New Zealand Hotels

Other Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

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.

Kiwi House, Christchurch: Best value hostel in Christchurch

by ChristinaHegele

This Japanese-run hostel is the best value hostel in Christchurch, and I’ve been to a few. It is frequented by mostly Asian travellers and holders of working holiday visas, and offers both nightly, weekly and monthly stays/rates.

Location:
It is not in the four avenues area of Christchurch, but not far from it, meaning that you can easily walk into town in 15 minutes, and it’s a pleasant walk. If you have a car, I would recommend to stay here, as they have free secure (locked gate) parking in the courtyard. It really doesn’t get any better than this.

Hostel set-up and facilities:
The hostel is behind locked gates and can only be entered by ringing the bell from the pavement. This doesn’t mean it’s in a bad area – not at all. It just means that visitors cannot just enter the hostel like they could in so many other hostels in Christchurch, and this gives peace of mind to those that are staying a little longer at KiwiHouse.
There are two kitchens, which are well equipped and well organised but can get crowded. Nice homey feel though. There’s also a TV lounge, a garden, laundry facilities and clothes line and a garden, and free parking in the big parking lot in the courtyard. There are enough bathrooms, I never had to wait in line for a shower, and everything is very clean.

Rooms:
I stayed in a 6-bed dorm and an 8-bed dorm. Although the 6-bed dorm was tiny, space was still maximised in a way that you could stow away your belongings efficiently. Beds are bunks, and I found them slightly bigger and more stable than in other hostels. The 8-bed dorm had enough storage and space to feel comfy, good ventilation too.

Staff:
Staff were extremely kind and very helpful and accommodating.

Atmosphere:
Homey, friendly, Asian hospitality and guests, not a party hostel.

I can recommend the Big Kiwi House (there’s a small one too, which I have not stayed at and hence cannot comment on) to anyone seeking a clean, safe, convenient, quiet and cheap place to stay in Christchurch, especially if you stay for longer than just 2 nights.

Buscot Station Omarama: Excellent hostel in Mackenzie country, New Zealand

by ChristinaHegele

Buscot Station is a working sheep and cattle station, situated in Mackenzie country, close to Omarama. On arrival you can’t help but notice the beautiful roses and the huge, well-tended garden as you drive up to the homestead.
The main house is essentially the owner Tony’s home and holds more bathrooms and private rooms. He shares his lovely kitchen, dining room, living room and veranda with all travelers, providing guests with a home-stay experience, not just with a warm bed and shower.

Tony is really kind, attentive and friendly, and you will feel welcome and well cared for from the moment you enter his home. The charming living room is full of pictures, antiques, books and DVDs.
The dormitory is in a separate building, has 10 or so good quality, single beds all made up, and includes a small bathroom. The spacious room is clean, nicely decorated, and no two beds are the same. I am normally not a fan of big dorm rooms, but this one has such an eclectic and homey flair and is actually very pleasant to stay in.
If you want a truly personal experience out in the country, choose Tony’s place. He really loves what he does, taking care of his land and sharing his property, and has a genuine interest in his traveling guests. What results from that is great company and outstanding hospitality in beautiful surroundings.

Turtle Cove: Cozy, charming hostel in Whitianga

by Gypsygirl05

This hostel is reminiscent of a beach house. The dorm rooms are smaller than most, and I was there during a slow period so I got my own room. The kitchen/living area is really nice, and they have a pretty sizeable collection of movies for guests to watch at their leisure. They also have a great porch out back. It's close to downtown and the owners are very helpful; they gave me some good tips about which places to visit in the Coromandel.

Great location and atmosphere

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