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Best Hotel Bets
The Best B&Bs
Amerissit (Remuera; tel. 09/522-9297): Barbara McKain's calm suburban home is a fantastically priced, peaceful haven that will soothe all of your senses. Genuine Kiwi hospitality rules here and you'll be hard-pressed to find better value.
A-Kahu (Rotorua; tel. 07/347-4148): I had one of the best B&B stays in New Zealand with Kiri Atkinson-Crean and her husband Nigel Crean -- a young, contemporary Maori couple, who will give you a real insight into what it means to be Maori in modern New Zealand. On top of that, their beds and rooms are divine, the food is fantastic, and there is laughter aplenty.
298 Oriental Bay (Wellington; tel. 04/384-4990): Nothing, and I mean nothing, is too much trouble for Susan Bilbie when it comes to ensuring her guests are happy. Factor in a home on prime capital real estate, and you have a real winner. This is an exquisite property that deserves all the superlatives.
Rawhiti Boutique Bed and Breakfast (Wellington; tel. 04/934-4859): Annabel Leask is the consummate hostess. She has an intimate knowledge of her own city's culture, she's well traveled, and her gorgeous hilltop home overlooking the city will win you over in a second.
Elgin House (Dunedin; tel. 03/453-0004): Roger and Carolyn Rennie have mastered the art of spoiling their guests and their gorgeous old three-story home is riddled with character, history, charm, and hospitality. Don't miss it!
Pencarrow (Queenstown; tel. 03/442-8938): You'll have to completely revise your benchmark for service and value for money after staying with Bill and Kari Moers. They give a whole new meaning to guest comforts, and I think they should give lessons to B&Bs everywhere.
Maison de la Mer (Akaroa; tel. 03/304-8907): If you want to know how a top B&B should be run, visit the experts. Bruce and Carol Hyland have hosted over 14,000 guests during their tenure in the hospitality industry, and their new Akaroa venture is as luscious as their last. You'd be silly to miss it.
The Best Luxury Accommodations
Kauri Cliffs (Kerikeri; tel. 09/405-1900): I could find no fault whatsoever with this sublime northern retreat. It is, as the saying goes, "heaven on a stick," and I'm not even a golfer! The staff here were some of the friendliest in the country and the rooms -- especially the bathrooms -- are my idea of true luxury.
Eagles Nest (Russell; tel. 09/403-8333): Combine the very best of international taste with the magic of Northland's subtropical environment and a rich vein of natural energy, and you get a luxury retreat quite unlike any other in New Zealand. Daniel and Sandie Biskind have created a world-class retreat worthy of anyone's prolonged attention.
Huka Lodge (Taupo; tel. 07/378-5791): Exclusivity reigns supreme at this Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. International awards bounce off the walls, and guests invariably comment on rooms fit for kings. It has a supreme location beside the Waikato River just above the Huka Falls and a reputation for quality and service that seems impossible to shake.
Treetops Lodge & Estate (Rotorua; tel. 07/333-2066): My expectations may never be the same again after staying at Treetops. Being spoiled with one of the most gorgeous suites in the country tends to have that effect. Set in a unique native bush environment, it's a true sanctuary that will lower your heart rate within minutes of arriving.
Paratiho Farms (Motueka; tel. 03/528-2100): The late Robert Hunt and his wife, Sally, found their slice of paradise in an archetypal New Zealand setting -- rolling green hills, big clear skies, balmy climate, endless peace and quiet. Thankfully, Sally has continued sharing the sublimely luxurious lodge they created here. The attention to detail surpasses almost everything else in New Zealand.
Eichardt's Private Hotel (Queenstown; tel. 03/441-0450): This new Small Luxury Hotels of the World member has received glowing accolades in Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report, and it's becoming the hotel of choice for discerning, upscale travelers. In a remodeled historic building in central Queenstown, it oozes first-class style and understated glamour. It remains one of my favorites.
Blanket Bay (Queenstown; tel. 03/442-9442): If you want luxury on a grand scale in a majestic setting to match, look no further than Blanket Bay. These gorgeous stone buildings marry so completely with the awesome landscape, it seems as if they were always here. Inside, you'll find an outstanding level of service and comfort. What more could you want?
The Best Boutique Hotels & Small Lodges
Te Whau Lodge (Waiheke Island; tel. 09/372-2288): Every time I visit Te Whau I'm convinced all over again that Gene O'Neill and Liz Eglinton give you the best of everything -- winning personalities, fabulous food, great rooms, and views you won't believe. There's something quintessentially Kiwi about the whole experience that I'm proud to recommend.
Ridge Country Retreat (Tauranga; tel. 07/542-1301): The generosity and style of rooms here leave many more expensive stays in the shade. Joanne O'Keeffe and Penny Oxnam were some of the best (and funniest) hosts on my last road trip, and I'm confident your expectations will be exceeded at every level. The food is divine!
Millar Road (Hastings; tel. 06/875-1977): Waking up to staggering views over vineyards, orchards, and rolling green hills is only part of the pleasure of this exquisite stay. Somewhere between lodge and B&B, these two modern, self-contained "cottages" are divine. I can't get the memory of them out of my head. It's a classy, unexpected gem filled with contemporary New Zealand art, and I know you'll want to stay at least a week!
Hapuku Lodge (Kaikoura; tel. 03/319-6559): This has got to be one of the best-value, classy little lodges in New Zealand. Good taste and top comfort have been poured into big rooms filled with exquisite handcrafted furniture and art; and new, contemporary treehouses are the best of all. It's unbeatable value and one of my top picks for something unique and memorable.
Huntley House (Christchurch; tel. 03/348-8435): This brand-new boutique hotel has its toes firmly cemented in one of Christchurch's grand old homes, with new apartments built to look as if they've always been there. It's uncompromisingly extravagant and a masterful blend of old-world charm with modern conveniences.
Matakauri Lodge (Queenstown; tel. 03/441-1008): Long since recognized as one of the most romantic little lodges in New Zealand, Matakauri is now very fortunate to have one of the best management teams I've come across in Grant and Deb Alley. They've imbued this special place with an extra level of professionalism that's hard to fault. And the location? Unbelievable!
Remarkables Lodge (Queenstown; tel. 03/442-2720): Brian Savage and Colleen Ryan sailed the world for 10 years chartering their yacht. We can be thankful they came ashore in Queenstown and took this well-established lodge and shook it by the scruff of the neck. With new life and an understated level of class that puts it above many, it's a top retreat tucked into the foot of the very remarkable Remarkables mountains.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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