hill, within walking distance to the centre of Napier. You have views of magnificent Te Mata Peak from the sunny courtyard. The master bedroom has a king-size bed with luxury linen, the kitchen is fully equipped and the lounge is open-plan and stylish.
Good to Know:
- Parking in front of the house
- Breakfast basket can be arranged
- Laundry with washing machine and dryer
- Outdoor dining and seating
- Free WIFI
- Check prices and availability at Historic Colenso Cottage
Art Deco Holiday Homes in Havelock North
19 minutes south of Napier you’ll discover the stunning upscale village of Havelock North, surrounded by vineyards and peaceful countryside. This area is thriving artistically, with art galleries and boutiques.
The village has a wonderful selection of bars, eateries and local food shops. If you’re looking for adventure venture out to the many hiking and cycle trails. Beautiful white-sand Waimarama and Ocean Beaches are nearby too for swimming and surfing.
Deco Villa
Best for: Art Deco Holiday Home, Stylish, Garden, Bikes, Up to Six Guests
Stylish three-bedroom villa with a spacious kitchen, Nespresso machine, lounge, heat pump (for warmth and cooling), bathroom with shower, and garden with outdoor dining and BBQ. Free bikes available for guests to explore the area.
Check prices and availability at Deco Villa
Deco on Duart
Best for: Art Deco Holiday Home, Pet-friendly, Groups and Families, Near Shops, Up to Six Guests, $$$
Deco on Duart is perfectly located only a few minutes walk from the village shops and eateries. The three-bedroom villa is bright and spacious with a garden for outdoor living. The kitchen, lounge are open plan that flow out onto the large deck. One bathroom in the house and a shower and toilet in the laundry. Pets negotiable.
Check prices and availability at Deco on Duart
Need to rent a car?
Need to Rent a Car? Snap Rentals offers great deals and is a popular Kiwi-owned company. They also offer hybrid cars, or why not book the Mystery Snap!
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