Accom in NZ

[thegurio]

Hi all, MrsGurio and i have a anniversary coming up on valentines day and its up to me to organise it. I noticed that DJ has a sale to CHC for $250 return which is very tempting i must admit. What i want to know is, does anyone know of a slightly above average hotel to stay in, preferably with an in room spa or some other "luxury"!

I was looking at possibly CP or something similiar but would prefer not to pay $300 a night.. I was hoping for under $200 if possible.

Aside from that if it turns out to expensive i was thinking MEL but splurging on it instead as im saving $500 on airfares alone.

Im a member of most of the hotel programs so most things will be an option.

 

[docjames]

We stayed at the Rydges in Dec 06. It was fine, but hardly the height of luxury. It was, however, NZ$135 per night when everything else decent when we were there was pushing NZD $200..

It is in an excellent location however (just across from the Gardens, two minute walk to centre of CBD) so you'll be able to pretty much just wander around the city and parkland. There's a nice dinner strip next to the canal too (just outside the front door of the hotel!)

 

[thegurio]

I was also thinking that the Hotel Off The Square was looking good too and if i can get it through the Accor prgram then its eligible for the free night which will come in around budget too.

Any other options?

 

[mhen]

Haven't stayed at the Rydges but ate there in Sept, best meal I had in a week in New Zealand. Has good selection of local wines by the glass which let us try different wines with different courses. I am sure they would do something to make it an occasion if asked.

Christchurch was fun, went to the Court Theatre to see a play. Musical La Cage aux Folles is on there till 14 Feb. Punting on the river was very decadent (nice young man in boater and striped jacket did the punting while we lolled on cushions). The Christchurh Art Gallery is very good and free. Arts Centre had lots of interesting arty crafty shops.

But it all depends on what you like to do.

 

[straitman]

thegurio,

Remember the Priority Club sale on at the moment.

Also have a look at the HI City Centre in Christchurch. The Presidential Suite is $NZ296 pre paid or $NZ326 incl breakfast.

The suite is Huge (though a little outdated) and has a spa etc. Probably the best value I can see.

 

[tuapekastar]

thegurio,

I haven't stayed here, but noticed it one time whilst researching.

For something a little different you could check out Huntley House, a 'historic' place about halfway between CHC airport and city.

On wotif at the moment the rooms (excl. family suite) range from NZD155 to NZD245. All have "In room spa/jacuzzi".

However I'm guessing that Valentine's Day, being a Saturday and all that, may be a lot more expensive (and of course wotif being a last-minute site may not be representative of what price you get) - but cannot hurt to check it out.

 

[Leumas]

Can I suggest you rent a car and drive up to Hanmer Springs (about 60-90 mins north of CHC). It's a relaxing, rural, resort town, and probably more enjoyable than Christchurch.

 

[futaris]

I would second the recommendation for the HI City Centre. Good hotel and much better than the HI on Avon. I visited the Presidential Suite when boxo from Flyertalk managed to get a room there on points. Large and slightly outdated, but definitely best value for money.

 

[pauly7]

Hi all, MrsGurio and i have a anniversary coming up on valentines day and its up to me to organise it. I noticed that DJ has a sale to CHC for $250 return which is very tempting i must admit. What i want to know is, does anyone know of a slightly above average hotel to stay in, preferably with an in room spa or some other "luxury"!

I was looking at possibly CP or something similiar but would prefer not to pay $300 a night.. I was hoping for under $200 if possible.

Aside from that if it turns out to expensive i was thinking MEL but splurging on it instead as im saving $500 on airfares alone.

Im a member of most of the hotel programs so most things will be an option.

Thats a great fare...!

To save some more money you could think about getting Jetstar to do a price match - they will beat by 10% and you could use this to go towards food and entertainment on Jetstar (which u will have to shell out for on DJ) or to make your hotel a bit nicer

 

[Mal]

I've stayed in HI City Centre and Rydges in CHC. Some other places as well that I won't mention

Rydges is a centrally located hotel and is reasonable. They have an executive/business floor which I've stayed in once, but not really much better than the lower floors (and very limited benefits).

Like others have commented, it isn't luxurious, but is cheap, decent and is well located.

HI City Centre is also pretty dated. I stayed in a Junior Suite beside the Presidential Suite. The room was huge, but like others have said, was a little dated.

I'd probably lean towards the HI City Centre over Rydges.

 

[straitman]

I would second the recommendation for the HI City Centre. Good hotel and much better than the HI on Avon. I visited the Presidential Suite when boxo from Flyertalk managed to get a room there on points. Large and slightly outdated, but definitely best value for money.

We got the same deal as boxo which was the Presidential Suite for 5000 points.

Really good value at that price.

 

[thegurio]

Thanks for the responses guys... Lots of great ideas as usual

Pauly7 - there is no chance that I'd fly Plummet Airways by choice so whilst thanks for the input I'd sooner spend more money and not fly them!

As for the rest of you, I daintily skirted around the issue to MrsGurio and without actually mentioning anything asked her what she would rather do and she had the suggestion that instead of spending that money on a holiday that we spend it on our bathroom and finally finish it, to which I said "where's the fun in that!" but alas she did have a good point as the plan was to have it finished by July 07!

So once again thanks for the input and maybe I might use the advice a bit later on in the year

 

[Alanslegal]

If I may hijack this thread thegurio,

I am looking at accommodation in Auckland July 18-21.

What hotels are a good option?

The top 2 in Tripadvisor indicates the Westin then The Langham. The Westin wants to charge in excess of AU$400pn whereas TL will only want around $180pn.

 

[thegurio]

If I may hijack this thread thegurio

Knock yourself out... You may as well take the advice!

 

[Tavare]

While I love CHC, I think your initial idea of staying in Melbourne and splurging is a better idea. I took my wife to the Mansion down at Werribee because it has an incredible spa, as well as fine dining and beautiful grounds. It is part of the Sofitel group so you maybe can use your Accor card to save even more. They do have packages, and I found that was a better way of saving on the spa treatments, which were quite expensive (but my wife did say they were very good, so that is some compensation).

 

[Optics]

If I may hijack this thread thegurio,

I am looking at accommodation in Auckland July 18-21.

What hotels are a good option?

The top 2 in Tripadvisor indicates the Westin then The Langham. The Westin wants to charge in excess of AU$400pn whereas TL will only want around $180pn.

I have stayed in the Westin, and it really is very nice. Had a suite on the upper levels (work got a good deal not long after it opened). It is new, and well located, I would recommend it.

 

[anat0l]

If I may hijack this thread thegurio,

I am looking at accommodation in Auckland July 18-21.

What hotels are a good option?

The top 2 in Tripadvisor indicates the Westin then The Langham. The Westin wants to charge in excess of AU$400pn whereas TL will only want around $180pn.

It will depend on how well you want to stay.

My favourite so far in Auckland is the Hilton Auckland located at Princes Quay. Very nice, clean-cut hotel (in typical Hilton style) but a touch of flair to it; a good refreshing view of the harbour and nice ambience as long as there are no ships docked.

But of course that is asking for a premium, similar to staying at the Westin or Langham. In addition - funny enough - the Hilton doesn't fall within Trip Advisor's top ten (using the popularity scale); I'm guessing it must have something to do with the prices.

Within Trip Advisor's top ten, there are the Crowne Plaza and the Rendezvous. Both of those are good choices. The Rendezvous IMHO has a nicer feel about the room compared to the Crowne Plaza which can appear and feel a bit more sedated. However, the Crowne Plaza is right next to the Auckland SkyTower and closer to the city centre compared to the Rendezvous. Both should be selling at reasonable rates.