Kimkim Trip Reviews for New Zealand

Rooms were superb, with great views across the lake. Rooms well-appointed with super-comfortable beds. Excellent ala carte buffett.

Hotel situated across busy highway from lake. Rooms and other areas show some aging

Very nice updated rooms, helpful staff, great location.

Room was mere steps away from the lake. Staff was very helpful, even opened the kitchen early for our breakfast

Super-helpful staff, great rooms, great location, breakfast buffett excellent

I enjoyed bit it was a bit long and crowded

What a fun place.

Fabulous trip across the lake with a chance to lounge in the hot pools while the guide cooks you dinner. Then back across the lake to the glow worm cave and a slow paddle back to enjoy the starry night sky. What could be better.

Wonderful experience.

A beautiful place and amazing preservation work being done. Our guides were fabulous.

Fabulous view!

Great location and very nice room. Spent three nights here and it was a good spot for our daily treks. Plenty to do around Queenstown and a short ride to Arrowtown.

Large room and the owners were great. Nice breakfast and plenty of space to hang out. Very near the lake and the town.

The boat was terrific! The state room was small, but we had our own bathroom. This was simply an amazing experience. We took pictures but this was the type of scenery where pictures don't do it justice. You have to experience Milford Sound.

Great place with terrific restaurant, although it was not open every day. The pool and spa area was great.

This was a rental house and in a great location other than there was no lake view but it was in a wooded area about 150 feet from the lake. Had washer and dryer which we used to freshen up before the rest of our tip.

Newer place and the room was great.

Doesn't get better than this! Very private. Great star gazing.

We had a ocean front room which made all the difference.

Good place and location. Nice restaurant and bar area.

This is a must to do. The scenery is breathtaking and pictures don't do it justice. The ship is very cool and the captain was able to pull the ship within a few feet of soaring cliffs and waterfalls. We could feel the mist from the falls. The kayak trip from the boat was really fun and you get the chance to swim off the back of the ship....mighty cold water, but worth it. Food was good and star gazing was terrific!

To be honest, we didn't think this was going to be anything we wanted to do; however, it was spectacular! The boat captain, Hannah, was very knowledgeable and Mou Waho Island was way better than expected. The short hike to the top is steep in some areas, but well worth the views. Try to find the unmarked trail near the lookout area to get to the other side of the island for breathtaking views and quiet.

We expected to see more than two wineries and didn't know this tour included a boat ride featuring see food. The two wineries we visited were terrific and the boat ride was really nice, so it turned out to be a great first day of our trip. Met some nice people and ate fresh mussels and salmon. We ended up visiting two other wineries the next day before headed south. It's important to note that we love NZ wines so the start of our trip in this area was perfect.

A beautiful hotel with a great view. The breakfast buffet was wonderful, but I was surprised at how small the dining room was, so that people had to wait. One morning we were directed to a dining room on another floor, which was fine. I was disappointed that the walking trail to the central city was closed and we had to walk the highway sidewalk. We used the shuttle service to and from central city a number of times and luckily, we learned to make reservations. It was very timely and worked well. We had been told it would go to different locations in the city if needed, but that was not correct. But we made it work without any issues.

Upon arriving at this Hotel, it felt more like a Motel 6! It had no character, seemed old and outdated; there was not a patio or any place we could sit to enjoy company with our travel mates. There seemed to be a bar, but it appeared closed and very small. Our room was particularly dreary with a dark brown carpet that invited the belief that it was dirty. I did not feel comfortable stepping with my bare feet on the carpet. The whole building seemed old and outdated. The only plus for the hotel was the breakfast buffet which was very good. The front desk staff were not helpful, and even somewhat rude. I asked about the availability of coffee and maybe some fruit for our very early travels, and they told me to make coffee in my room (which was terrible) and to go to the grocery store before it closed! Maybe it was the tone in which they said it, but it bordered on being rude. Not helpful.

Unfortunately, because of a mistake with our hotel booking, we only had one night here. We noticed immediately that the property was for Sale. Which is rather concerning. The grounds were not well kept. Our room was pretty small and felt crowded. I liked having the patio where we could sit. The dining area was very nice, and we noted that all of the guests were scheduled around each other to allow for private dining at the one table. It was also awkward to get coffee, since it had to be prepared by the staff - not easily available. The breakfast itself was wonderful - we all liked it. The staff was very courteous - we enjoyed many aspects of the property. I don't see the second night where we had to relocate to the Edgewater Hotel! We liked this hotel very much!

This hotel was fantastic, with all of its amenities and the views! It was crowded at times, and we were not able to take advantage of the coffee shop and its patio. It took a little time for us to get familiar with the restaurants and need to make reservations. The breakfast buffet was great, and we did have dinner at the hotel one night - which was likely the most extensive buffet I have seen for options. Our room had a fantastic view of Mt. Cook - we loved it. It would have been nice to have a balcony to be able to sit outside and enjoy the view with a glass of wine.

The Lodge has a lot of character and different room styles. The dining room and outdoor patio are lovely, with a nice fireplace in the dining room. We had thought the Lodge would be closer to the lake than it was, but it was just a short walk. It was very peaceful.

This hotel has a great location, and the room was very clean and modern. We enjoyed the breakfast and our brief stay.

The view from our private Hot Tub was excellent! The staff were courteous. The facility had a great spa feel to it and felt luxurious.

This activity turned out well, and we are grateful for the help of the travel agent the night before to be sure the wine tour did not prevent us from getting to our Hot Tub experience. The Wine tour driver was so courteous and was aware of our time crunch to get from the wine tour to the Hot Tub. He volunteered to drop us off directly at the Hot Tubs and make our schedule work. We are grateful for everyone working to make everything work together. The wine tour itself was interesting and a great way to see the communities near Queenstown and learn about the local wine industry. Our tour guide was excellent and told us a lot of facts about the community and the wine industry. The wineries were interesting and it was a nice way to spend the day.

A beautiful golf course! The course was in great shape and the views were excellent. The staff was courteous, and the club house and dining patio were inviting. We enjoyed the day!

We were not expecting an hour bus drive from Queenstown, but it was a comfortable bus. We liked jet boat experience; it was something we had not done before. The boat driver was obviously an expert! We also enjoyed the funyaks - it was an exciting challenge to steer the boats clear of rocks and other boats. The directions of our funyak guide were at times confusing, but we made it without getting wet! It was an active experience, and I loved the views of the river and the mountains, along with the stories about the filming of the Lord of Rings.

The gondola ride was great! It was not crowded, and we enjoyed the views from the dining room/bar with a couple of drinks.

A nice drive.

The Guided Walk was longer than I anticipated, but it was a lovely walk! The group was larger than I expected also! There were 13 guests and the hiking guide. The waterfall at the end of the hike was great, and the hiking guide was also very good. The walk did seem a little rushed, but I know we were on a schedule to be able to make the Cruise. The Cruise was the favorite part of the activity. It was beautiful to see all of the waterfalls and the steep sides of the sound. The Cruise went further out into the open ocean than I expected. We saw dolphins as we came back into the sound - a real treat!

We don't know what this is.

This trip was a dud! There were no icebergs floating and the glacier was not very recognizable because of all of the dirt. There was no calving of the glacier. Our guide did the best he could and was very knowledgeable. But after the boring 20 minute walk with 40 other people, and then some time in a boat with little to see - it seemed like a waste of time.

We loved the helicopter experience. It was a first for all of us. We had an excellent pilot, and he was great at telling us interesting facts. Our scheduled flight was pushed back a half hour, and we were told to check in an hour before the trip. We waited around for 1 1/2 hours - which was not a great start to the experience.

Very cute and comfortable place.

It was a hotel. Nothing special and that’s okay.

The people running this B&B were so kind and welcoming! I’m incredibly grateful for their patience dealing with our disoriented, jet lagged selves.

I really don’t know how to describe the level of this place. Their sustainability efforts are remarkable, the staff are a joy to be around and the food was delectable. Absolute favorite of all the places we stayed.

The glowworm caves were magical. Using red lights instead of the bright white for cave features in the way in could have helped our eyes adjust to the dark better and would have improved the experience. I loved the lack of cell phones and the request for silence. It made the experience a lot more memorable. I would have appreciated more time to read all of the info signs that are up everywhere and enjoy the put part of the cave. I felt very rushed and a bit like cattle being herded.

Cruising the Milford Sound wasn’t really our cup of tea. It’s a beautiful fjord, but the boats were overcrowded and moved too quickly to really allow us to soak it in. It felt more like a cell phone photography tour than anything special. Everywhere we tried to just exist and enjoy the ride for a while, someone else's phone ended up in our faces as they tried to get their perfect photo. It did have a small magical moment where the boat got close enough to the falls to get everyone very very wet. It was chilly so everyone (except my husband and I) ran for shelter. We loved the feel of the water and the seclusion it allowed. It was well worth being cold. Just for that moment, I’d recommend doing it once especially if you have limited mobility. The little walk was lovely though and I really enjoyed learning so much about the local plant life. Our guide for that was a joy to be around and really seemed to have a wealth of knowledge to share. She tried her best to make it a memorable experience for us. Also, the lunches were delicious and well balanced!

Our stargazing tour in Mt Cook was surprisingly spectacular. We actually dropped it from our trip and re-added it after more consideration. It turned out to be one of our favorite activities. The guides were knowledgeable and fun to interact with. It was truly a surreal experience I’d recommend to anyone and everyone.

The Banks Track was a delight! It felt like walking through several different worlds. We did the quicker paced option which was a perfect taste of the area. I’d love to return for a full meal…or 2…or 3.

Breakfast was great, staff were helpful and sweet. Clean rooms, and right in the city center. Perfect!

The suite interior had been updated but the exterior needs to be refreshed.

Very centrally located but parking is a challenge. We were very fortunate to find street parking upon arrival but never used the car again until departure because we weren’t sure we would be able to find another spot. The hotel restaurant has a limited but tasty menu. Walking to other restaurants was a bit of a walk and due to the hilly nature of Queenstown we got our exercise.

This location was actually an air bnb. The upper floor is where the owners reside when they are using their vacation home. Our unit was on the ground floor. This meant that we could hear them walking overhead and water through the plumbing. They did provide a washing machine but no dryer. They did have an outdoor line or indoor drying rack but if you’re staying for only a quick stop, your clothes may not get dry. The kitchenette was very small, just a hot plate and no prep space. Lovely views and next to a neighborhood hiking trail. There was a large covey of California Quails wandering nearby.

Very centrally located to restaurants and our booked boat cruise. We were placed in a two bedroom suite that was set up for handicapped accessibility, which unfortunately meant that the shower was open concept and it was impossible to limit the water wetting most of the bathroom floor. We ended up using most of our towels to mop up. Another quaint feature is that the front desk was in the same room as an ice cream shop.

Very centrally located. We were near numerous restaurants and shopping. We were able to easily walk to the Botanical Garden. Despite being on the first floor in a busy city, my room was very quiet. The only challenge was parking. There was a nearby parking structure and the hotel provided us with a discounted parking option but we had to pay for each departure, rather than a flat daily rate.

This hotel was comfortable and clean. Our two bedroom suite had an enormous bathing room with a jacuzzi spa and separate shower. A delightful bonus was the heated floor. We were greeted upon check-in with a basket of cookies and cartons of fresh milk for our coffee or tea. The only minor complaint is that I like to read in bed and the only light in my bedroom was an overhead light, which meant I had to walk in the dark to get to the light switch.

Conveniently located. Clean. Front desk staff were pleasant and professional. The only issue was that the door to the single bedroom was not able to close completely. The breakfast buffet was excellent. Our travel agent had prepaid for us and this made it easy to start the day quickly.

This trip is well planned and executed. There is a bus ride through the countryside to where one boards a boat to sail across Manapouri Lake to get on another bus over Wilmot Pass to get to Doubtful Sound to board another boat. The views are amazing but we, unfortunately, saw little wildlife.

Lovely views of scenery and the Remarkables, the nearby mountain range.

Very expensive and chaotic. We were there in the off season and can’t imagine going at the height of the season. The facility is being remodeled so the restaurant was unavailable. The cafeteria style service was confusing and badly organized. We ended up not eating there. The views on top were beautiful and the gondola ride itself was very smooth. However, unless you are planning on participating in the offered sport activities, such as luge, mountain biking, or ziplining, the experience doesn’t take long. We were underwhelmed.

Underwhelming. Admittedly we had cloudy skies but the VR alternative was sadly rather amateurish and somewhat boring. Additionally, the “hot springs “ were just a chlorinated pool. Since it was outdoors in the dark it felt a little scary trying to traverse our way to the pool. The guide did a good job sharing Māori legends about the night sky.

We loved this. It was wonderful learning about the Māori culture and all of the staff did a fantastic job. The singing was quite good and the dinner was fabulous. Our travel agent passed on the dietary needs of two of us and the cooks provided excellent alternatives to the set menu. Their were so many courses of delicious food and plenty for everyone.

We were very fortunate and had wonderful weather. The sailing was very smooth and the views incredible. We were fortunate to see many dolphins but only one penguin in the water at a distance. The boat captain did a great job describing what we were seeing. The water was an amazing color.

It was quite fascinating to see the geothermal area. The trails are well maintained and the information signs are educational.

Very interesting. We learned a lot about their efforts to increase the number of kiwi in the wild. Take advantage of the gift shops, if you plan on getting mementos of your trip. We definitely had buyers remorse thinking that we would wait until later in the trip to do our shopping. Their prices were actually pretty reasonable.

Loved this! It was very well organized and operated. The tour guide was excellent and we didn’t feel rushed. We would have loved to spend more time there but it is a very popular destination and they need to keep things moving along to ensure that we weren’t crowded during the tour.

The best experience of our trip.

Great room, very modern and comfortable. Good location. Walking distance from the Botanical Gardens.

ok, not much room to walk around at the top.

One of my favorite hotels. You do have to pay for parking, but we walked everywhere. Close to the museum, wharf( where everyone gathers and hangs out). Easily walk to restaurants and shops.

Very small boutique hotel. The room was spacious and lovely. We slept like logs in the amazing soft bed. The restaurant is great. Most of the staff were amazing.

Very modern hotel with gorgeous views. Kitchen is so helpful. Bed is ultra comfortable. Love the jetted tub.

In the heart of Rotorua. A great place to relax after a hike. The place has a coin operated laundry as well. Essential for the minimalist traveler. Absolutely loved the heated tile floor in the bathroom! Crisp white sheets, heavy cotton towels, and a kitchenette. We could stay for a week.

Like being in a European lodge. Comfy, quiet, luxurious room

The room was modern, the sheets crisp, white, and smooth. The bath accommodations were lovely. You can walk right out the door and get to shopping, ferries, or restaurants easily.

The accommodations were very nice. We ate in the restaurant and got coffee from the barista every morning. The location in the heart of the city made it easy to walk to restaurants, shops, and the ferry. A great place to retire every night.

Spectacular views of gannet colonies. I was amazed.

I had no idea what to expect. Our guide, Stephen was so knowledgeable and took care with guiding us in the dark. He took all the pictures and sent them to us the next day. Such an awesome experience in the wilds of New Zealand.

This facility was a great place to learn about Aotearoa and its peoples. The luncheon was good.

Soak in the hot pools, see the views of the surrounding hills

We enjoyed the tour and performance. The dinner was so good and we met some great travelers from around the world d the world. Learning about Maori customs made my trip more memorable.

Driver was on time, friendly, and got us to where we needed to be.

Our guide and driver, Donna was a friendly knowledgeable Māori woman. We enjoyed her talks and the places she took us to. We still say the coffee shop and chocolate shop she stopped at in Devenport was the best!

Wow. Splurge. Stay here at least two nights. It was our last hurrah after 3 weeks of travel and it was amazing. Beautiful. WAyyyyy out there. So quiet. Stars and a hot tub. Incredible food. Fantastic tour with James the rancher. Just go.

This was one of our most favorite places. Stay here! Beautiful accommodations, views, incredible breakfasts, great people. Loved it

All I can say is that this was an incredible way to start our trip to NZ! Two nights and we wish we had more. So comfortable, gorgeous view, great people, amazing breakfasts. Just do it. Stay here.

The company that I retired from gave us the gift of a 4 night stay in one of the top floor suites. It was amazing, but I believe all of the rooms at this property were probably very nice as well.

This property served our needs well, although it might have been nice to stay a little closer to the waterfront area withing walking distance of some restaurants.

Great location in Christchurch for walking to downtown and the Botanical Gardens.

This hotel served our needs quite well. The breakfast buffet at the Hermitage was wonderful.

Great location, good breakfast, friendly, helpful staff

This was a very pleasant surprise. We really enjoyed this activity. Small group, and very interesting information shared along the way,

We enjoyed this experience, but there is no narration as you travel through the city so its a little unclear what you are seeing sometimes. It would be nice if someone was onboard that could say a few words about what you are seeing as you travel on the tram,

Very professional operation, which is definitely what you want when planning to jump out of an airplane!

The airplane ride through the glaciated mountains was incredible,