Glacier Country Motel – Whataroa Accommodation, West Coast

Glacier Country Motel offers comfortable Whataroa accommodation in the heart of South Westland, surrounded by farmland and views towards the Southern Alps.

Conveniently located just off State Highway 6, the motel provides a quieter base for exploring Glacier Country, with Franz Josef Glacier around 20 minutes’ drive away and Hokitika approximately 1.5 hours to the north. Guests are also within walking distance of a café, store and petrol station in Whataroa.

With 10 freshly renovated units, including queen rooms, triple studios and two-bedroom accommodation, Glacier Country Motel caters for solo travellers, couples, families and small groups travelling the West Coast.

Why Stay at Glacier Country Motel?

• Comfortable Whataroa accommodation on the West Coast
• Around 20 minutes’ drive from Franz Josef Glacier
• 10 freshly renovated motel units
• Accommodation for solo travellers, couples, families and small groups
• Queen, triple and two-bedroom options
• Self-contained accommodation with full kitchens available
• Kitchenette facilities available in many units
• Private bathrooms
• Garden or mountain-view options
• Free on-site parking
• Heating and TVs
• Outdoor furniture and decks/balconies with selected rooms
• Travel cots available on request
• Easy access from State Highway 6
• Café, store and petrol station within walking distance
• Convenient base for exploring Glacier Country and South Westland

Whataroa Motel Rooms for Couples, Families & Groups

Glacier Country Motel offers a varied range of accommodation, allowing guests to choose a room that suits both the size of their travelling party and the way they like to travel.

Queen Rooms & Studios

Queen accommodation is well suited to solo travellers and couples. Options include garden and mountain views, private bathrooms and practical facilities such as a microwave, mini fridge, toaster, kettle and tea and coffee-making facilities.

For guests who prefer to prepare their own meals, the Self-Contained Queen Studio includes a full kitchen with an oven.

Triple Accommodation

Triple rooms and studios accommodate up to three guests with one queen and one single bed.

These provide a practical option for friends, small families and travellers wanting more flexibility than a standard double room.

Two-Bedroom & Family Accommodation

Travelling with family or friends? Two-bedroom options provide additional space and can accommodate groups of four, while the largest self-contained unit accommodates up to six guests with two queen beds and two singles.

The larger self-contained option also provides a full kitchen with open-plan living and dining, making it particularly convenient for longer stays and families travelling through the West Coast.

Self-Contained Accommodation Near Franz Josef Glacier

For travellers who want the flexibility to prepare their own meals, Glacier Country Motel offers self-contained accommodation with kitchen facilities.

The motel’s location in Whataroa provides an alternative to staying in busier Franz Josef, while still putting guests within an easy drive of the glacier township and its activities.

A Unique Piece of Whataroa History

Glacier Country Motel has an interesting story of its own.

The building was originally constructed in 1953 as a five-bedroom hospital serving the Whataroa community. It has since been extensively renovated and converted into motel accommodation while retaining elements of the original building.

Today, each room has its own character, combining the property’s history with the practical comforts needed by modern travellers.

Explore Glacier Country from Whataroa

Whataroa makes a convenient base for exploring some of the West Coast’s best-known landscapes and wildlife experiences.

Franz Josef Glacier is approximately 20 minutes away, while Fox Glacier is further south. Guests can also explore Okarito, Lake Wahapo, local walking tracks and the Whataroa River.

One of the area’s standout attractions is White Heron Sanctuary Tours, which takes visitors into the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve, home to New Zealand’s only breeding colony of kōtuku/white heron.

Explore our West Coast Travel Guide for more places to stay, things to do and travel inspiration across the region.

Book Direct with Glacier Country Motel

Enjoy a relaxed stay in Whataroa with comfortable renovated accommodation, mountain and garden views and easy access to the attractions of Glacier Country.

Whether you’re travelling the West Coast as a couple, family or small group, Glacier Country Motel provides a convenient base between Hokitika and the glacier region.

Support local and book direct with Glacier Country Motel.