The Duke Of Marlborough

Hotels
8.9 (2055 reviews)
35 The Strand , Russell , nz

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Electric bicycle charging station
Fitness facilities (surcharge)
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Restaurant
Terrace
Lift / Elevator
Fax/photocopying
Tour desk
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great location
Well-equipped rooms
Friendly staff
Nice amenities
Cons:
Inconsistent service
Average food quality
Some rooms tired

Categories

Cleanliness
8.9
Rooms were noted as clean, but some were described as 'a little tired'.
Service
9.16
While some staff were mentioned positively, there were instances of poor service at reception.
Location
9.6
Multiple reviews emphasize the fantastic location with stunning views.
Room Quality
8.86
Rooms were well equipped and comfortable, with some mentioning a desire for better room features.
Amenities
8.89
Amenities such as a gym and parking were appreciated, but specifics on others were not provided.
Value for Money
8.35
Some reviews indicated pricing may not match the food quality.
Food and Beverage
8.2
Food quality received mixed reviews, with some meals considered average.
Overall Experience
9.26
A range of positive experiences were shared, highlighting a fondness for the hotel despite some minor issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-07 15:11

Property Description

Waterfront 19th-Century Charm:
Experience the enchanting Duke Hotel, a historic gem perched on the waterfront of the Bay of Islands. Revel in its elegant guest lounge, restaurant, and garden bar, alongside a convenient gymnasium.

Modern Comfort with Bay Views:
Indulge in rooms adorned with modern decor and a touch of tradition. Each room boasts a refrigerator, satellite TV, and for some lucky guests, a private balcony with breathtaking bay views.

Culinary Delights and Local Wines:
Savor New Zealand's finest at The Duke of Marlborough's restaurant, specializing in locally sourced seafood. Wash down the flavors with a selection of regional wines at the scenic House Bar by the water.

Book now to immerse yourself in history and luxury at The Duke of Marlborough - your gateway to Russell's treasures.

Important information:

Guests planning to arrive outside regular front desk hours are requested to inform the hotel in advance. Contact details can be found in the booking confirmation.Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Airport code: KKE

Property Policies

  • Groups

    When booking more than 4 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible at a location nearby (reservation is not needed).

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 17 years old stay for NZD 35 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    Children up to and including 11 years old stay for free when using an available extra bed.
    Children from 12 years old to 16 years old stay for NZD 50 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.9
Based on 2055 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.9
Service: 9.16
Location: 9.6
Room Quality: 8.86
Amenities: 8.89
Value for Money: 8.35
Food and Beverage: 8.2
Overall Experience: 9.26
C
CHRISTOPHER • couple • au
10
Fabulous!
Pros:

Facities; location; atmosphere; courteous, helpful, friendly staff.

Cons:

Nothing it was perfect!

2026-02-14 • via Nuitee
A
Anne-Marine • couple • fr
8
A charming hotel in a perfect location
Pros:

Perfectly situated in front of the ocean and near the jetty, it is very convenient for catching the boat to the islands. The building itself has a real vintage charm. Its interior design is surprising, and may seem too ostentatious, but I liked it. The room was small but cozy. It was clean, tidy and quiet. The parking area at the back was a real plus.

Cons:

Based on previous comments, I was expecting a delicious breakfast and was very disappointed. So I didn't try the dinner.

2026-02-14 • via Nuitee
S
Sylvie • couple • fr
8
Pros:

Bel emplacement

2026-02-14 • via Nuitee
W
Wendy • couple • au
5
Not very comfortable or welcoming
Pros:

Great location

Cons:

The room was a bit shabby and in need of a touch up. The extraction flues were incredibly noisy and went all night.

2026-02-14 • via Nuitee
F
Farzad • solo_traveller • nz
9
2026-02-13 • via Nuitee
J
Jim • couple • au
9
Beautiful Hotel in such a lovely place
Pros:

Cleanliness staff & location

Cons:

Nothing really

2026-02-12 • via Nuitee
J
Jacqueline • couple • nz
10
Pros:

The atmosphere. The feel. The vibe.

2026-02-12 • via Nuitee
D
Damian • couple • au
8
2026-02-12 • via Nuitee
H
Harry • extended_group • nz
10
2026-02-11 • via Nuitee
J
Johannes • couple • at
9
2026-02-11 • via Nuitee
J
Josephine • couple • nz
8
Pros:

Room was good

Cons:

Dinner was ok but for the price Haupka was average.

2026-02-11 • via Nuitee
B
Benedicte • couple • gb
10
2026-02-09 • via Nuitee
J
Jan • couple • de
10
Wunderschöner Sonnenuntergang und tolles Essen.
Pros:

Tolle Lage, vorallem das Restaurant.

2026-02-09 • via Nuitee
J
Joanne • couple • nz
10
Pros:

Location, bed, restaurant

Cons:

Nothing

2026-02-08 • via Nuitee
M
Maria • couple • nl
9
2026-02-08 • via Nuitee
P
Peggy • couple • au
8
Lovely historic place to stay in Russell
Pros:

Very large spacious room. The outside sitting area was well protected from winds and a lovely place to enjoy a glass of wine.

Cons:

The combo bathtub/shower was not very safe or well suited for more 'elderly' people

2026-01-31 • via Nuitee
V
Victoria • family_with_children • nz
9
2026-01-31 • via Nuitee
S
susan • couple • gb
5
Surprisingly disappointed, amongst all the hype and razzmatazz
Pros:

Location, pretty central. Room , a bit dated, could do a lot to improve and update , to sell it as a chic boutique.
It has character , but it came across as a 1 trick pony. It needs sparkle.
Breakfast , nothing special . Not sure what is target audience was. Just another full English with a few twists.

Cons:

The shower curtain in room 114 . It looked like someone had run out of material. It stretched to covet 50 % of the shower , so water soaked the flower.
One of your reception staff, who checked us in, handed us a small unopened carton of full fat milk to accommodate the tea and coffee room facility , as though we were at school.
We only drink skimmed milk, but not given the option to choose. Having visited most of the coffee shop , the choice seems to be available at all those establishments.
That was the least of our worries, for it seems , booking.com’s website was compromised by a hacker, who sent us an email on the 23rd , demanding immediate payment of 328 USD or our booking with the Duke of Marlborough would be cancelled , when in fact we had already made payment on another card. Just by coincidence, we had just got the news our 102 year old relative in England , has passed away. The time in NZ 10.30pm, which was followed by 2 hours of loud of disco music.

We we challenged reception by phone to question this , their answer was oh yes, that’s booking.com and now we’ve changed all our passwords.

Fortunately the second card we used froze the transaction process in time , to avoid any loss.

This was our second long visit to New Zealand , and staying at the Duke of Marlborough was to be one of the highlights , which to be fair, was somewhat a let down .

2026-01-30 • via Nuitee
A
amber • family_with_children • nz
10
Pros:

Loved the character, settings, rooms

Cons:

Everything fab but food wasn't perfect for those
f our party with dietary requirements

2026-01-29 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • couple • au
9
Great location in an exquisite location
Pros:

Great location right on waterfront

Cons:

Coffee machine in room

2026-01-29 • via Nuitee