New Zealand - hotel and motel recommendations

By Mark Sukhija

I've done a few trips to New Zealand during the course of which I've stayed in some great places, some good places and some utter dives which I couldn't possibly recommend.

Please mention MarksTravelNotes.com when contacting these fine establishments. I have stayed at all these hotels.

North Island recommendations

1. Whitehouse Homestay Bed and Breakfast (14 Woodford Heights, Havelock North, New Zealand) - Karin and Doug, who own and run the Whitehouse Homestay Bed and Breakfast , are excellent, hospitable hosts with a deep knowledge of the local region. Rooms are spacious, comfortable and well maintained. Views from the property, which is on a hillside, give an excellent view of sunsets over the Plains. Karins breakfasts are second to none. A spa is avalaible for guests to use - as is the lounge in this fine property. Faultless.

2. Sky City Grand Hotel (90 Federal Street, Auckland) - In terms of comfortable, spacious rooms the Sky City Grand Hotel is hard to beat. Actually, I'm pretty sure they're the largest double rooms I've ever stayed in - I've stayed in smaller suites in Europe! Location is difficult, if not impossible, to beat being directly opposite Sky Tower , close to the CBD and K-Road. Reception and concierge have been excellent and hospitable on repeated visits. Faultless, really.

South Island recommendations

1. The Classic Villa (17 Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch) - The Classic Villa is one of the best hotels I've ever stayed in. Comfortable and centrally located, The Classic Villa is one of the best hotels I've ever stayed in. Rooms were comfortable - and beds provided a great sleep. The Classic Villa is centrally located directly opposite the Christchurch Arts Centre and Cultural Precinct. Breakfast is around a large communal table which, combined with an enjoyable spread, is a great place to meet other visitors to New Zealand .

2. Kingsgate Hotel Brydone (115 Thames Street, Oamaru) - Centrally located in Oamarus CBD and a short walk from the historic old town, the 100-year-old building has made a great conversion into a hotel. The breakfast room, with an anjoyable brekkie, is bright, spacious and retains many features original to the building.

3. Caples Court Motel (20 Stanley Street, Queenstown) - a 10-minute walk or a short drive to central Queenstown (nightmarish parking), Caples Court Motel is well located and accessible. Comfortable and spacious units, some with views over the Lake Wakatipu and mountains with very helpful front desk theres nothing to fault with Caples Court Motel - to my mind at least.

Other places I've stayed - caveat emptor

1. Mercure Auckland (8 Customs Street, 1001 Auckland) - I've only stayed at the Mercure Auckland once. Location was excellent - being a meters from Queen Street and very close to the ferry building and the airport shuttle bus. The restaurant and bar were undergoing renovations when I visited - an adequate job had been done of replicating the "Vertigo Restaurant" on the lower levels. While reception and conference areas appeared to have been renovated, the accomodation levels were still in need of an overhall. Reception staff were competent if uninspiring. (22nd July 2010)

2. Leviathan Hotel (27 Queens Gardens, 9054 Dunedin) - Stayed in the Leviathan Hotel twice (Nov 2007 and Aug 2010). Great location and pick-up / drop-off point for many wildlife and other tours. Rooms spacious but bathrooms need modernisation. Bar keeps irregular hours according to customers.

3. Breeze Motel (125 Tainui St, Greymouth) - wouldn't stay again without a change of management. Unplugged fridge with three-cartons of off-milk sealed an otherwise incompetent stay in a poorly maintained property. (15th November 2007)

4. The County Hotel (12 Browning Street, Napier, New Zealand) - Asserting itself as Hawkes Bay only 5-star hotel The County Hotel really shouldn't be on a caveat emptor list of any kind. But it is on this one. On my last stay during off season, I discovered that the restaurant and bar was only open on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights during the off-season. Unacceptable for a 5-star hotel - esp as they purport that reservations are essential. Otherwise, the hotel was excellent with its own library and some courtesy ports to enjoy as you read. Rooms were excellent and comfortable, decorated in the appropriate style and all named for native birdlife. Otherwise, reception was decent. While the continental breakfast was limited, the cooked was worthy. Free wifi is available. (July 2010)

5. Scenic Circle Te Panier (45 Marine Parade, Napier, New Zealand) - Standardised, santised chain hotel with chaotic breakfast service on my solitary stay. Returned to the Bay twice since and haven't returned. OK for the price but not outstanding. Paid wifi is far, far too expensive. (December 2009)