Some NZ hotels of the past week...

[munitalP]

Mr! & Mrs! have just completed a week in NZ where we sampled a few hotels never stayed in before. A brief on each... (note our rating is out of 10 - the only hotel to ever score a 10 in my expectation was the Westin Innisbrooke - Tampa).

I set an under $200 per night for my budget, Quest got chosen over a super Hilton deal due to being V close to the Casino, and the GC because of proximity to the Airport and having a restaurant open late and my need to be at the airport early. 2003 Grange - $490 at AKL airport (I had to indulge), a good buy!!

Quest Apartments - Nelson St, Auckland - 1 night

Mr! rating ****
Mrs! rating ****

Comments

Noisy, old and outdated furnishings, bed was too small and had lumps (yes rearly), decore 1990's, view - harbour bridge and other buildings. No room safe, TV little and not tuned into the pay TV channels correctly. Shower sucked. 5 minute walk to the AKL Casino

Cost

$154.75 NZD per night + $15.00 NZD parking per day

Booked through

Qantas Holidays

Stay Again?

No - never in a million years

Novotel - Hamilton - 2 nights

Mr! rating ******
Mrs! rating *******

Comments

Typical Novotel, front counter service better than ever experienced at a Novotel anywhere in the world, first room given, huge opening out onto level 1 courtyard however, a smoking room, changed to a level 4 room with same outlook. Bed VG, good size flat screen, room safe, well stocked bar. Breakfast excellent with good staff and egg station. Overall, good service and walking distance to the Casino - darn that cost me some $$ as well!

Cost

$195.75 NZD (including breakfast for 2) + $15.00 NZD Parking (including valet service)

Booked through

Walk up

Stay Again?

Yes

Hotel Grand Chancellor - Auckland (Airport) 1 night

Mr! rating **
Mrs! rating ***

Comments

This hotel has seen better days. 2nd level room, large but worn out. Couldn't find an elevator, had to lug Mrs! case up the stairs (hmmmm). Additional costs for every service in the hotel, bar decore 1980's, restaurant ultra expensive. Front staff (all one of her), English a second language (assumed Indian being the first). Free parking if drinking at the bar - I had to laugh. Bed - OK. Shower very hot , luke warm or cold.


Cost

$144.75 NZD + $5.00 NZD Parking each entry and exit

Booked through

Qantas Holidays

Stay Again?

No - the Quest would be booked before this hotel

The other nights were at family or friends.

 

[serfty]

Stayed at the Novotel Hamilton myself some years ago and was very impressed.

(Back in the days when Adv+ gave a 10% discount on Hot Deals)

 

[straitman]

munitalP,

I have to agree with your rating of the GC. I stayed once in March and never again. I ended up being charged for two rooms and had to fight to get the second refunded. (It was actually a QF holidays issue)

Having said that I found a very good Indian/Chinese restaurant about 100m from the hotel. The restaurant is certainly worth a revisit.