Dear FTers:

I am a long-term fan of this forum (although I am new to posting here) and wanted to seek out your assistance in advance of an upcoming trip.

Mr. CalifornianWanderer and I have always wanted to travel to New Zealand. We are contemplating a trip in late March and early April. We have never been to New Zealand (we have always just flown over it on our way to Australia from the US), and I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions or trip reports about the top properties there.

Based on what I have heard from friends and read about the country, I think we will try to divide our time between the North and South Islands (maybe spending a bit more time on the South) and be there for about three weeks. As New Zealand seems to be best known for its lodges (and we are hotel junkies), we would like to stay at several of them.

In particular, we have heard great things about Otahuna, Huka and Blanket Bay. Has anyone been to any of these three? Are there other lodges worth considering? Is there a single lodge that best showcases New Zealand?

Any detailed information on past experiences would be most appreciated. Thanks so much for your help!