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
Front of property
Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; local cuisine, beach views
Premium Room Seaview | View from room
Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; local cuisine, beach views

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Restaurant
  • Air-conditioning
  • Gym
  • Business services

Explore the area

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

Room options

Waterfront Room

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

Small Room

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(15 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Superior King Balcony

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(26 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Premium Room Seaview

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • Sea view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Superior Room, Courtyard

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

Classic Room, Courtyard

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(9 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Classic Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(12 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed OR 1 King Bed

Waterfront Apartment

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen 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
  • Russell Museum - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Flagstaff Hill - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Long Beach - 13 min walk - 1.1 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪CBK Craft Bar & Kitchen - ‬27 min drive
  • ‪Charlotte's Kitchen - ‬28 min drive
  • ‪Orange Frog - ‬27 min drive
  • ‪Duke of Marlborough Hotel - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Hone's Garden - ‬3 min walk

About this property

The Duke of Marlborough Hotel

The Duke of Marlborough Hotel offers 38 accommodations with hair dryers and irons/ironing boards. Plasma televisions come with satellite channels. This Russell hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. 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.

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 number of on-site self parking spaces 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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

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. 609 out of 925 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 243 out of 925 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 50 out of 925 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 16 out of 925 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 7 out of 925 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

9.0/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

JP

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Location was fabulous with great views over the bay a lovely ambiance. Staff were really friendly.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Tracy

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Jackie

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean room. Cute hotel. Great location
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Andrew

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Michele, Overland Park

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was lovely. We had a nice view of the ocean. The water pressure in the shower was excellent. The air conditioning worked really well. The hotel is perfectly situated on the water with many local restaurants nearby. It's a nice, quiet place to have a break.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Eveline, Den Haag

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great historical location, friendly staff
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

David

Very good stay
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Simon

Yes
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Kunal Sunil

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Location is superb
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jane

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hotel was beautiful and very memorable. Staff great. Wonderful birthday celebration with family.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

A

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Janelle, Dargaville

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

James

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Our hotel room was immaculate, spacious and comfortable and it was enhanced by a balcony overlooking the harbour.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Mairi

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

8/10 Good

Catherine

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
To see beach you had to look around the corner of the window. Our view was actually neighbouring properties roof. But room was clean, comfortable and we still enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Len, Oakland

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff was great, and bungalow we stayed in was lovely. Adjacent to hotel, room had jetted tub with shower plus kitchenette. Water front view was lively albeit 5 minute parking space in front for checkin sometimes had cars blocking our view. The restaurant dinner for sunset was lovely and food was excellent.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Brian

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Staff courteous and friendly Room clean/ appreciated room made up during 2night stay
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leah

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent large room right on the waterfront. Clean, fresh, light, in the centre of town. Comfy bed and nice sheets.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

4/10 Poor

Stuart

Travelled with partner
Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness
Room was not serviced properly in advance of our booking in. We found an article of clothing belinging to the previous guest - handed it in at reception and received an apology. Said they would speak to the clesning staff. There was a sickening stench of rotten fish in our part of the hotel from the time we arrived until we left 2 days later. When we advised reception of this they again apologised and advised that they had received several other complaints regarding the same thing. No update was given and the smell was hard to tolerate either in our room or sitting out on the balcony. Hotel seems to be run for the convenience of the staff and not the comfort of the guests. Patronising waitress at lunchtime on the verandah. Having one menu is advertised as a good thing when in fact if staying a couple of days it means a lack of choice. Breakfast staff were freindly and attentive but scrambled eggs were watery and 'toast' was fried bread which was very greasy. We had booked to stsy fir a special occasion but were very disappointed overall. Would not recommend this hotel for a stay of more than one night.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
All good, hotel and room fantastic
Sunset
Sunset
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

carrie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean quiet and comfortable. Loved having a balcony and we enjoyed our meals at the restaurant. We love this area amd this hotel.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

julia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The mattress was pasr its use by date Not much support, saggy snd very soft
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

2/10 Terrible

denis

Disliked: Amenities
We had a cosy room which was stuffy but the windows could not be opened. When we complained it was dismissed and ignored.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025