New Zealand Hotels

Other Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Wilderness: Try a camper-van

by Bunsch

The original plan was that I would visit my brother (who is Auckland-based), and we'd maybe rent a car and see a bit of the area within easy driving distance of the city. But then my friend Jeanne decided to join us, and with the prospect of having to rent two rooms, the economics changed; we opted instead for a large camper-van from Wilderness, which was amongst the top-rated companies for equipment and customer satisfaction. You can pick up vans in Auckland or Christchurch although other outfitters also have units available in many smaller locations.

We found our unit worked very well for three adults, although it was advertised for two adults and two children. The beds were really comfortable. Cooking space was adequate (and the external grill was a wonderful extra). We quickly got into a routine which allowed everybody to co-exist despite the compact space. It was terrific to have the option to simply pull over if we were tired -- or if the view was superlative, or someone had just spotted a roadside stand with just-picked veggies and fruits on offer. We got into the habit of having a REALLY local wine with our local cheeses and pates as we'd relax towards evening, something encouraged by the clever folding table and comfortable chairs which could be set up in a jiffy so we could enjoy the breezes next to the water.

Despite the relatively high per diem, the fact that most of our camp "sites" were either DOC (with costs ranging as high as $6/night) or so-called "freedom camping" (allowed because we had a self-contained unit) brought our overall costs, including gas, within the range of what we'd have paid for decent hotel rooms -- but enabled us to see all sorts of places which would not have had hotel rooms readily available. And of course we saved a bundle by eating most of our meals "at home," even though we didn't stint on luxuries.

Wilderness provided a lot of support, particularly with itinerary-planning. I'm sure we couldn't have had as complete an experience had we not followed much of their advice.

Apple Tree Backpackers: Best Backpacker Hostel in New Zealand.

by peterfern

The best stay i had in my travels in New Zealand. The owners are warm, homely people. Has internet, a TV room, a sunny backyard, Lake facing rooms, modern kitchen, and lovely people! Highly recommend this hostel to any backpacker wanting to have a wonderful time.

The atmosphere! The people! The owners Marcello and April :)

Best Western Camelot Court now Camelot Motor Lodg: An Overnight Stay in this Hotel

by kharmencita

Best Western Camelot Court Motel now presently named Camelot Motor Lodge. The Hotel design and color is presently changed but the cone shaped roof form remained just like a Castle.

I have stayed once at Camelot Court and will continue to stay there whenever i go again to Christchurch. The Motel is located within walking distance to the city Center. Close to the church, museums and Malls. .

The Motel is very quiet although it is on the busy Papanui road. The owners are very friendly and helpful. The rooms are really big and well appointed and very comfortable, and the price very reasonable.

If you happened to visit Christchurch,this is defininitely the exact place to stay.

I selected this Hotel because it was not so expensive. A budget Hotel in the middle of the City. I wanted to make use of the day to visit the Center of the City. With this short acces to the center i was able to see different places in short period of time before my relatives picked me up the day after.

This Hotel is just 15 minutes drive from the Christchurch International Airport. A 15 minutes walk to the City Center and a 5 minutes drive to the Train Station.

Athena Motel: A rare find

by manja13

I actually stumbled upon this hotel. I did not make any prior booking. I guess i was lucky enough to get a room to accommodate 4 adults. The manager is very nice and accomodating.

I stayed in a two level style apartment. Beautiful apartment. It's like home away from home. The apt can accommodate 5 people. One bedroom in first floor with lounge with sofa sette and kitchen and bathroom . Internal stairs to mezzanine floor with super king size bed and single (or 3 singles). Each level has it's own TV. There's a WC on the second floor which is convenient. It's nice for family and group of 4-5 travellling together and yet have your own privacy as well.

It's 5 mins drive from the city centre. Across the road is a big shopping mall called the Westfield. There are some smaller fashion shops within walking distance from the motel.

I will definitely come back and stay here again.

nice hospitality.

Belle Mer Apartments/Hotel: “Very Disappointing”

by NZUStraveler

We went to Belle Mer with my two (2) sons and their three (3) wonderful and beautiful friends for what we had hoped would be an enjoyable and relaxing New Year’s break vacation for six (6) nights. I wish I could say that the Belle Mer was everything we had hoped for, it wasn’t.

In fact, the management’s attitude and behavior was unprofessional, rude, crass and just plain old horrifying. It really seemed as if they were operating under the presumption that these innocent young adults were radical in their thoughts and ideas, deeply troubled, reckless, dishonest and unworthy of even lodging in or about the Belle Mer even if for a short stay.

Knowing that we would be ringing in the new year with my beautiful children and their equally beautiful guests, some who happen to be South Pacific / Asian / Maori, I could only have expected that equality is a thing of the present while inequality is very much a thing of the past. Although this is only my opinion, my experience at the Belle Mer would strongly suggest that its management does not embrace nor share the very values and ideals of equality.

At first I thought I was just being an over protective Dad. However, the mere fact that my children and their friends expressed to me that they felt as if the cover of their book was being judged without reading nor appreciating the pages in between, confirmed for me that a philosophy and an attitude that has long since departed civilized society was still being embraced in some places in our world. I did not expect one of those places to be a place people look to for peace and tranquility I did not expect one of these places to be, possibly and according to my children and their friends, The Belle Mer.

I have always taught my children to accept others for who they are, not what they are, just as I have instilled in them the values of racial equality, generosity and simple, random acts of kindness onto unexpecting others. I have been fortunate to have dual citizenship, as do my children, in the United States and New Zealand. We have traveled the world, each time learning, understanding and embracing the beautiful mosaic of cultures that makes up our world. Keeping that in mind, I have stayed in hundreds of hotels around the world and have never, ever, experienced anything like what we experienced at the Belle Mer.

The view from our room was magnificent, however, for an establishment that rates itself as a luxury accommodation that lacks nothing, the quality of the apartment itself would suggest otherwise. The bedrooms are quite small; they have no dressers and the organizational amenity it offers for your clothing are metal racks located in the closets. The units offer two (2) bathrooms, one (1) common bathroom that is small and one (1) larger master bedroom bathroom, however, both are without ventilation and you are free to imagine the unpleasantness of this on your own, as I would rather not describe it nor relive it. The laundry is located just inside the common bathroom and the vents for the clothes dryer are vented directly into the room, making it impossible to dry anything, not to mention how uncomfortably humid this makes it. The living area lounge suites/couches are becoming worn and are threadbare. The dining table marred and marked by many water stains. Although I am not one to complain and although these things you would easily ignore for a low or moderately priced apartment, however, I certainly would never expect this type of lack with regards to accommodations for a unit in this price bracket.

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend the Belle Mer.

Shocking management behavior.

Microtel YHA Backpackers: Best Budget Backpacker

by Adriennemary

My Friend and I stayed two nights. Clean, tidy, room with good quality towels and linen. Kitchen and lounge also great. Very good to see heater in the room as it was cold when we stayed. The Manager was very helpful. I will come again!!!!!

Rydges Auckland: Good experience

by marmi138

Going in I had high expectations, and overall they were met. My room was on the 8th floor. The actual street that the hotel is on doesn't look that flash, but you are so close to Queen Street it doesn't matter, and safety wise, just use your normal city smarts and you should be fine, we were. We had good check in and check out experiences, and the vallet parking ($28) was very good. The twin room had obviously been refurbished, although it was begining to show scuff marks from where people knock the walls with their suitcases. I got a great rate online, and would be happy to return for a similarly good rate anytime.

For the record, if this review is familiar to anyone, I refered back to one I posted to another site soon after my January 2011 stay to make sure what I posted now accurately reflected my feelings at the time.

Spectacular view of the Sky Tower!

Scenic Hotels: visit New Zealand - think again

by witheren

I injured my leg whilst attempting to remove a large , awkward and heavy spa pool over .
This hotel refused to refund our one-night stay , declined to meet any of my $200.00 medical costs incurred on my arrival back in Australia , and then I am advised by a New Zealand lawyer , that under NZ law , one cannot commence a personal injury claim in NZ . It would appear that NZ business take full advantage of this shield and give the finger to any injured party as they will never be held financially responsible .
My injury has healed after three weeks , but I am concerned that visitors to NZ who like myself are injured cannot claim for compensation for obvious Negligence by NZ businesses , as as soon as you depart NZ , that's it no more care and concern and certainly no prospect of holding anyone responsible for clear breaches of safety , and it's your health or medical problem to fund .
It's a serious consideration when thinking of visiting New Zealand , as it is the only western country that I know of that legislates against visitors who injure themselves whilst in NZ .

The Scenic Franz Josef was a 60 year old dump and the hotel management reprehensible in their damming attitude to safety and responsibility .

quest on cintra: disappointed

by snufney

I was disappointed with our 2 day stay here. The room needs a total refurbishment at best. Or at least clean the marks off the walls, clean the skirting boards, vacum behind and under the furniture, and clean the shower properly. The veranda concrete also needs cleaning. The view was fantastic... on the 17th floor with morning sun which was lovely. The king size bed was appreciated but was too hard. The air conditioning in the bathroom didn't work so when I dried some clothes in the drier all the damp air had no where to go but into the rest of the apartment. Thats not healthy. The kettle needs replacing as it was badly stained inside. The wine glasses should be a matching set. The carpet has various marks on it. I rang and asked if free parkingwas available prior to our visit and was left with the impression that I had arranged this. Upon arriving I was told that the free parking was first in first serve but if you went out in your car then anybody else could take your park. This was not explained to me and would have influenced my decision as to my choice of accomodation. I would not stay here again.

Nomads: Be young or be square

by shake801

I have to admit i was a bit out of my element here. First of all, I'm American and this was my first experience staying at a hostel. It took my a while to get the social aspect of hostels. Once I flipped my mentality and met people I had a great time.

Second, I'm in my 30s and everyone else was in their 20s. I met some great people and drank myself silly, but I was a few years older than everyone. Great place to go if you're in your 20s.

I did make some really cool friends and had a nice time, there were people from all over the world. Just be prepared to party and for a younger crowd.

The actual rooms were quite nice. Everything seemed new and cleaner than I expected a hostel to be.

Good excursion organization. They really tried to get people to know each other through various activities and pub crawls, etc. There were also lots of computers for internet access. The location is great too. Although in Queenstown, it's hard to go wrong.

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