Where to Find the Best New Zealand Accommodations

If you’re just planning to stay in hotels in New Zealand, you may be cutting yourself out of some great opportunities. The country is filled with unique options that can make New Zealand travel a richer and more interesting experience. Learn more about New Zealand by taking a chance on some different kinds of stays.

Book your hostel reservation here for New Zealand

One of the main kinds of New Zealand accommodations are small family-run B&Bs and backpackers. These are often the most affordable option, with B&Bs offering a hot breakfast. With many backpackers you will have to prepare your own food, but it’s a great way to travel on a budget and you can make reservations only a couple of weeks in advance, unless you are traveling during high season, then I suggest making your plans a month before you plan to stay at a particular place.

And we found that it is the best way to meet people from all over the world. Evenings were a great time to get inside information as to where to go and stay. And be sure to check out another variant on the B&B, the farm stay or a Maori homestay.

Of course, New Zealand hotels in the major cities are up to international standards, and many of the chains are well-known. We stayed at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in downtown Auckland. It was a perfect place for us to regroup as I was leaving the next day for home. What I noticed was that there was no opportunity for us to have a conversation with another guest. After traveling for a month, meeting so many wonderful people and learning so much about their travels and insights, I missed that experience.

Hotels tend to be more of a luxury accommodation option. If it’s luxury you’re after, try one of the deluxe lodges in the countryside. These lodges are often in out of the way locales, and offer great scenery, gourmet food and plush surroundings.

Travelling New Zealand in the high season? Then you should take extra care to book your New Zealand accommodations well in advance. If you have your itinerary all planned out, you can easily go online to a variety of tourism sites to find hotels or backpackers in the places you want to stay. Some of the larger places offer instant online booking, but for many smaller places you may have to call or email directly.

One important caution about using the web to locate budget accommodations. For many of the small, family run B & Bs, hostels or lodges, we found that it is important to confirm your reservations about a month before you leave and then a week before you arrive as a guest. Also confirm the rates that you are paying because there are seasonal rates.

There are no shortage of truly memorable places to stay in New Zealand, it just takes a little effort to find them. New Zealand accommodations can vary widely in terms of quality, price and atmosphere, so even a little bit of legwork a few days before hitting the town can mean the difference between an unforgettable stay, and a very disappointing one. Luckily, all you need to win the New Zealand accommodations game is a good guide book and an internet connection, and then you’re ready for the New Zealand vacation of your lifetime.