The Duke of Marlborough Hotel

4.5 star property

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Photo gallery for The Duke of Marlborough Hotel

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

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

View in a 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)
    ‪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
(8 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 Single Bed

Waterfront Apartment

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

Classic Room, Courtyard

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(8 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 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.

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. 549 out of 840 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 222 out of 840 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 48 out of 840 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 15 out of 840 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 6 out of 840 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

Mathew

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Danny

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
This is a classic hotel in a stand-out location. The dinner we had was very good and at a reasonable price. The room was comfortable and quiet and the bed very cozy. My only concern is the lack of seating available from the bar at peak times and there was a substantial queue at the bar. The staff though were always very friendly.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Marty

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Overall package was the best in Russel and we felt it was competitively priced.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sandy

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Its always comfortable and very central on the waterfront. Walking distance to shops, restaurants and ferry. A lovely historic place. Also the staff were very friendly and helpful
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

John

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Craig

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sylvia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Just perfect!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

jane

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Always love staying at The Duke . Being winter spent a bit more time in the hotel so booked a larger room with balcony . Very comfortable with the usual Duke high level of appointment
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lesley

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Lovely spacious room comfortable bed , very clean.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Terry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

10/10 Excellent

Dave

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Honest bicultural heritage on a daily basis. Celebrating the history even though it was revealingly disgusting behaviour by the colonists. It is great to reflect that, from such treacherous behaviour by the people from the invading territories, the indigenous people survived and their stories are now being told from a lived perspective. The Duke of Marlborough is a memorial to all that has happened, is rich in history and has an honest place in the present and the future. Great work team. I loved the daily newsletter which celebrates biculturalism.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Maree

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ron

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Duke of Marlborough oozes "old world charm" and has wonderful staff and excellent chefs. Our one disappointment was being charged a 15% surcharge on a Public Holiday for food and drinks - those staying at the Hotel should be excused this surcharge.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jo

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

Fabulous place

Fabulous accommodation in great location. Comfortable room with all the amenities
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Maraea

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I liked it all and I will be back in the future
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Francisco

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

10/10 Excellent

Jon

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

10/10 Excellent

Albertus

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
My guests enjoyed their stay
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

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