Air New Zealand Air Points - Hotel Recommendations for May NZ Trip?

Good evening.

My wife, 2 year old daughter and I will be making our first leisure trip to NZ from May 18-June 4th. We are looking for hotel (apartment) room with a separate bedroom. We prefer hotels with indoor pools. And we are looking to keep it under $125 US a night. The closer to to the city center the better. We will most likely use Wotif to book, but I was looking for recommendations for the follwoing:

May 18-20 (2 nights in Auckland - ??
May 20-22 (2 nights) already booked in a farmstay
May 22-24 (2 nights) in Wellington -- ??
May 24 (1 night) in Queenstown -- ??
May 24 - June 4th - RV already booked for South Island
June 4th (1 night) in Christchurch)

We are driving from Queenstown to Christchurch and will gladly take recommednations for B&Bs or hotels along the drive.

Thanks for the help. We are really looking forward to the trip.

May 18-20 (2 nights in Auckland - ??

The Hyatt is alright and can be had for about $120. They have a very good pool/spa (indoors). Although the pool is not suitable for young children.

May 22-24 (2 nights) in Wellington -- ??
I'd go for a B&B. WLG hotels are not worth their money. The Ibis is acceptable if you can get it for a low price, but don't think it has a pool.

May 24 (1 night) in Queenstown -- ??

The Heritage hotel is affordable and quite nice. It has a small indoor/outdoor pool and a jacuzzi.

Have fun on your trip!!

Just on WLG hotels. Great value in weekends (as long as no major sporting event on), poor value in the week.

I just got back from Auckland after a stay at Sky City and at the Carlton. Both are under your price ceiling and both have pools, I think. The Carlton definitely does. They're both close to the city, the Carlton also has a free shuttle to Customs Street (the bottom of Queen Street).

I booked the Carlton from wotif.com, and noticed some properties (including the Carlton) have a 2-night 'long-stay' deal, which worked quite well. I don't know whether it's anything to do it, but my Sky City stay was on a corporate rate (and more expensive) and I'd a better room at Sky City than at the Carlton.

I just got back from Auckland after a stay at Sky City and at the Carlton. Both are under your price ceiling and both have pools, I think. The Carlton definitely does. They're both close to the city, the Carlton also has a free shuttle to Customs Street (the bottom of Queen Street).
I find the Sky city complex crowded and uncomfortable; whereas the Carlton has a much more comfortable feeling.

I find the Sky city complex crowded and uncomfortable; whereas the Carlton has a much more comfortable feeling.

I agree...! With the casino, etc, it's always busy... This hotel also seems to have lots of tour groups... I like the Carlton better as a hotel, but I just had a better room at Sky City than I'd in the Carlton...

I agree...! With the casino, etc, it's always busy... This hotel also seems to have lots of tour groups... I like the Carlton better as a hotel, but I just had a better room at Sky City than I'd in the Carlton...I prefer the Hilton due to the wonderful view over the gulf but am not sure if it meets the OPs requirements.

The Heritage in Queenstown is very nice but is out of town [a few minutes drive].

I prefer the Hilton due to the wonderful view over the gulf but am not sure if it meets the OPs requirements.

The Heritage in Queenstown is very nice but is out of town [a few minutes drive].

Hilton is way more than US$120. Heritage has a shuttle bus to town, quite regularly.

Re Carlton vs Hyatt - friends of mine just stayed in both (Carlton was slightly cheaper) and much preferred the Hyatt, especially the pool/spa.