HotelChatter

Tags: Cubicle Dreamin / New Zealand Hotels / → All Tags

Queenstown's Matakauri Lodge Might Get Even Better

Where: Glenorchy Road, Queenstown, New Zealand

Cubicle Dreamin' is a feature in which we ask the hotel mavens to take some time out of their busy work day, surf the Internet, and tell us what hotel they wish they could beam themselves to right that very second--all on the slave driving company's dime, of course. Oh, like these people aren't surfing aimlessly anyway; at least now their purposeless clicking will be cobbled together into useful hotel stories--we hope. Have a destination hotel you are just dying to leave your cube for? Send the story our way.

Despite living in Australia for a whole lot of my life, I've never actually been to New Zealand. (It's actually pretty far away when you live on the west coast of Oz – that's my excuse and I’m sticking to it.) Of course I definitely want to check out this beautiful country and a resort that's just changed hands seems like a nice spot to stay.

Near the tourist hotspot of Queenstown on the South Island, the Matakauri Lodge has just been bought by billionaire Julian Robertson. He already owns The Farm at Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs but he's moving south and extending his family of luxury Kiwi resorts.

more ›

Tags: Flight Attendants / Crowne Plaza Hotels / Hotel Hell / New Zealand Hotels / → All Tags

Drunken Qantas Flight Attendants Cause Trouble at a Crowne Plaza in New Zealand

Where: Beach Street, Queenstown, New Zealand, 9300

Uh-oh sounds like someone had too much fun raiding the mini-bar at the Crowne Plaza in Queenstown, New Zealand.

According to reports, two Qantas flight attendants got wasted in their crash pad hotel room and set off the fire alarm at the hotel:

Many of about 200 guests at the Crowne Plaza hotel were dragged from their beds and sent into the street and two fire engines rushed to the hotel after a fire-alarm access point was smashed on July 31.

The false alarm cost the flight attendant $1500 to cover damages and the cost of the call-out.

But the next day when the hotel confronted the Qantas staffer they believed pulled the alarm, she apparently had no idea what she had done.

It was a fairly big stuff-up by the guest and when she was asked why she did it, she said she had no idea and she was upset and disappointed with herself. She left next day.

Needless to say the flight attendants have been suspended.

Tags: Killer View / New Zealand Hotels / HotelChatter Flickr Pool / → All Tags

Room With a Killer View: Lakeside View at Azur in Queenstown

Where: 23 Mackinnon Terrace, Queenstown, New Zealand

We are suckers for a room with a killer view.  We find that we are even more likely to forgive some minor hotel inconveniences if we can stare out the window at something pretty--yeah we are that shallow. Let's help out our fellow hotel mavens by uploading rooms with killer views to the HotelChatter/Flickr photo pool, or by sending the photo along to us. We will feature our favorites in this space from time to time. Remember to tell us the name of the hotel and the room number of the hot view.

The Azur in Queenstown, New Zealand, has a lot to like about it before we even get into the views: it's the #1 hotel in Queenstown on TripAdvisor, it's luxurious and exclusive with just nine rooms, and you can get a gorgeous lakeside villa (although it'll usually cost you more than $1000 a night).

And then there's the view. Shaolo/Paolo dropped this picture in the HotelChatter/Flickr photo pool and we're grateful for it. Who wouldn't want a vacation with a chance of views like this all day? This picture's worth a few hundred words at least, so we won't say anything more.

[Photo: shaolo/paolo]

Tags: New Zealand Hotels / Queenstown Hotels / → All Tags

New Zealand Resorts: 50-50 Chance on Queenstown's Beacon Resort

Where: 33 Lake Esplanade, Queenstown, New Zealand

We've heard some nice things about the collection of Peppers resorts you can find across Australia and New Zealand, so we figured that a good spot to stay in Queenstown--current absolute tourist fave of New Zealand--would be the Peppers Beacon Resort.

The Beacon sounds great from the surface level and has truly outstanding views from many of the rooms--like this one over the lake, and you can also choose from mountain and garden views. It's located a five-minute walk from the middle of Queenstown itself, so you can't get much more convenient.

more ›

Tags: New Zealand Hotels / Small Luxury Hotels / → All Tags

Ski Luxury in Eichardt's Private Hotel

Where: Marine Parade, Queenstown

It's cute, it's small, and it's luxurious: and it's in one of the most visitable spots on the planet. We're talking the Queenstown, New Zealand Eichardt's Private Hotel, which is the place where all the locals want to stay. Queenstown is the capital of fun in New Zealand, whether you're talking snow in the ski season or other kinds of adventure during the rest of the year, from hot air ballooning through to jet boat riding.

If you hit Queenstown in winter (remember that's the same time as the northern hemisphere summer) then there is basically everything you'll need on offer--Eichardt's can point you towards night skiing, cross country skiing and even heli-skiing. The dedicated concierge can organize things like an in-room massage after a hard day on the slopes, or whatever your whim demands, and with only five suites making up the entire hotel, that makes him practically a personal concierge.

Standard suite rates start at NZ$1,375 (about US$1,050) with an extra NZ$250 ($190) charge for an extra bed for a child. Interestingly, this includes an American breakfast, rather than a New Zealand one, whatever that might entail.


Related Stories:
· 4 For 3 at Eichardt's in Queenstown [HotelChatter]
· Queenstown Hotels [HotelChatter]

Tags: New Zealand Hotels / Hotel Deals / Queenstown Winter Festival / → All Tags

4 For 3 At Eichardt's in Queenstown (And More!)

Where: Marine Parade , Queenstown , New Zealand, 9197

If you're a lover of winter who's a bit sad that summer's on the way, just head to the southern hemisphere. Easy! Our suggestion is New Zealand, perhaps for the Queenstown Winter Festival--and when in Queenstown, check out the Eichardt's Private Hotel. Since Queenstown is not only the heart of winter in New Zealand but generally recognized as the center of all those great adventure activities, you'll be able to ski, snowboard, skydive, bungy jump, jet-boat and hang-glide while you're based at Eichardt's--but you are allowed to just relax, too.

There are five luxury suites at Eichardt's and it's located right on the lakefront, within the café and restaurant area in the middle of Queenstown. Previous guests rave about friendly staff and whatever help they wanted, and obviously a really central location.

The best bit is that Small Luxury Hotels of the World have a promo on at the moment. "Stay 4 Pay 3" is pretty much self-explanatory, and gives you four nights for the price of three at a range of boutique hotels across NZ. That includes Eichardt's, giving you a package at NZ$4128 (just under $3000).

Related Stories:
· Eichardt's Private Hotel reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Good News For Lovers Of Winter [Jaunted]

Tags: Honeymoon Hotels / New Zealand Hotels / → All Tags

'Today Show' Viewers Say New Zealand is the Honeymoon Hotspot

Where: Marine Parade | PO Box 1340, Queenstown, New Zealand, 9197

When looking into honeymoon hotels, we've seen the trends--couples in matching outfits in the Caribbean, hikers in Belize, spa-goers in Hawaii. But according to the latest "Today Show" poll: the newest honeymooon hotspot is New Zealand.

About 5.5 million viewers voted Kiwi land the better place to honeymoon (sorry Niagara) as part of the show's wedding-mania where they plan out a couple's entire wedding.

Thus, the lucky (?) newlyweds were sent to Queenstown, where they stayed at Eichardt's Private Hotel.

With just five suites, each meticulously designed for luxury and with breathtaking views, this place sounds about right for honeymooning.

The historic building is in the premium lakefront position at the heart of Queenstown's café and restaurant precinct, with some of the finest international shopping labels an easy stroll away.

Inhale the invigorating alpine air - then step out into the expectant evening and let the lights of Queenstown and canopy of stars guide you to one of the world class restaurants nearby. When winter's blanket descends over the town, the allure of open log fires, coffee aromas and cheery conversation beckon you in from the cold.

Who knew so much trust could be left into the hands of "Today Show" viewers? But a deep tissue massage in your room, hot air balloon ride outside the hotel and into the mountains, and cozying up at the fireplace with your espresso and room service does kind of make laying on a beach in Hawaii seem kind of routine.

Related Stories:
· New Zealand is voted the Land of Love by USA Today Show [E-Travel Blackboard]
· Eichardt Hotel Reviews [TripAdvisor]

Tags: New Zealand Hotel Reviews / → All Tags

New Zealand's Hotspot, Literally

Where: 26 Isle Street,, Queenstown, New Zealand

Word is, New Zealand sits on a hotspot that could very well soon, blow up with a volcanic blast. So you may as well head down there the sooner the better.

We found a quaint boutique hotel in Queenstown. Browns Boutique Hotel has killer views, a charming staff (Nigel and Bridget) and is great in all seasons. But what appears most delightful of the place is the personalized attention one receives from Nige and Bridge and other staff members like picking up a pizza.

A certain Alex character was also one staffer who was mentioned several times in raving reviews from past guests:

I think the best part of this hotel is that Alex and his partner live on site in the hotel and so they are around 24-7 if you need anything. Everytime you go to ask a question, you are talking to the same person who remembers you and what you asked last time so this gives it an extremely personal feel. They didn't charge us for local calls, they let us use the wireless connection for free, and they printed out a few documents for us for free. These kinds of personal touches made a big difference to us.

Thumbs down for the no WiFi but thumbs up for the great staff. It will be good to make some strong friendships before everyone goes up in the volcanic blast.

Related Stories:
· Browns Boutique Hotel Reviews [TripAdvisor]

Tags: Miscellaneous / → All Tags

Queenstown Girls Like To Watch

Where: 8 Duke Street, Queenstown, New Zealand, 9197

The new $45 million Sofitel Queenstown has taken urinal entertainment up a notch.

In the lobby men's room the five star hotel has installed life sized images of models behind the urinals to peer down at each customers "manhood."

The girls, all local Queenstown models are holding cameras, tape measures, binoculars and some of them appear to be laughing.

Why?

According to the GM, the toilets are just a way of "adding a little levity" to the hotel.

We have been down this road before.  First with New Zealand's unique drinking and driving campaign and then with the Vegas strip views from the urinals high atop THEHotel.  However, local New Zealand amateur models watching you while you go definitely takes the cake.

Good on'ya Sofitel Queenstown.

There is a video with the news story.

Related Stories:
·   Heads Turn Over Hotel's New Toilets [tvnz.co.nz]
·   Sofitel Queenstown Hotel Reviews [TripAdvisor]