Advice on Choosing Budget Accommodation in Niue
When looking for affordable accommodation in Niue, you need to consider the location, inclusions and, of course, the cost. We’ll guide you through what to look for when choosing budget accommodation in Niue in the article below.
Before we dive into how to choose the right budget accommodation for you, bookmark the Niue Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to Niue Cost? for its full budget overview or The Travel Guide to Niue on a Budget for more advice.
Quick Things You Need to Know About Staying in Budget Accommodation in Niue
- For entering Niue, you need to have your accommodation booked before you arrive – see The Best Way to Book Accommodation in Niue for advice
- You can save money by not hiring a car or only hiring a car for part of your holiday, in this case, you may want to stay close to Alofi so you can walk/cycle to shops and restaurants
- Guesthouses are your cheapest type of budget accommodation, while you can also find affordable self-contained units
- Look out for accommodations with airport transfers and/or bike hire included if you don’t have a car
- Note that almost all budget accommodation in Niue has self-catering facilities (except the Lialagi Units).
(c) Heleni Jessop's FatahegaTypes (and Cost) of Budget Accommodation in Niue
Niue’s budget accommodation comes in the form of guesthouses, holiday home guest houses and self-contained units. You will not find camping or backpacker hostel accommodation on the island.
Guesthouses
Guesthouses are homes that have separate private guests rooms with shared communal facilities. Some guest houses will have ensuite bathrooms, while most with have shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. This is the cheapest type of accommodation on the island, typically NZ$70-$110 per night. See the 7 Best Backpacker Accommodation in Niue for examples of this style of guest house.
Holiday Home Guesthouses
The term “guesthouse” is also used in Niue to describe some of the island’s more affordable holiday homes. These are typically one, two, three or four-bedroom houses with a kitchen, bathroom, lounge and dining area that can be hired out in its entirety. Budget holiday homes start from around NZ$150 per night. See the 10 Best Holiday Homes in Niue for examples.
Self-contained Units
Finally, there is a large range of self-contained units available in Niue, including budget ones. Units are typically laid out in a studio style, sleeping two to four people. They typically have self-catering facilities (with the exceptions of the Lialagi Units), as well as a bathroom, lounge and dining furniture. Some of Niue’s cheapest self-contained units are priced from NZ$80 a night. See some examples in the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodation in Niue.
(c) niuepocketguide.comLocation, How to Get There and What is Nearby?
A major consideration for travellers on a budget is where the accommodation is located. A good way to save money is to hire a car for just part of your stay or use cheaper methods, like walking and cycling, to get around. With that in mind, you probably want to choose an accommodation which is close to shops and services, as well as near things to do.
Where is the Budget Accommodation Located?
While most of Niue’s budget accommodation is conveniently located in the capital, Alofi, some are located in and between Niue’s small villages, such as Makefu, Lakepa and Avatele. All of the island’s budget accommodation is within close driving distance to pretty much everything. Learn more about the villages and where they are located in Understanding the Niue Villages.
How Do You Get to Your Accommodation?
If you’re not hiring a car straight from the airport, then you need to figure out how to get to your chosen accommodation, as there is only one taxi in Niue. Some budget accommodations offer free airport transfers, while others offer car rental (sometimes included in the nightly rate) which can be dropped off at the airport. As for getting around, consider accommodation which has complimentary bike hire.
What is There Nearby?
If you’re going to be without a car in Niue, then it’s a good idea to base yourself in or near Alofi in order to make use of restaurants and supermarkets. If that isn’t a concern of yours, then at least choose accommodation with something to do nearby, such as snorkelling or sea tracks to explore.
(c) PixabayWhat’s Included in Your Stay?
Any savvy budget traveller knows that choosing good budget accommodation isn’t just about finding the cheapest. Good value is often in the facilities and services included in your stay. Of course, everyone’s needs are different so take a look at the lists below to get an idea of what is typically included and what extra facilities to look out for or enquire about.
Typical Budget Accommodation Inclusions
- Kitchen facilities with stovetop, microwave, fridge, cooking pots, crockery and utensils, toaster and kettle
- Car parking
- Fans
- Hot water (usually solar-heated)
- Shared bathroom with a shower, sink and toilet
- Insect screened windows
- Gardens
Additional Services and Inclusions
- Additional kitchen facilities, such as an oven, tea and coffee, toastie grill, rice cooker, etc.
- Ensuite shower and toilet
- WiFi (either paid or included)
- Bicycle hire (either paid or included)
- Car rental (either paid or included)
- Airport transfers (either paid or included)
- Air conditioning
- Outside deck or verandah
- Toiletries
- Washing machine
- Iron
- Portacot
- In-room safes
- Fresh seasonal fruit
- In-house tours or cultural activities for guests.
More About Budget Accommodation in Niue
That’s it for how to pick the right budget accommodation in Niue. Now check out The 30 Best Accommodations in Niue so you can compare places to stay.
