We spent 11 nights in NZ a couple years ago and had great experiences almost everywhere we stayed. We did stay a couple nights at Grasmere Lodge and Blanket Bay, which were extremely expensive, but our lodging budget actually worked out to be ok by mixing in very nice B&B type lodgings that were reasonably priced. I will say that I felt that both Grasmere Lodge and Blanket Bay were well worth their cost and we loved both of them. They really provide a unique, intimate luxury experience that I have not found elsewhere in the world. Some of the other places we stayed, which I also highly recommend: Old Saint Mary's Convent in Blenheim (for food and wine), Bronte Lodge near Nelson (great base for hiking/kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park, also some good wineries and seafood), and Evergreen Lodge in Queenstown. We also stayed at Villa Polenza on the West Coast and Glenfern Villas for the glaciers. Both were perfectly adequate but not my favorites (Glenfern is like a basic but clean apartment/motel, which is probably the best you can hope for in its location, Villa Polenza was a small and beautiful B&B, but I thought our room was a bit small and not as private as the other places we stayed). Let me know if you have any other questions and good luck planning--this was one of our favorite vacations, you will love NZ.