The Duke of Marlborough Hotel

4.5 star property

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Photo gallery for The Duke of Marlborough Hotel

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

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

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

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Small Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Waterfront Room

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Premium Room Seaview

  • Sea view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Superior Room, Courtyard

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

Waterfront Apartment

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

Classic Room, Courtyard

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Classic Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed OR 1 King Bed

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About this property

The Duke of Marlborough Hotel

Colonial hotel with fitness centre and 24-hour front desk
This smoke-free hotel features a restaurant, a fitness centre and a bar/lounge. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, a 24-hour front desk, tour/ticket assistance and wedding services are on-site.
The Duke of Marlborough Hotel offers 38 accommodations with iPod docking stations and a hairdryer. Plasma televisions come with satellite channels.

This Russell hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Additionally, rooms include an iron/ironing board and free toiletries. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

Recreational amenities at the hotel include a fitness centre.

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

Our customers tell us that they can't get enough of the helpful staff at The Duke of Marlborough Hotel. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Bay of Islands. Free WiFi in public areas, free self-parking and a restaurant are available.
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self-parking
  • Enjoy local cuisine and a beachfront location while dining at Duke of Marlborough
  • Amenities include a front desk safe, 2 meeting rooms and a lift
  • On-site recreation includes a gym
  • Guests have great things to say about the helpful staff and the location
  • Steps from Russell Beach and 4 minutes on foot from Russell Museum
There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. WiFi is free in public spaces. There are 2 meeting rooms available. A fitness centre, tour/ticket assistance, and a garden are also featured at the luxury The Duke of Marlborough Hotel. Limited free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This Colonial Russell hotel is smoke free.

Duke of Marlborough – This beachfront restaurant specialises in local cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests can order drinks at the bar and enjoy al fresco 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 programme that measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, cultural heritage and 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 per cent 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

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Children stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for NZD 50.0 per day.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

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

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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-authorise 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 and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Guests arriving after 9:00 PM must make advance arrangements by contacting the property using the information on the booking confirmation. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.
Property Registration Number 9429042359616

We should mention

  • Children stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.
  • Certain facilities might have restricted access. For details, you can contact the property at the number 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. 532 out of 816 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 217 out of 816 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 47 out of 816 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 14 out of 816 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 6 out of 816 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

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

10/10 Excellent

Diane, Sandia Park

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Pristine property. Gorgeous hotel. Russel is quaint and delightful.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey

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

6/10 Okay

Christopher

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

Stay away from rooms 1 and 1!

Our room had no privacy and no shade - it faced onto a walkway and was blasted by sun all day, so you had to keep the curtains closed day and night - yet the price was the same as their other balcony rooms...
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

William, Liberty Lake

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing history, view, artwork, restaurant, and world-class ambiance. The hotel was restored and updated years ago but it has been well maintained.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Moira

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very relaxing night here
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joan

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

Beautiful

Lovely little apartment on the beach front.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christine

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Had an amazing night here with friends, had dinner over looking the water. The food was delicious, service was great and the restaurant had a great ambiance. The rooms were lovely and looked exactly like the photos, no surprises. Will definitely be back.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Patrick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

Worth a stay

We were informed when we checked in that the best rooms were reserved for those that booked directly with the hotel. We were given a wheelchair accessible room on the ground floor, which was okay. The bar in the hotel was disappointing as the layout was poor, big sofas grouped in the middle of the bar area. The restaurant and service were excellent and highly recommended. Because this is an old hotel it doesn’t have modern refineries.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Victoria

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful beachfront property with an,amazing restaurants. Great experience with quaint rooms and artwork. Amazing little town.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Alan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jan

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved the location.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jacqui

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is my go to place. I love the village and coastal location, so very peaceful! Staff, food and accommodation is always on point.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karen

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a beautiful property in an Excellent location. The views are magnificent all the time and are part of the overall ambiance of the area. Wherever you sit for dinner or drinks you are immersed in the view of water, boats and people enjoying themselves.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Donna G

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

Quiet and quaint town

We enjoyed the hotel, the room was decent size but the bathroom was wonderful, very clean and large! We loved the location and enjoyed being able to walk everywhere.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bill

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A fantastic historic hotel right in the waterfront. We had a suite overlooking the sea.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Joanne

Beautiful historic hotel. Some small rooms.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

Holly

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

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca

Great hotel
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicole

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Brilliant - can’t wait to visit again
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Aileen

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The Duke of Marlborough was everything we wanted. The room was well appointed, the bed comfortable and the shower amazing. The staff were friendly and helpful and the restaurant views and food were outstanding. I would definitely recommend and will stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy

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