Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - NZ hotels/motels: check in, check out times?

Posting again today about my research for a trip to NZ in November /December. For some reason I don't understand, all the transPac flights I've looked at arrive about 5:00 am. (profound shudder of horror) Even if we continue on from Auckland by air, we'd end up in Christchurch about 8:30 am, get the rental car, be on our way by 9:30 am most likely.

What time do hotels/motels let you check in? I've looked at the websites for 15 to 20 "self-catering" hotels in the Christchurch area, and not one site has listed either check-in or check-out times. Please note, I'm looking at places for a family traveling with a 5 year old, not executive class places.

I know in London early arrivals are usually out of luck when it comes to getting into their rooms; how about in New Zealand?

p.s. our arrival would probably be on a Sunday, if that makes any difference

Motels are generally fairly flexible although less so in busy periods (previous guests may not have checked out by 8am).

I assume you have an email or ph number for your accommodation (or at least whoever you organised it through). Why dont you ask?

I assume you have an email or ph number for your accommodation (or at least whoever you organised it through). Why dont you ask?

As of yet, we don't have reservations anywhere - I'm still trying to sort out what types of accomodation at what prices are available in what city. As I mentioned, I've looked at many different websites for lodging, and I was just surprised that none of them mentioned check-out times. I know hoteliers have different norms in different places, and I wondered if there is a predictable norm for check-in policies for NZ.

Motels cater mainly for folk who are driving around (rental or own car) - so typically late morning would be no problem at all for checking in (and often earlier except busy periods). But I think 7am (Auckland arrival) is pushing things a bit far.

In most places, 10am check-out and around midday / 1:00pm check-in is pretty standard. However, if things aren't too busy you're likely to be able to check in earlier, especially if you call ahead.

I was surprised at the number of places in NZ that had 10am check-out times; I'm more accustomed to 11am.

However, just to add another data point, I was able to check in around 8:30am at the Crowne Plaza in CHC. This was on a Tuesday morning; my bed preference of a single king was not available, but they did have two doubles available that were still non-smoking.

CHC Crown Plaza also allowed me to check in early on Sat. around 9-10 am. I think that was on a priority club web rate of NZ$135+tx.

If your budget is okay with that, I would at least book in for the 1st night if not longer since it is a decent property and right next to a small park.