Newcastle is a coastal city in New South Wales, Australia that is known for its beautiful beaches, surf culture, and vibrant food scene. As the second largest city in the state, Newcastle offers visitors a mix of urban attractions as well as nature and seaside activities.

With its growing tourism industry, Newcastle has a wide range of accommodation options to suit different travel styles and budgets. From 5-star luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels and motels, there are many great places for travelers to rest their heads at night.

To help you find the perfect hotel for your next Newcastle vacation, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 best hotels in Newcastle based on location, amenities, reviews and ratings.

1. Crowne Plaza Newcastle

Location: Wharf Road, Newcastle, near Queens Wharf and the Harbor

The Crowne Plaza Newcastle is considered one of the top luxury hotels in the city. Located right on Newcastle Harbour, it offers beautiful waterfront views and is within walking distance to downtown attractions.

This 5-star hotel features a state-of-the-art fitness center, heated indoor swimming pool, day spa, and on-site restaurant and bar. The modern rooms come with floor-to-ceiling windows, Nespresso coffee machines, and marble bathrooms.

With its prime location and extensive amenities, the Crowne Plaza Newcastle is perfect for both business and leisure travelers. It has a TripAdvisor rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Price Range: Rooms start at $180/night

2. Novotel Newcastle Beach

Location: 5 King Street, Newcastle Beach

The Novotel Newcastle Beach enjoys an unbeatable beachfront location right across from Newcastle Beach. The hotel is stylish and modern with excellent facilities.

Guests can enjoy the outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, bar, and restaurant. The contemporary rooms feature balconies with ocean views. It’s only a short walk to the beach, cafes, and shops.

This 4.5-star hotel is great for those looking for a beach vacation or weekend escape. It has a TripAdvisor rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Price Range: Rooms start at $150/night

3. The Lucky Hotel

Location: 237 Wharf Road, Newcastle

For boutique accommodations, The Lucky Hotel is one of the top choices in Newcastle. This 4-star hotel has an art deco design with vibrant interiors.

Located in the trendy Honeysuckle Precinct, The Lucky Hotel puts you close to restaurants and nightlife. It has an on-site restaurant, bar, and 24-hour fitness center.

The rooms feature eclectic designs with bright colors and patterns. There are also suites with harbor views and kitchenettes. With its stylish ambiance and great location, The Lucky Hotel is perfect for leisure travelers. It has a TripAdvisor rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Price Range: Rooms start at $140/night

4. Mercure Newcastle Airport

Location: Stephenson Road, Williamtown

The Mercure Newcastle Airport is the closest hotel to Newcastle Airport, located right across the street. This makes it the most convenient lodging option for those with early flights or late arrivals.

This modern 4-star hotel has an on-site restaurant and bar, fitness center, heated outdoor pool, guest laundry, and free airport shuttle. The comfortable rooms come equipped with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and tea/coffee making facilities.

With its proximity to the airport and range of useful amenities, the Mercure Newcastle Airport is great for business trips or brief layovers. It has a TripAdvisor rating of 4 out of 5.

Price Range: Rooms start at $130/night

5. Surf House Backpackers

Location: 7-9 Nelson Street, Newcastle East

For budget-minded travelers, Surf House Backpackers is one of the highest rated hostels in Newcastle. Located in Newcastle East near Nobby’s Beach, it puts you close to the ocean and city sights.

This is a modern and stylish hostel with unique surf-themed decor. It offers both dorms and private rooms with access to shared bathrooms and kitchen. There’s also a communal lounge, bar, barbecue area, and free surfboard rental.

With its relaxed social atmosphere and affordable rates, Surf House is ideal for backpackers, solo travelers, and groups. It has a TripAdvisor rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Price Range: Dorm beds from $20/night, doubles from $60/night

6. Newcastle Beach YHA Hostel

Location: 30 Pacific Street, Newcastle Beach

Situated across from Newcastle Beach, this YHA hostel enjoys an unbeatable location. The hostel is clean, comfortable, and offers great facilities.

Guests can choose from dorms, private rooms, and family rooms. Onsite amenities include a communal kitchen, TV lounge, barbecue area, laundry, and tour desk. There are also surfboard and bike rentals available.

With the beach at your doorstep along with bars, cafes, and shops nearby, the Newcastle Beach YHA Hostel is ideal for backpackers and budget travelers. It has a TripAdvisor rating of 4 out of 5.

Price Range: Dorm beds from $20/night, doubles from $65/night

7. Quest Newcastle

Location: 470 King Street, Newcastle West

Quest Newcastle offers modern apartment-style accommodations perfect for longer stays. Located in the Newcastle West area, it provides easy access to the CBD, beaches, hospital, and university.

These 4-star serviced apartments come with fully-equipped kitchens, living areas, and laundry facilities. Each apartment also has a private balcony. Onsite amenities include a fitness center, business center, and guest laundry.

With its spacious apartments and convenient location, Quest Newcastle is great for business travelers, families, and medical stays. It has a TripAdvisor rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Price Range: Apartments start at $140/night

8. Travelodge Newcastle Jesmond

Location: 2-4 Regent Street, Jesmond

Travelodge Newcastle Jesmond is a mid-range hotel offering comfortable accommodations at affordable rates. Located in the suburb of Jesmond, it’s only 5km from Newcastle’s city center and beaches.

This hotel features an on-site restaurant, outdoor pool, and guest laundry facilities. The modern rooms come equipped with free Wi-Fi, TVs, mini-fridges, and tea/coffee makers.

With its reasonable prices and proximity to Newcastle attractions, the Travelodge Jesmond is a solid choice for budget-conscious travelers. It has a TripAdvisor rating of 4 out of 5.

Price Range: Rooms start at $100/night

9. The Gateway Inn

Location: 10 Gateway Boulevard, Tomago

Situated in Tomago just north of Newcastle, The Gateway Inn offers comfortable lodging with a peaceful countryside setting. It’s only a 10-minute drive from Newcastle Airport.

This motel-style accommodation features an outdoor pool and barbecue area amidst landscaped gardens. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi and free parking.

The rooms come equipped with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and tea/coffee making facilities. There are also family rooms and suites available.

For an affordable and relaxed hotel near the airport, The Gateway Inn is a great choice. It has a TripAdvisor rating of 4 out of 5.

Price Range: Rooms start at $80/night

10. Honeysuckle Executive Apartments

Location: 501A Hunter Street, Newcastle West

These self-contained apartments are located right in the popular Honeysuckle dining precinct along the Newcastle harbor. They offer stylish accommodations with waterfront views.

The apartments feature full kitchens, living areas with flat-screen TVs, and laundry facilities. Building amenities include a fitness center, business center, and guest lounge.

Situated in a trendy location close to restaurants and shops, Honeysuckle Executive Apartments are ideal for long-term stays. They have a TripAdvisor rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Price Range: Apartments start at $120/night

What Makes These the Best Hotels in Newcastle?

Newcastle is home to a diverse range of hotels catering to different travelers and budgets. When choosing the top 10 best hotels in Newcastle, we looked at certain criteria to ensure they offer a great overall stay:

Location – All hotels are conveniently located near key attractions, beaches, the airport, or city center. Proximity to popular sites is essential.

Amenities – The best hotels provide amenities like pools, fitness centers, restaurants, bars, room service, and more to enhance your stay.

Reviews – Hotels on this list have excellent reviews and ratings on trusted sites like TripAdvisor. High guest satisfaction is key.

Service – These hotels offer friendly, professional service to give you the best possible experience. Good hospitality is a must.

Value – While some hotels are luxurious, others offer great value for money. We chose options across different price points.

Quality – All hotels feature clean, comfortable, and well-appointed accommodations. The quality of rooms is important.

Atmosphere – From sleek and modern to cozy and relaxed, these hotels have great ambiance.

By excelling across all these factors, the hotels featured here have earned their place as Newcastle’s top accommodations.

Features That Make a Hotel Stand Out in Newcastle

Newcastle’s hotel scene includes major chains as well as independent boutique hotels. For a hotel to truly stand out, it needs to provide exceptional features and facilities. Here are some of the offerings that give a Newcastle hotel an edge over the competition:

Harbor Views

Having rooms with views overlooking Newcastle’s scenic working harbor gives a hotel significant appeal. Guests love waking up to sights of historic coal ships and modern yachts on the water.

Hotels like Crowne Plaza Newcastle and Honeysuckle Executive Apartments win points for their prime waterfront locations. Many rooms have private balconies where you can relax and enjoy the views.

Rooftop Pools and Bars

A rooftop pool and bar lounge provides the ultimate way to experience Newcastle’s sunny climate and harbor panoramas. Having a place to soak up the views and vistas day or night is a major draw.

The Crowne Plaza Newcastle and Novotel Newcastle Beach both feature popular rooftop pools. Guests can swim with uninterrupted views of city sights and the ocean.

In-House Restaurants

On-site restaurants that offer fine dining or casual fare are a big perk for hotel guests. Having excellent food and drinks on the premises enhances the stay.

Standout dining options can be found at hotels like the Lucky Hotel, Crowne Plaza, and Mercure Newcastle Airport. Their restaurants give locals a reason to visit too.

Day Spas

For ultimate relaxation, a luxurious day spa hits the spot. Spa treatments like massages, facials, and body wraps make for a rejuvenating hotel experience.

Among Newcastle hotels, the Crowne Plaza Newcastle and Novotel Newcastle Beach have tranquil day spas on-site. Guests can indulge in massage and beauty services.

Surf Culture Vibe

Newcastle is Australia’s premier surf city, so hotels that embrace this coastal culture offer something special. Surf-themed design and amenities tailored for surfers give a unique sense of place.

Boutique hotels like The Lucky Hotel and hostels like Surf House Backpackers feature stylish surf decor. Providing surfboard rentals and beach access also adds to the surf vibe.

Average Hotel Rates in Newcastle

Hotel prices in Newcastle can vary widely depending on the time of year, location, size of room, and hotel class. Here is an overview of average hotel rates:

• Budget/Backpacker Hostels – $20-$35/night for dorm bed, $60-$90 for standard private room
• 3-Star Hotels – $100-$130/night for standard double room
• 4-Star Hotels – $130-$180/night for standard double room
• 5-Star Hotels – $180-$350+ per night for standard double room

Hotel prices are generally highest during the peak summer tourist season from December to February when demand is very high. The lowest rates can be found during the fall and winter months.

Location also affects hotel pricing. Rooms in the city center and beachfront tend to be more expensive than those further from main attractions. Larger rooms with extra beds usually cost more too.

Booking online in advance or looking for special deals and packages can help you find discounted room rates. Avoiding excessively high seasons is another way to save.

Where to Stay in Newcastle for Different Types of Travelers

With its diversity of hotels, Newcastle offers great accommodation options for all types of travelers. Here are some recommendations for where to stay based on your reason for visiting:

Families

Best Areas: Newcastle East, The Hill

For families, proximity to kid-friendly activities is key. Newcastle East and The Hill put you near beaches, parks, the maritime museum, and other attractions to keep children occupied.