New Zealand’s 6 New Hotel Openings in 2025
Remember when choosing a hotel in New Zealand often felt like picking between comfortable-but-corporate and charming-but-dated? Those days are fading fast. Right now, the country's accommodation scene is buzzing with fresh energy, innovative concepts, and some seriously stylish new addresses preparing to swing open their doors.
From global lifestyle giants finally landing on our shores to homegrown heroes reviving heritage gems, there's a wave of exciting openings redefining where we stay, play, and connect. It’s not just about beds anymore; it’s about experiences, design that tells a story, and spaces that feel plugged into the local vibe.
So, pack your bags (or just your curiosity) as we explore the most anticipated new hotels set to shake up New Zealand’s landscape in 2025 and beyond.
1. Moxy Auckland
Location: Central Auckland, near the vibrant Britomart Precinct
Expected Opening: Late 2025
Okay, let's address the timeline first: Moxy Auckland has become one of the city's most eagerly awaited and delayed openings. Originally slated for early 2023, construction challenges (including pioneering high-rise modular techniques in NZ) have pushed the debut back significantly, now looking like mid-2026. But the buzz remains because this will be New Zealand's first Moxy – Marriott’s energetic, millennial-focused brand known for its playful attitude and social heart.
Rising 16 stories near the university precinct, the $75 million Moxy is being built like high-rise Tetris, stacking 201 prefabricated room modules onto a concrete core – a fascinating engineering feat for NZ. Inside, expect the Moxy signature: check-in happens at the buzzing Bar Moxy, rooms are compact but cleverly designed (think pegboard wardrobes, smart tech, maybe that rumoured "classic Kiwi motoring" theme in the details), and communal spaces like the lobby lounge and "Plug-In" worktables are designed for mingling.
It's targeting "urban explorers" and the young-at-heart who want style and social connection without the stuffiness (or price tag) of traditional luxury. As Marriott’s VP Sean Hunt put it back when it was announced, Moxy will “bring the play on spirit to the city.” It seems we just need to be a little patient for playtime to begin.
2. Radisson RED Auckland
Location: 280 Queen Street, Auckland CBD
Inventory: 150 Rooms
Expected Opening: Anticipated Mid-2025
Injecting serious cool into the heart of mid-town Queen Street, Radisson RED Auckland marks the brand's bold Australasian debut. Taking over a 1970s former bank building opposite Smith & Caughey's, developers Stonewood Group (led by the Chow brothers) are investing $100 million to transform the 15-level office block into a vibrant 322-room lifestyle hotel.
Forget corporate beige; Radisson RED is all about art, music, and fashion. Expect striking design inspired by the nearby Aotea arts precinct – murals by local Kiwi artists, potentially graffiti-style pieces, immersive digital art, and bold uses of the signature RED colour. The rooms, ranging up to rare two-bedroom suites, promise style and tech-savviness (think app-based services and smart controls). The real showstopper? The top-floor "RED Rooftop" bar and restaurant, envisioned as a "breathtaking rooftop oasis" with panoramic city views, potentially serving street-food inspired bites and craft cocktails. Add to that an all-day dining restaurant, four function rooms, a wellness facility, and a chic 3-level retail arcade integrated at the base, and Radisson RED is shaping up to be a destination in itself – perfectly positioned to capture the energy of the upcoming City Rail Link station nearby.
3. Distinction Invercargill Hotel
Location: 24 Dee Street, Invercargill CBD
Inventory: 150 Rooms
Expected Opening: July 2025
Invercargill is getting a much-needed injection of upscale accommodation with the Distinction Invercargill Hotel. Local hotelier Geoff Thomson (of Distinction Hotels Group) is passionately transforming the city's landmark 1960s Menzies Building (a former Government Life building) into a 4.5-star haven. This isn't just a lick of paint; it's a thoughtful restoration preserving the modernist facade while completely gutting and rebuilding the interior.
The 150 rooms and suites will offer a unique blend: elegant furnishings inspired by Fiordland's natural beauty, alongside the surprising convenience of in-room kitchenettes and washer/dryers – a huge plus for longer stays or touring families. Expect luxury cloud-like beds, spa-like bathrooms (with eco-conscious toiletries), and potentially great city views. The ground floor will feature a stylish restaurant and bar (rumoured to be showcasing Bluff oysters and Southland lamb), plus private dining rooms. It's a labour of love aiming to provide "the gathering place loved by locals and hotel guests alike," elevating Invercargill's hospitality scene while honouring its heritage.
4. Roki Collection Queenstown
Location: 123 Frankton Road, overlooking Lake Wakatipu
Inventory: 15 Suites
Expected Opening: Mid- 2025
Prepare for a new benchmark in New Zealand luxury. ROKI Collection Queenstown, perched overlooking Lake Wakatipu just minutes from town, isn't just a hotel; it's an ultra-exclusive retreat entering the rarified air of the country's top lodges. With only 15 suites (ranging from lavish Junior Suites to a jaw-dropping 550sqm four-bedroom penthouse complete with private rooftop plunge pool and sauna), ROKI (meaning "tranquil" in te reo Māori) promises unparalleled privacy and bespoke service.
Designed by acclaimed luxury lodge designer Virginia Fisher, expect interiors of refined elegance using natural materials and local craftsmanship. Every suite boasts panoramic lake and mountain views, fireplaces, and deep soaking tubs. What sets ROKI apart is the service: full butler service for all suites, complimentary local transfers in a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, a dedicated Wellness and Sleep Concierge, and dining experiences curated by award-winning Culinary Director Paul Froggatt (ex-Kauri Cliffs) at the signature restaurant, Essence. With rates starting around NZ2,800 and potentially hitting $32,000+ per night for the top suite, ROKI is targeting the world's most discerning travelers, offering an intimate sanctuary where every desire is anticipated.
5. Hotel Indigo Auckland
Location: 51 Albert Street, Auckland CBD
Inventory: 225 Rooms
Expected Opening: Early 2025
Already welcoming guests, Hotel Indigo Auckland brings IHG’s boutique brand – known for weaving neighbourhood tales into its design – to New Zealand for the first time. Occupying the lower floors of a sleek new 41-storey tower on Albert Street (adjacent to Commercial Bay, with luxury residences above), this 225-room hotel tells an Auckland story through a unique lens: "Maritime Meets Motoring."
Inside, expect a fascinating blend of design cues referencing the city's seafaring heritage (subtle nautical motifs, perhaps harbour-inspired art) and its mid-century love affair with cars (think classic motoring upholstery textures, retro art). The rooms offer stunning city or harbour views from their perch in one of Auckland's tallest new buildings. Dining is a major focus: Bistro Saine, led by acclaimed Executive Chef Yutak Son (ex-Sidart), offers French-inspired cuisine with Kiwi flair, while a neighbourhood café transitions into a wine bar. The crowning glory is the Tamariki Rooftop Bar high up on the 40th/41st floor, promising spectacular sunset vistas over the Waitematā Harbour. It’s a sophisticated, story-rich addition delivering boutique intimacy within a modern skyscraper.
6. TRIBE Auckland Fort Street
Location: 15 Fort Street, Auckland CBD
Inventory: 60 Rooms
Expected Opening: Q2 2025
Proving that style doesn't need a hefty price tag, TRIBE Auckland Fort Street introduces Accor’s design-led midscale brand to NZ. Tucked away on historic Fort Street, just steps from Britomart, this intimate 60-room hotel focuses on "affordable luxury."
TRIBE's philosophy is "everything you need and nothing you don’t." Rooms are compact but cleverly designed and seriously stylish – expect bold colours (like cobalt blue), minimalist-chic furniture, open storage, smart tech, and maybe raw concrete ceilings for an industrial loft vibe. The real heart of TRIBE is its Social Hub – a vibrant lobby space that seamlessly blends reception, lounge, café, bar, and co-working area. It's designed for connection, with great coffee (24/7 grab-and-go), cocktails, communal tables, and curated designer objects creating a buzz. It’s perfect for digital nomads, solo travellers, or anyone seeking a sleek, central crash pad that feels more like a cool members' club than a traditional hotel.
The Takeaway
From high-tech modular builds and edgy rooftop bars in Auckland to lovingly restored heritage icons in the south and mind-blowing luxury in Queenstown, New Zealand's hotel scene is becoming incredibly diverse and exciting.
These new openings reflect a shift towards hotels as destinations in themselves – places that offer not just comfort, but connection, character, and a genuine sense of place.
Whether you're seeking playful design on a budget, sophisticated urban storytelling, regional warmth, or luxury beyond compare, Aotearoa's welcome mat just got a whole lot more interesting.
Keep an eye out – your new favourite stay might just be opening its doors.
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About the Author
Joshua Thomas is the founder of Hospo HR, an experienced hotelier, and an advocate for New Zealand's vibrant hospitality sector. Always immersed in the latest hospitality trends, news, and updates, his passion stems from his lifelong love as a devoted foodie. Connect with Joshua and his community of hospitality professionals.
