Kathrin helped us plan a two week, action-packed, trip to New Zealand’s North and South islands. Her choices of hotels and adventures were outstanding, closely matching our requirements. Some of our most memorable experiences included e-biking on Waiheke island, an incredible kayak journey to see the glow-worm caves, a helicopter ride up to hike on the Tasmanian Glacier and a luxury train ride up to Arthur’s Seat. Hotels were good, especially M Social in Auckland and Kamana Lake House in...
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Kathrin helped us plan a two week, action-packed, trip to New Zealand’s North and South islands. Her choices of hotels and adventures were outstanding, closely matching our requirements. Some of our most memorable experiences included e-biking on Waiheke island, an incredible kayak journey to see the glow-worm caves, a helicopter ride up to hike on the Tasmanian Glacier and a luxury train ride up to Arthur’s Seat. Hotels were good, especially M Social in Auckland and Kamana Lake House in Queenstown both with great views, and Koura Lodge with rooms a few steps from the lake.
Working with KimKim was also a pleasure. We constantly referenced the KimKim App which showed hotels and activities, including conformation numbers and pop-up detailed descriptions.
Hotel Reviews
Distinction Te Anau Hotel And Villas
Te Anau
Aging, large hotel, with little character
Authenticity & Character
Everything
Kamana Lakehouse
Queenstown
Rooms were superb, with great views across the lake. Rooms well-appointed with super-comfortable beds. Excellent ala carte buffett.
Authenticity & Character
Decor and style, giant windows facing lake
Location
Liked the location away from the busy harbor area.
Staff
Friendly and helpful
Peppers Bluewater Resort
Lake Tekapo
Hotel situated across busy highway from lake. Rooms and other areas show some aging
Location
Not sure, since most hotels are across highway from lake
Hotel Montreal
Christchurch
Very nice updated rooms, helpful staff, great location.
Location
Close to parks and tramway
Staff
Small matter which really impressed us: staff mailed a pair of socks left in the room to our next location
Room was mere steps away from the lake. Staff was very helpful, even opened the kitchen early for our breakfast
Location
Driveway a bit tricky
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms have a strange configuration with the access between bedroom and living room through bathroom
Super-helpful staff, great rooms, great location, breakfast buffett excellent
Location
Near waterfront and activities
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel in excellent condition
Activity Reviews
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
New Zealand
Great for Hobbit/Lord of the Rings fans, too long and crowded for the rest. Feels like Univeral Studios. I guess you need to go to check it off the list, because everyone asks if you've been.
Quality of Experience
Smaller groups (less than 40), streamlined tour of maybe 60-90 minutes instead of 150 minutes
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Kawarau River white-water rafting
Queenstown (NZ)
Another of our top trips. We were bused to a different location because the water level was low, but our travel companion Harry as well as the other guides were very amusing and the journey went quickly. The rapids were quite exciting to traverse, and the other swimming/jumping added to the fun.
Quality of Experience
The guides, and the excitement of traversing rapids
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Low-key, very funny, very helpful
Transport
Nothing, buses are not my favorite mode of travel
Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise (self -drive - departs from Manapouri - operated by Real NZ)
Manapouri
It was a long day: driving to the ferry terminal, ferrying across the lake, then busing across the mountain pass before boarding the ferry on Doubtful Sound. The Sound was beautiful, and we saw dolphins and porpoises, but after all the other beautiful lakes and scenery we had seen before it was a bit anticlimactic given the difficulty of access. We had originally booked the overnight cruise, but it was cancelled due to mechanical issues. Kathryn jumped through hoops to help us rebook an overnight in Te Anai followed by the day cruise. I suspect the overnight cruise would have been a better experience.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Good, but perfunctory service. Nothing special
Transport
Move the lake closer to Queenstown, or fly if only a single day trip.
Mt Cook half day Heli Hike with the Helicopter Line
Aoraki / Mount Cook Village
One of our top experiences. We did have some issues, with a booking mixup between different tour companies, but t was all sorted in the end
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The helicopter ride
Christchurch Tramway Restaurant
Christchurch
Tram ride through the center of Christchurch, with a delicious dinner being served on the tram out of a tiny kitchen. We did find that the booking was for a party of 2, not 4, so we had to squeeze in and miss two of the appetizers.
Quality of Experience
Unique experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour - Glowworm Caves
Rotorua
The kayak trip to an island for dinner, then across the bay to the glow-work caves and back to the starting point in pitch darkness was one of our top experiences. The cascading heated mineral water baths were wonderful.
Food
The guide grilled salmon for us on the island
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was superb - low-key, knowledgeable, and funny
A walking tour visiting varying ponds and steaming geysers. Fascinating geological/historical venue.
Quality of Experience
The ponds are amazing, the colors an artist's palette. The geyser triggered by soap was a bit kitschy
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our private guide was friendly and well-informed.
Transport
Nothing - we drove there
Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience
Rotorua
Authentic Maori experience
Quality of Experience
The enthusiasm and grace of the Maori performers
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Allow visitors to avoid shuttles to collection point and buses from there to site
Self-guided E-bike tour Waiheke Island (includes cycle hire)
Waiheke Island
One of the top activities on the trip, Island is idyllic, and the road passes several beaches where we swam, and some wineries. E-bikes were fun to ride.
Quality of Experience
e-bikes in top condition, lines to rent bikes short
Transport
Ferry covers a scenic route
Local specialist: Kathrin Gerstel
We carefully planned our trip with Kathrine. She totally listened to and understood our needs. There were so many highlights. The hotels we stayed in were wonderful, all in great locations. I will definitely tell anyone who is planning a vacation to New Zealand to contact Kathrin!
Read more
We carefully planned our trip with Kathrine. She totally listened to and understood our needs. There were so many highlights. The hotels we stayed in were wonderful, all in great locations. I will definitely tell anyone who is planning a vacation to New Zealand to contact Kathrin!
Activity Reviews
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
New Zealand
I enjoyed bit it was a bit long and crowded
Self-guided E-bike tour Waiheke Island (includes cycle hire)
Waiheke Island
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Kathrin Gerstel