Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Australia/NZ hotel-motel opinions needed




littlechi92
Oct 27, 04, 10:56 am
Thank you to whoever posted responses to my previous question concerning the Southern Cross Suites. I have since made a reservation with the 4 points using an SPG50 certificate.

I have searched both FT and the rest of the internet for most of my hotels, but still need opinions on these places:

Oasis Resort - Cairns
Glacier View - Franz Joseph
Gothic Heights Motel - Christchurch
Colonial Motel - Blenheim
Kiwi Paka Waitomo - Waitomo
Copthorne Harbour City Hotel

I am very excited for our OZ/NZ trip, which is finally starting to take shape. Thanks in advance for all your help.


number_6
Oct 27, 04, 3:03 pm
Not much choice at the glaciers in NZ, all accomodation is similar and basic but clean (anything better is 100+ miles away). Most small-town NZ motels are similar and better than you would find in the US. They will be comfortable but won't be the highlight of your trip (the magnificent scenery around them is!). Arrowtown has some nice accomodation, and there is a NZ Bed&Breakfast book which is quite good but you will be staying in people's homes (though often in self-contained quarters; costs more than the motels but nicer, sometimes lavish).

Edited to add that I thought Fox glacier was better than Franz Josef, and the other 'must-see' attraction is Lake Matheson. Really stunning, best early morning or evening. The guided glacier walks are great, you get crampons and an ice axe and climb up the face of the glacier -- something you could never do in the US for legal liability reasons. A bit dangerous but it is self-evident to being a slight adventure; and much more fun than I expected walking in ice to be. Better than the heli-tours ... but you do have to sign up for a tour to do this.

littlechi92
Nov 5, 04, 9:40 am
Thanks number_6. I will check out Fox and compare.




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