The Duke of Marlborough Hotel

4.5 star property

Photo gallery for The Duke of Marlborough Hotel

Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; local cuisine, beach views
Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; local cuisine, beach views
Waterfront Room | Water view
View from property
View from property

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Gym
  • 24/7 front desk
  • Parking included
  • Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View map
35 The Strand, Bay of Islands, Russell, 0255
  • Russell Beach
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Russell Christ Church
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Flagstaff Hill
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Kerikeri (KKE-Bay of Islands)
    ‪50 min drive‬

Room options

Superior King Balcony

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(16 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Small Room

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(12 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Waterfront Room

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(7 reviews)
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Premium Room Seaview

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • Sea view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Superior Room, Courtyard

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Bed

Waterfront Apartment

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

Classic Room, Courtyard

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(7 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Classic Room

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(7 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed OR 1 King Bed

Similar properties

About the area

Russell

When you stay at The Duke of Marlborough Hotel in Russell, you'll be on the waterfront, just steps from Russell Beach and 4 minutes by foot from Russell Museum. .This luxury hotel is 0.2 mi (0.4 km) from Tapeka Point and 0.5 mi (0.7 km) from Russell Christ Church.

What's nearby

  • Russell Beach - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Russell Christ Church - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Flagstaff Hill - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Long Beach - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Paihia Wharf - 26 min drive - 15.0 km

Getting around

  • Kerikeri (KKE-Bay of Islands) - 55 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cbk Craft Beer and Kitchen - ‬28 min drive
  • ‪Marina Cafe Opua - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪Hone's Garden - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Paihia Wharf - ‬28 min drive
  • ‪Charlotte’s Kitchen - ‬28 min drive

About this property

The Duke of Marlborough Hotel

Colonial hotel with a fitness center and a 24-hour front desk
The Duke of Marlborough Hotel offers 38 accommodations with iPod docking stations and hair dryers. Plasma televisions come with satellite channels.

This Russell hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and complimentary toiletries. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Recreational amenities at the hotel include a fitness center.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Make yourself at home in one of the 38 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and iPod docking stations. Plasma televisions with satellite programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Private bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as electric kettles and irons/ironing boards.
Enjoy recreation amenities such as a fitness center or take in the view from a garden. Additional features at this Colonial hotel include complimentary wireless internet access, wedding services, and tour/ticket assistance.
Enjoy local cuisine at Duke of Marlborough, a beachfront restaurant where you can enjoy drinks at the bar/lounge, take in the ocean view, and even dine alfresco.
Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, a safe deposit box at the front desk, and an elevator. This hotel has 2 meeting rooms available for events. Free self parking is available onsite.
Duke of Marlborough - This beachfront restaurant specializes in local cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can order drinks at the bar and enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting). A children's menu is available. Reservations are required.

Awards and affiliations

Eco-Certified Property
This property participates in Qualmark Sustainable Tourism Business Award, a program that measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, cultural-heritage, the local economy.

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free secured, uncovered self parking on site
  • Limited on-site parking (max 1 space per unit)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Restaurants on site

  • Duke of Marlborough

Things to do

  • Gym

Family friendly

  • In-room refrigerator

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Guidebooks
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • 2 meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • On the waterfront

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 1 accessible parking space
  • Front entrance ramp
  • Lift (90 centimetre wide door)
  • Visual alarms in hallways
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking

More

  • 2 floors
  • Banquet hall
  • Built in 1827
  • Colonial architecture
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • IPod dock
  • Plasma TV with cable/satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Electric kettle
  • Refrigerator
  • Restaurant dining guides

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Heating (climate-controlled)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: 9 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM

Special check-in instructions

The property charges 2.45 percent for credit card payments
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
If you are planning to arrive after 9:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Children can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are available for NZD 50.0 per day

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Rollaway bed fee: NZD 50.0 per day
  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 2.45 percent

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve high chair
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a smoke detector
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Property Registration Number 9429042359616

We should mention

Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
Some facilities may have restricted access; guests can contact the property for details using the contact information on the booking confirmation
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly)

National rating

Rating provided by Qualmark®, source of official star ratings for accommodation in New Zealand.

Property is also known as

Duke Marlborough Hotel
Duke Marlborough Hotel Russell
Duke Marlborough Russell
The Duke Of Marlborough
The Duke of Marlborough Hotel Hotel
The Duke of Marlborough Hotel Russell
The Duke of Marlborough Hotel Hotel Russell

The Duke of Marlborough Hotel Reviews

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 546 out of 834 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 221 out of 834 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 47 out of 834 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 14 out of 834 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 6 out of 834 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

9.2/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

phil

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
character
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

BEV

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sue

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Heather

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Waterfront stay in Russell

Immediately beside the Duke of Marlborough is their Waterfront Apartment called 'The Bungalow'. Nice to be at ground level with our own little courtyard. Fabulous Apartment furnished beautifully and Art depicting the location on the walls. Well supplied kitchenette. Excellent dinner and breakfast on the deck of 'Duke'. We blessed the peacefulness of the area in the shoulder season.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Roger, Warkworth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent Hotel. Only shortcoming was the lack of a lift near front entrance/reception
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anita

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved this place , highly recommended, staff very friendly and helpfull , we were there for a 60th wedding anniversary and it was well organized , we stayed the night aawell , the rooms were clean comfy and full of small nods to the past , fantastic!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Na
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful decor, terrific service, food is stunning, people are lovely.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jodie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Just gorgeous, luxurious, beautiful place to stay.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great staff, good service, compact room.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Helen

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

michael

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The location was good but they initially tried to put us in a room that didnt fit the description of the room we had booked.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Alison

Perfect position on water’s edge.

Beautiful position and spacious. Bathroom grouting needed cleaning and the bathroom smelt unpleasant. Comfortable bedroom. Living area and kitchen adequate. Brown carpet throughout.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Peter

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Enjoyed the vintage hotel decor, staff were very professional and helpful, and the location of the hotel is perfect for anyone visiting Russell.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kim

Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Had an amazing experience, helpful and accomodating employees who would do all they could to help us. Convenient location, enjoyed our stay. Highly recommend.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Larry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

June

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Maxine

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anna

Liked: Amenities
Great
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Karen

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Pros: View from terrace restaurant was stunning, food was great, rooms have been renovated beautifully. Cons: reception area dark and musty smelling. Skimping on towels-no hand towels, no bath mat, no flannels. Shower head floppy squirted over tiles when turned on, so floor wet and slippery with nothing to mop up water
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Tracey, Manassas

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Our room was facing the ocean but the restaurant was below and we could hear people talking and laughing until later in the evening. Not many convenient plugs in the room.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Charles

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Keen historic property with very good staff.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Kristin

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The rooms felt a little dated but perhaps that is part of the charm. The staff was great, the dinner was delicious and the location unbeatable.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anita

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brenda

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had a lovely, sunny room, friendly staff and a nice meal at this historic hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025