Kimkim Trip Reviews for New Zealand

Perfect in every respect. Great staff, terrific room, great restaurant and in the very heart of city by the docks. Wonderful experience!

Phil was a great guide. We enjoyed the day with him. We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch at the vineyard -- the views and ambiance as well as the amazing charcuterie platter that the winery prepared. The tastings were all good. The final tasting at Kinross with Brian was by far the best. Brian was skilled as well as knowledgable on the wine he was sharing.

Breathtaking views and scenery. Katy our guide and driver was exceptional.

Exactly what we had in mind. Grant the guide was perfect for the role. The entire day flew by.

Great location. Easy walk from the bus depot. This is the largest hotel room we have ever stayed in. It had two levels and a washer dryer. The staff were friendly. We did not eat on site, but there were a few lovely options. We did take advantage of the pool and fitness room. Those staff were also very friendly. I especially liked being able to watch the Australian Open in my room.

Historic. Charming. We enjoyed the owners (Michelle (?) and Ross). We ate dinner and breakfast here. Our room was clean, comfortable and updated. We would stay here again.

This was on our Alps to Ocean bike tour. The location is perfect. Great view and two hot tubs (spas). The included dinner was served as a group. You met fellow travelers while seated at larger tables. It was heaps of fun.

Great staff, clean rooms and onsite laundry facility. The best part is the restaurant. Relaxed with a beer in the lounge then on to the buffet dinner with the best selection of salads, appetizers, Asian and local dishes and a roast carving station. We also hade a delicious breakfast the next morning. We needed to leaver early and they opened early.

This place is very quaint with great food and staff. Comfortable clean rooms. Slobodan checked us in and really made us comfortable.

So the check in process was the fastest of any hotel I have ever stayed in. I wish all hotels were ran this way. The staff are competent and chill. The room was clean and comfortable! We loved exploring Oamaru and then relaxing and getting a good night's sleep here.

This hotel was on our way along the Alps to Ocean bike tour. The breakfast in the morning was very delicious.

The view of the lake is amazing. The staff were very kind and brought our breakfast to our room. Very comfortable hotel.

Off the busy street. Friendly staff, clean and comfortable. I just wish the pool was working. Also, the staff and the food in the restaurant where we ate breakfast were wonderful. Delicious!

We got to see so many filming locations as part of this tour. The guides made sure to calibrate their tour based on who was in attendance, so the super LOTR fan and the casual enjoyer (i.e., my husband and myself) could both appreciate and enjoy their time. They brought a flip book to show the scenes and how they were staged for the film, and Pure Glenorchy was also able to get us onto a privately owned location for the Hobbit and to get a better view of Isengaard. And of course the photo opportunity at the end was an awesome touch. It even included a break for afternoon tea in the park in Glenorchy!

Ash was an amazing tour guide for the Kai Bites tour. She took us around to her favorite spots, taking care to point out important history, art, and buildings around Christchurch, including spots that we would not have thought to check out or would have noticed on our own. Ash made sure to point out shops that features local artisans so we could bookmark them for our own time, and when we mentioned our dinner reservation plans, she helped pick out a menu of must haves (which were, to no surprise, amazing recommendations). She clearly has a love for her work and sharing great food with others, and it was such a delight to spend the time with her, which made this a top excursion on our trip.

This was the best part of the trip as someone looking forward to the diverse bird wildlife of New Zealand. The guides were so informed and clearly passionate about their work, so the audio tour component was very informative. We were able to see little spotted kiwis in the wild, a Ruru, and multiple tuatara. And it felt more intimate as a small group walking through Zealandia after dark with provided red flashlights to be able to search the brush for wildlife.

The experience of this rewarding hike was phenomenal. The guides were kind and so fun, helping take photos and explain everything you could see from the top of the crater. The skree down into the crater was the highlight, with the best part being able to go quickly at the bottom.

Excellent

Excellent beyond Excellent

Excellent all around

We enjoyed the views from our room, the glacier boat trip, and the Sir Edmund Hilary museum.

Rooms are very comfortable with gorgeous views. Breakfast is delicious. Maryann was a very gracious hostess.

This is where my wife had her accident. No fault of the guides or trip itself. I add this review to say thanks to the young lady who drove us back to Akaroa. I don't remember her name, but thank you

We travel the world at best small inns etc. Azure is world class. Amazing villa and stunning window views with private deck. Staff was incredible and super friendly and helpful. Small bites, canapes, and breakfast was gourmet. Can't wait to go back!

The Doubtful Sound overnight cruise on the Southern Secret was absolutely unforgettable and one of the highlights of our New Zealand trip. The scenery was breathtaking—towering fjords, waterfalls, and an incredible sense of peace and remoteness. Spending the night in the sound and waking up to misty mountains and complete stillness was magical. The crew was warm and knowledgeable, the food excellent, and the cabins comfortable. A truly special experience that we would highly recommend.

Queenstown House B&B was the highlight of our stay in Queenstown and truly one of the best accommodations of our entire trip. The views were absolutely stunning—waking up to panoramic scenery over Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains was unforgettable. The hosts were warm, welcoming, and incredibly attentive, making us feel at home from the moment we arrived. An added bonus was the wine tasting experience, which was both fun and thoughtfully curated—such a special touch that made our stay feel even more unique and personal. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay in Queenstown and would highly recommend Queenstown House B&B to anyone looking for comfort, beauty, and genuine hospitality.

So close to anything you need in Te Anau!

The apartments are amazing! Laundry was available, perfect after a couple of weeks on the road. I would rent this place for a month and live happily!

The Skyline Gondola in Queenstown is a must-do activity! It provided a fantastic opportunity to get a panoramic view of the town and its breathtaking surroundings. It was a perfect, leisurely experience for our first day in Queenstown, especially since we were still feeling a bit jet-lagged from the flight. Highly recommended for anyone visiting the area!

Visiting the Te Anau Glowworm Caves was a unique experience! While it wasn't a lengthy activity, it served as a delightful icebreaker, especially with such unique views. Although the cave tour itself isn't the centerpiece of Te Anau, it complements the region's beauty and outdoor offerings quite nicely.

Cycling through the Gibbston Valley wineries was a fun and exciting experience, though it had its challenging moments. The suspension bridge was a bit nerve-wracking due to its narrow width, but taking it slow and steady helped. We appreciated the E-bikes as the trails were quite steep in places. We visited three wineries and enjoyed each of them, particularly the relaxed and cozy atmosphere at Gibson Tavern with their delicious stone-baked oven pizzas. Overall, it was an enjoyable day amidst beautiful vineyards!

This is a must! So much fun and the views are spectacular!!

Watch out for Sandflies!!! Bug spray and cover those ankles!!

Staying at the Monte Christo Winery was both elegant and fun. We thoroughly enjoyed the ambiance that the winery offered, adding to the pleasure of our overall trip.

The Distinction Luxmore Hotel was decent considering it's situated in a small town. The location was ideal for walking around, and it met our expectations for that kind of setting.

The Rees Hotel was exceptional. It's one of the nicest hotels I've ever stayed in, with an unbeatable view and surprisingly spacious rooms. The quality and comfort made it a perfect stay.

The wine tasting around Queenstown was delightful and quite fun. Although we found ourselves in the Pinot Noir region, which meant fewer Sauvignon Blanc options, the experience still came with its own charm and surprise. The group was engaging, adding an extra element of fun to the tasting. In the end, we enjoyed the experience and the story we could tell friends back home.

The Heli Hike on the Kepler Track was unfortunately canceled due to weather conditions. They informed us very close to pick-up time, but I appreciated the understanding and professionalism. They provided three alternative options, and I chose a different track which turned out to be a beautiful hike. It was a long enough trek surrounded by scenic landscapes—gorgeous rivers, rapids, waterfalls, and towering trees, along with informative details about nature. It was a fulfilling and enjoyable day despite the initial disappointment.

The room was clean and comfortable. The included breakfast was dismal

A lovely hotel in a great location. The food is amazing -- fresh, local and imaginative.

The hotel is lovely. Our room was spacious and had a view of the mountains. But what made our stay great was the staff. They went above and beyond for every need and request.

What an amazing experience! The remote location made for a beautiful end to our New Zealand adventure. The drive there was a bit unnerving but doable, even in our tiny rental car. The cabin is well-appointed and we enjoyed cooking our dinner with the food we ordered before arriving. Highly recommended if you're looking for complete serenity.

We loved out stay at the Fyffe Country Lodge. Innkeeper Chris and Colin were welcoming and helpful. The location is beautiful and close to town.

We loved our dinner tour with Gracy! He is engaging, knowledgable and charming. Highly recommended

Our guide, Antonio, was amazing -- charming and knowledgable. It was a strenuous hike but well worth the effort. My one complaint is that the provided lunch was pretty unappealing.

Staff were great here. They took our luggage to our room when we went looking for parking (there is only paid parking at this hotel but there are a few cheaper options nearby). It was a high tech hotel where a robot brought us room service. The room had foam rollers, yoga mat, and Alexa echo. Celebrated our anniversary with us with chocolates and a kind note.

Elevator was old and far from our room. There were steps that lead from the hallway to our room so it was difficult to get in at times. The shower was also on the smaller end. My husband who is 5'11 kept hitting his elbow on the wall.

Location was amazing, view was breathtaking, staff was great and helpful

Location was good, parking is easy, laundry is token operated. Sulphur smell could bother some people.

Good location, provided paid parking for your car, celebrated our anniversary with a kiwi friend

Learned a lot about Maori culture and New Zealand history. The Maori family was so welcoming and kept us engaged through the various activities during the experience. However, the food and dining experience has room for improvement.

Stephen was an amazing guide with extensive knowledge of New Zealand’s flora and fauna. My husband and I weren’t sure what to expect going into the experience, but we ended up having a fantastic time. We learned about the silver fern, saw New Zealand possums (much cuter than the ones in the U.S.!), and even learned about the different types of torches (flashlights) used during night walks. We were able to get very close to the glow worms, and Stephen also pointed out many fascinating plants and creatures along the way, including the kawakawa tree, the mānuka tree, the wētā, and, of course, the iconic silver fern. To top it all off, at the end of the walk he treated us to hot cocoa and biscuits, which was a lovely and thoughtful touch and answered all of our questions. If you’re looking for an easy trek and have an interest in New Zealand nature, this is definitely the activity for you.

Very unique hotel if you are looking for something different. Clean & good location. Late 1800’s vibe.

Great hotel, clean & spacious, great location, beautiful private deck

Cannot recommend this hotel enough. Amazing owner, the accommodations are incredible. Beautiful, spacious, unforgettable

Perfect location, beautiful hotel, super friendly staff, highly recommend Very spacious suites Our suite also had a washer & dryer which was awesome!

Darling little cottage! We had amazing service & the cottage was perfect for our needs. Very spacious, charming & unique.

Beautiful hotel, spacious rooms

Super private, clean, all the amenities Restaurant was really good Easy to access washer & dryer Beauty at every turn

Great location, clean & updated Just beware that parking can be tricky unless you pay for hotel parking. We parked on the roads but often times it was a few blocks away.

Beautiful hotel, very clean. Great location.

Super awesome experience! I wasn’t a huge fan of LOTR, but honestly you don’t have to be to enjoy this experience. The guide we had was so great. Super knowledgeable about what scenes were in what areas, made the whole afternoon so fun. I highly recommend!

I wish I could give this 6 stars. Our guides were awesome. Funny & easy to talk to. The kayaks & gear were great. The hot pools were great, so fun to explore the different pools & temperatures. Dinner was great, & the glow worm caves were amazing. Cooler than I expected. The kayaking back in the dark… phenomenal. The night sky was as beautiful as I’d ever seen. Loved every minute of this excursion.

This was AWESOME! We loved the hike down to the lake, very informative pamphlet & we learned a lot about the area. The boat ride was super interesting. Our boat captain was so great, explained what we were seeing & answered all our questions. Highly recommend! Great way to spend the morning!

We loved this Maori culture experience, from the ease of the bus pick up at our hotel, to the authentic Maori war dance upon arrival, & the small group activities & learning. It was awesome. The music & dance show was so entertaining. The food was ok… really small portions. But the experience was great.

This was one of our very favorite days in NZ. Such an amazing & beautiful hike! We loved every second of the 10 mile track. Furneaux Lodge at the end of the hike… such a beautiful setting & delicious lunch. I could have sat there for hours. The boat ride there & back was easy & conveniently located in Picton. Highly recommend!

Super knowledgeable guides Well worth staying up so late! The moon was bright so it wasn’t as spectacular as we’d hoped, but no fault of the company. Just the luck of the draw. Pick up was easy, the entire staff was awesome.

Steamship ride was super fun, the boat is super unique. The sheep sheering & the sheep dog experience was awesome! Food was so so.

Cannot recommend this enough. The flight was amazing, our pilot was amazing, it was unforgettable.

Such an amazing afternoon! Loved our guide, super knowledgeable. We even saw a penguin!!

We didn't really know what to expect with this tour going in but it was definitely one of our highlights. Photos truly cannot capture the beauty of the place.

Very interesting learning more about Maori culture.

Amazing place even for people who've never watched Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit.