Moving is messy. Possessions arrive before the keys, renovation delays happen, or a new job starts before you find the right long-term place. When the timeline of moving from one house to another doesn’t align, temporary or short-term accommodation can help to fill the gap.
In New Zealand, this comes in many forms with a variety of options to choose from, from serviced apartments to Airbnb.
Short-term accommodation is a great way to stay comfortable while you wait for your possessions. It can even be used to help you explore a new city before choosing which suburb is right for you.
If you’ve never booked a long-term stay before, you might not know what you are looking for. Short-term accommodations differ from booking a hotel room, but some hotels will use the term somewhat indiscriminately. Here is what you should be looking for:
Hotels are built around short stays, which can range from one night to a week. They are designed for sleeping and getting ready, not really for living.
Short-term accommodation is designed for actual daily living. Before you confirm your booking, consider whether you’re able to do most of your daily tasks, like cooking, washing clothes and relaxing after work.
Most short-term rentals and serviced apartments include:
This is important if you’re staying anywhere longer than a week. Hotel dining and eating out in New Zealand get expensive really fast. Having your own kitchen means you can grocery shop, cook proper meals, pack lunches, or reheat leftovers like you would at home.
While many hotels offer laundry service, they charge by the load or by the kg to do it for you. Again, this gets expensive if you’re staying anywhere for more than a week. Having access to a washing machine makes life easier when you’re in a temporary living situation, especially if you’ve only brought limited clothing or are juggling work, kids, or pets.
Short-term accommodation often includes:
Most hotels offer a bedroom, bathroom and minimal additional features that you might need to get ready and out the door. Staying in a short-term accommodation means more space for relaxing, dining, or getting some work done. It’s the difference between feeling like you’re living out of a suitcase and feeling like you have a temporary home.
They often have:
Anyone who has rented a flat in New Zealand will know that most of the time, you are locked into an initial 12-month lease. On the other hand, you’ve got hotels working in nightly increments.
Short-term rentals are more flexible, offering:
Most of us can’t afford to stay in a hotel for two months on end. Short-term accommodation allows you to live normally and more comfortably for a short space of time without paying top dollar to do so.
If you opt for a serviced hotel or apartment, you’ll still be paying for the convenience. Some hotels offer lower rates for long-term stays as it reduces the amount of work they have to do (housekeeping and laundry) and helps with occupancy rates.
Short-term accommodation is still more expensive than paying rent, but these spaces allow you to:
Your budget will determine which platform is best for you.
It is worth noting that what constitutes a ‘short stay’ seems to be up for debate. While you’ll find homes available for a few months, some of the flats are listed as a minimum 12-month lease.
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Quest Auckland (CBD) offers centrally located units that have a kitchen and laundry in each unit.
Quest Ponsonby comes with a kitchen and laundry in each apartment.
At The Sebel Auckland Viaduct Harbour Hotel, you’ll find compact units with harbour views and kitchens, in-room laundry and private balconies.
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An Auckland-based platform, Urban Rest offers a range of serviced apartments in the CBD and North Shore, known for their great location and comfortable, modern amenities.
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Located next to Spark Arena, Adina Apartment Hotel Britomart offers open-plan units with different sizes to choose from.
Located in the central city, Boulcott Suites has a range of options suitable for families or longer corporate stays.
Adina CityLife Wellington is conveniently located in Lambton Quay, making it perfect for accessing the city or the waterfront.
Quest on Thorndon in Pipitea has easy access to the stadium, city and parliament. These serviced apartments come with kitchens and laundry facilities, making them an ideal choice for corporate travellers.
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Gilmer Apartment Hotel is a great long-term option. En-suites and apartments come with kitchenettes and washer/dryers.
Willis Village is an apartment-style hotel with a homey feel, close to Cuba Street and Te Papa. Rooms are self-contained units with weekly housekeeping.
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Sudima Christchurch City is a modern hotel with premium apartment-style options and a good central location. Apartments include a separate lounge, kitchenette, fridge, dining table, and a washer and dryer combo.
Located right in the heart of the city, Quest Cathedral Junction is close to the park, shopping centres, restaurants and bars.
In the heart of the city, Southwark Hotel and Apartments come with either kitchenettes and laundry or access to a large communal kitchen and guest laundry.
West Fitzroy Apartments include a fridge, stovetop, dishwasher, oven, microwave, toaster, and kettle. Stays of more than 7 nights include complimentary housekeeping.
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In the heart of Christchurch, Quest on Cambridge's apartments feature air conditioning, an ensuite bathroom, and a fully-equipped kitchenette.
Whether you’re relocating for work, waiting on a long-term rental, exploring a new city, or simply craving a flexible place to land, finding the right short-term accommodation in New Zealand doesn’t have to be stressful.
Once you’ve secured your stay, the next step is getting your belongings from A to B. That’s where Wise Move comes in. Book the best moving teams in New Zealand for a move that works around your schedule, budget, and specific needs.
Wise Move is New Zealand’s leading moving service, helping thousands of customers with home moves, furniture removals, car and motorcycle transport, and more. Since 2017, we’ve been delivering reliable, affordable, and well-reviewed moving services in just a few simple steps. Our focus has always been on making moving as simple and effortless as possible for our customers.
