HotelChatter

New Zealand Hotels / Australia Hotels / Awards / → All Tags

Conde Nast Suggests the Treetops Lodge in Rotorua

Where: 351 KEAROA ROAD, Rotorua, New Zealand

The recent 20th annual Conde Nast Traveler awards threw up some not-too-surprising results in the Australia/Pacific section, with Melbourne's about-to-be-even-bigger Crown Towers complex coming up in the number one position, closely followed by Sydney's Park Hyatt.

But coming in at number three was the less mainstream option of the Treetops Lodge in Rotorua, New Zealand. With just twelve rooms, it certainly has less guests coming through the door than places like the Crown or the Park Hyatt, but those that have checked in have been suitably impressed.

The Treetops Lodge is in the middle of the forest so nature and wildlife are the key impressions you'll get. There are plenty of outdoor activities to be undertaken including horse riding, hiking and fishing. The restaurant focuses on locally produced (or caught) food, and also on offering a good range of New Zealand wines.

It's really quite a special place and offers some interesting packages including an indigenous culture and cuisine package which gives guests the chance to see a Maori cultural performance and learn about their cuisine.

[Photo: rbmm]

Related Stories:
· Room With A Kiiller View: Treetops Rotorua [HotelChatter]
· What Is Treetops Lodge in New Zealand? [HotelChatter]
· Melbourne to Get Biggest Hotel Down Under [HotelChatter]

Killer View / New Zealand Hotels / → All Tags

Room with a Killer View: In the Treetops of Rotorua

Where: 351 Kearoa Rd , Rotorua, New Zealand

With a name like Treetops Luxury Lodge and Estate, you'd expect a good view. And you get it.

In the heart of thermal and mud spring country, Treetops is outside the town of Rotorua on the north island of New Zealand, with forests, streams and lakes surrounding it. You can go fishing, mountain biking, horseriding, hiking or--our personal preference--sit in your luxury villa and enjoy the view.

[Photo: rbmm]

Related Stories:
· What Is...Treetops Lodge in New Zealand? [HotelChatter]
· Travel Stories in New Zealand [Jaunted]

New Zealand Hotels / Hotel Deals / → All Tags

Sudima Hotel Puts You Right on Lake Rotorua

Where: 1000 Eruera Street, Rotorua, New Zealand

Down in New Zealand, the former Lake Plaza Hotel has been rebranded and renamed the Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua. While the website makes it sound more like a real estate company than a hotel--"`Location, Location, Location' best describes Rotorua's largest hotel"--it is set right on the lake at Rotorua, one on New Zealand's most scenic spots. It's five minutes from the town and right next to the Polynesian Spa.

If all that doesn't tempt you, then it's also good to know that the Sudima has a special deal for the rest of summer, with rooms going for NZ$149 (about US$105) instead of the normal NZ$240, which is a pretty impressive saving, and includes buffet breakfast and (woo-hoo) a free newspaper. And while a lot of guests say that the hotel itself is in an unimpressive building and sometimes a lack of airconditioning, everybody seems to agree that the location is good and the value's not bad either.

[Photo: atctim747]

Related Stories:
· Sudima Hotel [TripAdvisor]
· Hot Deals [NZ Herald]

Hotels / → All Tags

What Is...Treetops Lodge In New Zealand?

Where: 351 Kearoa Road, Rotorua, New Zealand

T&L talks to Jepordy's Alex Trebek about his latest vacation--a jaunt to New Zealand's Treetops Lodge.

My wife and I went to New Zealand and stayed at Treetops Lodge, just outside of Rotorua, in this fantastic wooded never-never land. The great thing about New Zealand is that you're so far from home that you're nearly out of touch. Our daughter called from California to say there was a leak in our hallway. I told her, "We're seven thousand miles away. Put a pan under it!"

Treetops is a secluded luxury retreat located in the trout capital of the world. Set on 2,500 acres of game reserve including 800-year-old forests, hiking, horseback and mountain bike riding are common lodge side activities. We are wondering if the Kiwi's made Trebek host a mock Jepordy tourney while he was in town...probably not.

Related Stories:
·   Fast Talk: Alex Trebek [Travel & Leisure]

Miscellaneous / → All Tags

Amazing Race 5 Hotel Update: Zorbing in New Zealand

Where: 326 Fenton Street, Rotorua, New Zealand

We know, we missed our deadline for the Amazing Race hotel report last week, but hey, better late then never, right?

Last weeks pit stop was at the home of the worlds first zorb site, Rotorua New Zealand.

The contestants took part in a hydro zorb ride before they crossed the finish line and checked in with Phil, but our question is, as always, where did they stay once they dried off?

Our guess this week?

Why? New Zealand is all about the downscale and the understated. The all suite Silver Fern Inn looks like the perfect place to catch twelve hours of sleep in New Zealand. It is close to the center of town in Rotorua, close to many of the adventure sport locations (including the zorb field), and comes with clean, comfortable rooms.

The Silver Fern Inn, looks like a cool place to rest after a full day of adventuring around Rotorua. So what do you say Phil? Did we get it right? Are we still in the race?

Related Stories:
·   Amazing Race 5 Hotel Update: A Different Side of Kolkata [HotelChatter]
·   Amazing Race 5 Hotel Update: Paragliding Patagonia [HotelChatter]
·   Amazing Race 5 Hotel Update: Uruguay Hotels [HotelChatter]
·   Amazing Race 5 Hotel Update: Crocidile Island in Luxor Egypt [HotelChatter]
·   Amazing Race 5 Hotel Update: Lake Manyara [HotelChatter]
·   Amazing Race 5 Hotel Update: Burj Al Arab [HotelChatter]