Hotels

Hotels can be nice for a stay in the city, but tend to be quite pricey. Consider one of the other options instead.

Motels

Motels are a great option if you plan to rent a car to get around. They tend to cope well if you just drive up and booking a room on the spot, although you may have to try a few to get a vacancy in popular spots. They’re generally of an acceptable standard and some do breakfast on request.

Bed and Breakfast

For proper cultural immersion try a B&B. They pride themselves on linking you to the local area, and most will help out enthusiastically with directions and tips.

Backpackers

Halt the stereotype. There are still dorm-style backpackers lodges, but most now also offer individual rooms which are comparable to travelodge style accomodation – bare-basics hotel level. The YHA run many of them in NZ, and you don’t have to be a member to book a room.

Camping

To really treat yourself, try camping without the rain! You can rent or borrow a tent for the rustic experience, but most camp grounds have cabins as well. These can range from bunkrooms to full kitchen and bathroom cottages. For example, we stayed here in Raglan recently. Camp grounds will often rent linen, kayaks etc. Camp grounds will also offer parking and power sites for Campervans.