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New Zealand offers an impressive choice of excellent accommodation, from luxury lodges to backpackers. To search for accommodation providers in New Zealand, use the Industry Guidebook.
Qualmark
Qualmark New Zealand Limited is New Zealand tourism's official quality assurance agency. Properties displaying the yellow and black Qualmark logo are visited annually and undergo rigorous assessments by business experts. They are checked out in everything they do, including how they look after the environment, which means it will be an experience that won’t disappoint.
Qualmark also provide recognition for top performing accommodation providers on their environmental performance. This is in the form of the Enviro logos. Look for properties displaying the green and black Enviro bronze, silver or gold logos.
When you see the Qualmark logo it means that you can book with confidence - whether it is a luxury lodge hotel or a budget backpacker, Qualmark identifies quality assured accommodation suitable for any traveller. You can find out more about Qualmark at www.qualmark.co.nz
The following is a list of types of accommodation styles and a description of the facilities they provide:
Luxury Lodges
Exclusive retreats and sporting lodges are a New Zealand forte. These superb hideaways are located in some of the most dramatic, beautiful and tranquil locations imaginable - in mountains or forests, beside lakes, oceans, or adjacent to a thermal wonderland. They are the perfect places to unwind from the stress of everyday life.
Each lodge has its own character and charm. Many are renowned for their superb cuisine and ambience, and offer exceptional service, facilities and professional guides for the activities of the area. Most offer dinner which is usually included in the tariff.
Most lodges offer fishing and golfing, while those on the coast cater for a wide range of water-based activities. Some inland lodges offer horse trekking, hiking, rafting, four-wheel drive excursions or skiing in season.
For more information, visit:
www.lodgesofnz.co.nz
www.friars.co.nz
Hotels
New Zealand has a huge selection of superb hotels in most cities and resorts
International chain hotels such as Hyatt, Langham, Intercontinental, Millennium, Hilton, The Heritage, Ascott and Copthorne Hotels and Resorts are found in the main centres and resort towns.
Apartments
Apartment style hotel rooms, suites and hotel villas are available for longer stays. They come fully equipped with kitchen, laundry and other household facilities - serviced daily as required. Many have access to pools, gardens and fitness centres.
Motel Accommodation
Units are serviced daily and are self-contained providing at least tea and coffee making facilities and a private bath or ensuite bathroom. Frequently, cooking facilities (microwave and/or hob/cooktop) are provided within the unit so guests can prepare their own meals.
Motels have been the New Zealand way of holidaying for years. Clean cosy units usually contain one or two bedrooms, lounge, bathroom and a fully-equipped kitchen. Larger motels have swimming pools, spas, laundry facilities and restaurants and bars.
For more information, visit:
www.aaguides.co.nz
www.jasons.com
www.nzmotels.co.nz
Rental Properties
If visitors plan to base themselves in one part of New Zealand for a number of months, they may wish to rent a house or apartment. The classified sections of New Zealand newspapers include rental property listings.
For more information, visit:
www.holidayhomes.co.nz
www.bookabach.co.nz
Guest Houses and Boutique Hotels
These are moderately priced and include guest houses, small private or boutique hotels and 'Bed & Breakfasts'. Many are located in comfortable, beautifully restored older buildings and range in number of rooms from one or two through to a dozen or more. These places have the personal touch provided by their owners and a friendly atmosphere.
For more information, visit:
www.bnb.co.nz
www.jasons.com
www.lodgings.co.nz
www.heritageinns.co.nz
www.nzbnbhotels.com
Farm and Home Stays
Farm and home stays are an ideal way of getting to know real New Zealanders, and they can truly enrich visitors' travel experiences. Visitors get a taste of life in a typical New Zealand home, rural or urban, and share home-cooked meals with hosts who are genuinely friendly and hospitable.
Farms which are part of the Willing Workers on Organic Farms (WWOOF) movement offer free accommodation in return for unwaged farm work.
For more information, visit:
www.nzaccom.co.nz
www.wwoof.co.nz
Youth Hostels
Part of the International YHA network, YHA New Zealand has over 50 properties throughout the country. Visitors can relax - no duties, no curfews and 24-hour access for guests at each hostel. YHA New Zealand produces passes with hostel and transport options for travellers. These must be purchased prior to arrival to New Zealand.
For more information, visit:
Backpacker Hostels
Numerous hostels throughout the country offer cheaper accommodation, mainly dormitory style, for budget travellers. Most are independently owned and operated so there is no central reservation facility.
For free and independent travellers on a budget, New Zealand's extensive network of hostels are great value - above average in quality, clean and well situated around the country. Accommodation can consist of cabins, small hotels, bunkrooms and hostels. Beds are often in shared rooms, although double and single type accommodation is also available. Bedding can be provided at a nominal charge. These places are excellent for meeting people and gathering information about local attractions and tips on further travel around New Zealand.
For more information, visit the backpacker network page on this website.
Holiday Parks and Camping Grounds
New Zealand camping grounds/holiday parks range from the sophisticated, offering a complete range of facilities near major cities, towns or resorts, through to very basic camps in remote areas.
Most camping grounds offer tent site and both non-powered and powered motor home sites, sometimes water and waste hook-ups, cabins of varying standards and on site caravans. Generally grounds are well kept with reception, communal kitchens and shower and laundry facilities being offered. Some may offer additional facilities such as a camp store, pool, spa pool, TV or games lounge, car wash, barbeque, boat hire or dial-a-meal services.
For more information, visit:
www.aaguides.co.nz
www.holidayparks.co.nz
www.jasons.com
www.doc.govt.nz
Accommodation Passes
Many chains offer accommodation passes, often using a voucher system, which can be pre-sold in the travellers home country and which can offer good savings.
Visitors can book the accommodation before they leave, use the book ahead services at one hotel to book the next night once in New Zealand, or just make it up as they travel along (depending on availability).
Kingsgate, Copthorne and Millennium Hotels (Millennium Hotels and Resorts). www.MillenniumHotels.co.nz
- Kingsgate - New Zealand’s largest three star group
- Copthorne - positioned between Quality and Millennium - 3.5 - 4 star
- Millennium - international range of properties in Christchurch, Queenstown and Rotorua - 4 star deluxe
Mainstay www.mainstay.co.nz
- A network of independently owned and operated hotels and apartments throughout New Zealand
- Operates the "Go Kiwi" hotel pass with four categories of accommodation - Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum
- Choice of 3 to 5 star accommodation
Scenic Hotels www.scenichotelgroup.co.nz
- 3-4 star accommodation with three levels of accommodation - standard, superior and premium
Best Western www.bestwestern.co.nz
- Select from motel units, in most cases providing full kitchen facilities, or Motor Inns with house bars, restaurant and tea/coffee facilities
- Three categories to choose from - blue, yellow and red passes
Golden Chain www.goldenchain.co.nz
- Golden Chain provides affordable quality motel accommodation with a distinctly New Zealand style
- Conveniently located throughout the country, Golden Chain motels are mainly owner-operated and most are equipped with kitchen facilities
