Kimkim Trip Reviews for New Zealand

My son and I had an amazing trip to New Zealand in December 2024. I could not have pulled it all together without Michelle from Once upon a trip New Zealand. She was absolutely wonderful to work with. I gave her our wish list and she put together the ultimate itinerary to fit our interests. I would highly recommend Michelle!

Liz was easy to work with and helped me plan my first trip to NZ. She was professional and knowledgeable about the cities I wanted to visit and recommended a few options based on my preferences. The local partner was extremely helpful on the ground to support my tours throughout the 18-day period. They were responsive and provided quick coordination when change was needed. I would highly recommend Liz for New Zealand trips and would love to work with her and the kimkim team again for another trip in the future.

Kimkim arrangements and itinerary for New Zealand was great. Thank you Paula for making the trip super memorable and organized.

We planned our New Zealand trip with Nats and had an amazing experience. Right from the start there was great communication and the trip was tailored to what we were interested in. We were able to make changes and additions to the draft itinerary and weren't made to feel like an inconvenience at all for doing so. Prior to the trip, there were regular check-ins and any pre-travel paperwork was provided to ensure our arrival was seamless. One of our interests for the trip was to see some of the Lord of the Rings filming locations. With Nats also being a LOTR fan, he was able to provide additional suggestions we had not even thought of! I thoroughly enjoyed the day-by-day schedule along with recommendations for stops/attractions in each destination. We were provided vouchers for each of the planned activities ahead of time so we could bring them with for easy check-ins as well. Nats went above and beyond by meeting up with us during our trip and treating us to the delicious cream horn dessert. This trip exceeded our expectations and Nats will be our go-to should we ever make it back.

Activity Reviews

Glenorchy Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour

Queenstown (NZ)

The information provided during this tour was interesting, but if you do your research ahead of time for some of the LOTR filming locations - you could go by yourself without a guide. The 4WD vehicle did allow you to get to some of the harder to get to places - but the "filming locations" there were off in the distance (the guide pointing at a far off mountain peak and saying that was were X scene took place).

Quality of Experience

Although the weather was not ideal, we still had a good time.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Motuara Island Bird and Day in the Sounds

Picton

This was a long day, but completely worth it! The cruises to your destinations were so beautiful and we had a once in a lifetime encounter with a large pod of very playful dolphins along the way. The hike to the top of Motuara Bird Island was short and I would have liked more time to check additional birds off of the list, but saw new ones that would have been hard to find in other locations. The Queen Charlotte Track was just right for us - any longer and we would not have made it back to the ferry in time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Zipline Original Canopy Tour

Rotorua

We had never ziplined prior to this and it was AMAZING. The guides were very knowledgeable and provided a great tour. It was very interesting to hear about the conservation efforts this company puts forth to ensure their forest, the plants and birds are protected. Would highly recommend for anyone interested in supporting local conservation efforts and want to have fun while doing so!

Quality of Experience

Great guides and a fun group

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Super knowledgeable and friendly

Transport

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour, with a Lunch at the Party Marquee

Matamata

For a LOTR fan this is a MUST. It was a magical experience to say the least.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I worked with Monica to put together a self-driving itinerary for my two college-age children through the South and North Island. Monica was great to work with - very knowledgeable, extremely responsive, good at taking input and making thoughtful suggestions, and sensitive to budget. She put together a fantastic trip with a mix of different activities and highlights, many of which we would not have found on our own. While they were on the trip, she responded quickly to any needs they had and the trip went very smoothly and successfully. I would highly recommend Monica and the Kimkim experience. Many thanks Monica!

Activity Reviews

Glowworm Kayak Tour

Rotorua

This was my kids’ favorite part of their North Island experience. They said it was amazing!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience

Rotorua

The kids said the guide for this evening was excellent. Very fun, knowledgeable and interesting. They also raved about the restaurants she took them to. They loved one so much that they went back the next night.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kayak Tasman Glacier Lake

New Zealand

My kids loved their kayaking guide and found him very entertaining. This experience was another highlight of the trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise (Real NZ) on Navigator or Wanderer

New Zealand

This was perhaps the biggest highlight of the trip! My kids loved it! And we would never have thought to do this without Monica’s encouragement.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jet Boat the Shotover River

Queenstown (NZ)

This was one of my kids’ favorite activities on the trip!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a wonderful trip, expertly arranged by Kimkim. Michelle stayed in touch with us constantly to be sure everything was going smoothly. She quickly came up with a solution to a problem with our rental car so that it was no hassle at all for us. All of our accommodations were great. Our tours were perfect for us. I cannot recommend this company enough and would book through them again in a heartbeat.

Hotel Review

Church Hill Boutique Lodge

Stewart Island

Our room was lovely. The service as personal. The food was amazing. We loved this place.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The big hill up was a bit challenging, but Chris will come down to pick you up. A lovely location.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Te Anau Glowworm Caves

Te Anau

I cannot say enough about how amazing this was.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kiwi Spotting Encounter

Stewart Island

Dan was a great, knowledgeable guide. We saw kiwi!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We did see kiwi, because Chris really knew what he was doing.

Liz Neal was absolutely amazing to work with. Her organization, expertise & detail created the opportunity for a trip of a lifetime!

Highlights included:
- Waiheke Island Hop on Hop Off Bus
- Rotorua Glow Work Kayak
- Mt Tarawera Crater Walk
- Maori Dining Experience
- Pohue Purepod
- Lake Tekapo
- Cass Valley 4WD Tour
- Mt Cook; Glacier Boat Trip & Helicopter
- Queenstown; Funyak River Safari
- Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Hotel Reviews

InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, an IHG Hotel

Natadola, Fiji

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Rees Hotel

Queenstown

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Hermitage Hotel

Mount Cook Village

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Grand Suites

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

PurePod

Pohue

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Regent of Rotorua

Rotorua

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

M Social

Auckland

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Skyline Gondola Ride

Queenstown (NZ)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Navigator Overnight Cruise Return ex Zqn - Private Cabin. Includes Dinner & Full Breakfast

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Garden Onsen Outdoor Soak (From 5pm) 1 hour -

Queenstown (NZ)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full-Day Jet-Boat Adventure & Funyak River Safari

Queenstown (NZ)

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mt Cook & The Glaciers

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Glacier Boat Trip -

Aoraki / Mount Cook Village

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Cass Valley 4WD Backcountry tour

Lake Tekapo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Spend the night at your offgrid glass cabin

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tu Te Ra - Maori Cultural Dining Experience

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Mt Tarawera Crater Walk Experience Morning

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Twilight Glow Worm Kayak Experience - 3 hour guided

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Auckland to Rotorua visiting Hobbiton with lunch

Auckland

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We absolutely loved our trip to New Zealand! Michelle was fantastic in helping us understanding some of the amazing places and activities available. We really we were able to do and see much more with her help in organizing and planning from biking, rafting, hiking, flying, fjord's, ballooning, glaciers, star gazing, jet boating and majestic scenery. We loved our visit impart because of Michelle's help and expertise.

Activity Reviews

Mt Cook half day Heli Hike

New Zealand

wow

The Crater Experience - stargazing Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

amazing experience in seeing our universe.

Rafting Kaituna River, grade 5

Rotorua

Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience

Rotorua

Timber Trail day 2

Ongarue

Timber Trail Day 1

Ongarue

Eco Zip - Flying Fox ziplines & Native Walks Experience

New Zealand

Ferry to Waiheke Island

Auckland

Fly Cruise Fly – Queenstown to Milford Sound by scenic flight

New Zealand

Jet Boat the Shotover River

Queenstown (NZ)

We had a great time. The planning looked like it took a lot of work. The only activity that we did not do was the dinner at Ahi and we were not picked up at the airport. The accommodations were nice. The only issue was the Chalet Queenstown. It was a little loud, hot and the limited breakfast times did not fit our schedule either day that we were there. The pure pod was awesome. If possible we would definitely use this company again. Thank you for your help and hard work.

Hotel Reviews

Sudima Auckland City

Auckland

It was a basic hotel. It did the job.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Chalet Queenstown

Queenstown

This was a cute place. There were some issues. It was very hot and loud in our room so it was difficult to sleep. The breakfast was only from 8a to 9:30a. We had to be out before 8a both days that we were there. The hostess did make sure that we had some cereal and toast. My husband had to wake her up on the day we were leaving because she had us blocked it with her car. There were so many hotels in that city with views of the lake but our room had a view into the house next door.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

PurePod Rakiura Stewart Island (Hananui)

Christchurch

This was a very interesting experience. I loved it. It was a bit of a hike to get to but very much worth it. I would have liked to have had the electrical power to dry my hair but it worked out. I was sad to leave.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Hermitage Hotel

Mount Cook Village

Nice hotel. The rooms were pretty basic but the views were outstanding. They provided the best breakfast during our trip. We were able to walk to our scheduled activity and to a few hikes.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Vicarage Geraldine

Geraldine

This hotel was unique. I loved it. There were so many thoughtful details. The location was great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Prince's Gate Hotel

Rotorua

This hotel was unique and we had a great stay. The staff was very nice and the breakfast was good. We got to walk to most of our activities from the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Safari of the scenes Glenorchy (LOTR)

New Zealand

This was a nice tout. The scenery was great and the guide was friendly.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fly Cruise Fly – Queenstown to Milford Sound by scenic flight

New Zealand

Great experience. The flight was great. We had so many amazing views. The cruise was also great.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kayak Tasman Glacier Lake

New Zealand

It was okay. There wasn't much to it even though it was 5 hours long. Most of the time was walking to the location and getting the boats set up. The guide was very intense. This is one that we probably wouldn't do again.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Glowworm Paddle Board Tour

Rotorua

This was an amazing experience. Kayaking at night was very cool, the glow worms were beautiful, and the star gazing was amazing. It was a little cold and late but not much can be done about that.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Zipline Canopy Tour

Rotorua

This activity was a lot of fun. It was nice that they put so much about conservation into the tour. The staff was wonderful.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Te Pā Tū Māori Feast & Performance

Rotorua

It was nice that the company drove us to the location from a convenient location. It was interactive and interesting. The dinner was good. It rained on us a little bit but it was still good.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

New Zealand

We loved this tour. It was one of the first things we did and it set the trip off well. The drive there was beautiful. The tour was great .

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ahi Restaurant - 4 snacks and 4 courses

Auckland

We canceled our reservation because after looking at the menu, I was not confident there was going to be anything I would like.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This is our third global trip with KimKim and is was good service but not great. Our last two trips the specialists were so excited to get us to the perfect spots (hotel, winery, guide). This trip felt like it was a generic trip planes for anyone. We found most of the great spots ourselves with help from the locals.

I will definitely use KimKim again but hope to get the “exceptional service” is usually get.

I had the absolute best time on my New Zealand trip, all thanks to KimKim and their amazing local guide Michelle! From start to finish, everything was organized so seamlessly that all I had to do was show up and enjoy the adventure.

I kicked things off in Auckland, where I was greeted with a hotel room that had a window view so beautiful it felt like I was in a postcard. Day one started with a bang at the Weta Workshop, which is an absolute must for any movie buff. Michelle called me on day two to check in and casually save the day by reminding me that Ubers were a great way to get around. Later, I was whisked away to pick up my rental car, and drove to Hobbiton, which felt like stepping into a dream.

Michelle made sure I always had enough time to get from city to city without ever feeling rushed and the hotels were consistently stellar. She also hit it out of the park with her activity recommendations. The Maori Cultural Experience in Rotorua? Unforgettable. The Waitomo Glowworm Caves, zip-lining and the Wai-O-Tapu hot springs? Pure magic!

Every single activity was thoughtfully chosen and perfectly tailored to my tastes. Even the little touches were perfect—like the recommended restaurants and lunch stops, which came in so handy. If you’re on the fence about booking with KimKim -- just do it! I trusted their judgment completely, and they delivered in every way.

Can’t wait to book my next trip with them!

Hotel Reviews

QT Wellington

Wellington

Authenticity & Character

Loved the creative, museum-like flair of the hotel.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Millennium Hotel & Resort Manuels Taupo

Taupo

Authenticity & Character

Location

The views were amazing, the staff was super friendly and don't get me started on their breakfast. One of the best I've ever had at any hotel so far.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Regent of Rotorua

Rotorua

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

M Social

Auckland

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Lake Taupō Cruise to the Māori Rock Carvings

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Glowworm Paddle Board Tour

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

A once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Zipline Canopy Tour

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

A dream come true for any movie buff!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Being at a loss on how to plan a trip to New Zealand, we came across this company through an internet search. Paula became our contact and adviser and she put together a well-tailored holiday for our needs. Everything went off smoothly from landing in Queenstown until handing in our hire car at Auckland airport. We really enjoyed our trip to Milford Sound and our guide Paulie, was brilliant. Another highlight was our Rob Roy Glacier tour at Wanaka. Our guide Thierry was fantastic and made the trip so enjoyable despite my throbbing feet. Sadly we couldn’t do our tours at Mount Cook due to poor weather but we made the most of the available walks and were taken aback when Aoraki finally made an appearance from behind the clouds on our last day.

It was then off to Rotorua where we watched our daughter compete at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships. The Big Kanu glow worm tour was fascinating, as was the Hells Gate experience. We were a little disappointed with the Kahukiwi experience as it seemed a little disorganised and unstructured although the guide was friendly and extremely helpful.

In summary, a well organised and satisfying first trip to New Zealand. We would have no hesitation in recommending your company to others. Our thanks to Paula for putting all together and putting up with our endless messages.

Thanks!

Hotel Reviews

Airedale Boutique Suites

Auckland

Well situated hotel in the business district of Auckland. Handy valet parking took the stress out of finding a car park on our own. Modern comfortable rooms with all the amenities we required. Recommended.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Chateau on the Park -

Christchurch

Our favourite hotel during our holiday. Comfortable rooms, great location and even played a game of outdoor chess. Only criticism: our check in was delayed by a couple of hours due to airline staff being given permission to check out late. Took a bit too long with only a drink voucher to make up for it.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Hermitage Hotel

Mount Cook Village

The place to stay in this area with commanding views of Mount Cook when the clouds clear. Our room although well equipped was on the small side and felt a little cramped. Apart from driving and walking around the beautiful scenery, there isn’t much else to do here. Maybe other activities could be offered when the weather is bad and organised tours get cancelled. All we got was a refund which was fine but perhaps alternatives would be more enjoyable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Edgewater Wanaka

Lake Wānaka

This was a beautiful hotel next to the lake in a tranquil setting. Like being in the centre of a golf course. Although the rooms were well equipped, our room seemed antiquated, with a tired bathroom. Maybe up for renovation soon?

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Scenic Suites Queenstown

Queenstown

Handy apartments for visiting Queenstown. Very comfortable with all the amenities. Only observation was to try to avoid getting a room too close to the road as happened to us. People walking by could look into our apartment and there was traffic noise.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Half Day Kahukiwi Experience

Rotorua

Our Māori guide was a lovely man but the tour lacked structure with just information being thrown at us in a haphazard manner. We did learn about some of the legends but this tour could have been a lot better.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Hell's Gate Experience

Rotorua

Fascinating to see these geysers and hot pools bubbling away. Lethal if you fall in! The mud bath experience was also enjoyable. Recommended!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Redwoods Treewalk day

Rotorua

A comfortable stroll through these amazing trees along walkways and platforms. Nothing. We enjoyed our visit.

Quality of Experience

Big Kanu Starlight Glow Worm Tour

Rotorua

Fascinating to see these glow worms in action when night starts creeping in. The guides were quite entertaining too. Recommended!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Rob Roy Glacier ex Wanaka

Wānaka

We were the only people doing this tour that day. Our guide Thierry was fantastic, from picking us up to guiding us along the walk, sharing his favourite tree with us and sorting us out with lunch. Highly recommended to anyone capable of walking over uneven ground for several hours. You won’t regret it!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Thierry was great!

Transport

Bumpy ride

Full Day Gourmet Scenic Wine Tour

Queenstown (NZ)

Enjoyed our trip to the vineyards and we were lucky with the weather. Finally know a bit more about NZ wines. The meal was interesting and enjoyable. A good day out.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise from Queenstown (2 days, 1 night)

Queenstown (NZ)

An overnight tour here was the best thing to do to avoid most of the day cooped up in a coach or car. Milford Sound was a brooding and cascading experience that we would recommend. Hats off to Paulie our guide, who provided so much information about New Zealand and the trip whilst driving us effortlessly through the winding roads.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Paulie was excellent.

Transport

We had a wonderful trip and Paula did a great job pulling together such a fun trip given how logistically challenging it was with the IM 70.3 race being in Taupo. The hop on hop off ferry/bus ride to Waiheke Island was perfect for our first day, easy to access the ferry, take our time visiting little shops, do some archery and wine tasting. We loved the MSocial hotel in Auckland with super helpful staff, clean comfortable rooms, perfect views and great location. The rental truck worked perfect for all of our luggage and bike case. It would have been helpful to have more detailed instructions about how to navigate the rental return as there are two terminals at Auckland and two rental returns.
Raglan was my daughter's favorite place and we could not get enough of the bakeries and huge black sand beaches. The Coromandel area is absolutely beautiful. On our drive there we stopped at a Lavender Farm to pick blueberries and have some lavender/blueberry icecream. Although Whitianga is a lovely town, we would have preferred to stay in a town either on Hot Water Beach or closer to Cathedral Cove since that is where we spent most of our time and the driving is quite challenging on the very hilly curvy roads there. Also our stay at the Sovereign Pier was not as we hoped since it really was not a 4 star (more just a poorly supplied rental place) and was on a marina not near the beach at all so the description of this place was misleading.
Other than that we had an amazing trip and thankful for KimKim scheduling all our tours which were fantastic.
Thank you so much.

I started looking on places to go on my son’s winter break. Were from San Diego so finding a place with a better weather or more beautiful can be a task. I landed on going to New Zealand and was contacted by a few companies who help planing a trip. Monika contacted me and followed through everything she said. She called me and answer all my questions via phone call. She planned my itinerary and modified it according to my needs (I have 2 little ones). She made sure I’m comfortable and let me know she’s here for me for anything I need. I just got back from a wonderful 2 weeks in New Zealand and couldn’t be happier. I was relaxed and saw all I could in those 2 weeks. The team and especially Monika were easy to talk to and available for me during my stay with every bump that had happened.
Thank you so much Monika for an unforgettable experience!!!

Hotel Reviews

M Social

Auckland

Really nice hotel. Super central

Authenticity & Character

Very modern

Location

Amazing location. Walking distance to restaurants and ferry

Staff

Friendly staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very comfortable and clean

River Birches Lodge

Turangi

I posted a google review for this accommodation. Simply beautiful and so calm. Everything we wanted and more

Authenticity & Character

Beatiful hotel, very clean

Location

Very close to stores and hike

Staff

Jason was our host and he contacted us daily to make sure we have all we need. He also helped with reservations and suggested what should we do on the days we had no olans

Cleanliness & Comfort

Super clean and comfortable

Activity Reviews

Hawke's Bay Half Day Wine Tour

Napier

By far our most successful activity. The kids loved it and we got to see areas you don’t get to see from the car

Quality of Experience

The view, the wine and the freedom

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was flexible and offered solutions to difficulty we had

Transport

Came on time

Gannet Safaris

New Zealand

Really nice experience if you love bords

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide was funny and very knowledgeable

Explore the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves

New Zealand

Amazing, beautiful. A must see

Quality of Experience

It’s was unique

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very knowledgeable guide

Our recent trip to New Zealand, planned by Michelle from KimKim, was an incredible journey filled with stunning landscapes, unique experiences, and some memorable accommodations. While most of the trip met and/or exceeded our expectations, there were a few areas for improvement. Here's a detailed review:

Christchurch – The Mayfair Hotel
The Mayfair Hotel was a perfect start to our adventure. The modern and stylish rooms were a delight, and the on-site restaurant stood out with its creative breakfast menu and delicious smoothies. Its central location made it easy to explore Christchurch, and we truly appreciated the thoughtfulness behind this choice of accommodation.

Matai Peak
Staying at Matai Peak was an absolute highlight. Perched on a remote summit, this quirky and rugged accommodation offered spectacular views of the mountains and the sea. The outdoor bathroom with its breathtaking views was unlike anything we’ve experienced before. Our host was wonderful, providing thoughtful provisions that made our stay comfortable and enjoyable. Matai Peak was truly a one-of-a-kind experience.

Marlborough Sounds
The Marlborough Sounds were stunning, and hiking through the area was an adventure we’ll never forget. That said, the hike we undertook was much longer than we expected, and we felt rushed to reach the pickup point on time. We would have appreciated more detailed information about the hike’s length and difficulty. In hindsight, an overnight stay along the track would have allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the beauty of the Sounds and return to Picton more comfortably.

Wellington
We absolutely loved Wellington and wished we had spent more time there! The vibrant city offered a wonderful mix of culture, food, and scenic views. In retrospect, we would have preferred to allocate more time here, or enjoy an overnight on Lake Taupo instead of spending two nights in Rotorua, which, while interesting, didn’t leave as strong an impression on us.

Rotorua and Hobbiton
Rotorua was enjoyable, but the highlight in this region was undoubtedly Hobbiton. The tour through the movie set was magical and a must-visit for any fan of The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit. It’s beautifully maintained, and the experience truly brought the fantasy world to life - and we had not even seen the movies (but will do so now).

Castaways Resort
Unfortunately, the last accommodation of our trip at Castaways Resort was disappointing. While the property was very clean and overlooked a beach and the ocean, neither was truly accessible. Additionally, there was little to do in the area, making it an underwhelming end to an otherwise spectacular trip. We wouldn’t recommend ending a trip here. Staying in downtown Auckland would have been a far better choice, offering more activities, dining, and a livelier atmosphere to wrap up the adventure on a high note.

Final Thoughts
Overall, this trip was an extraordinary experience, with many standout moments like Matai Peak, Marlborough Sounds, and Wellington. While there were some missteps in the itinerary, such as the super long drive from Wellington to Rotorua and the accommodation at Castaways Resort or the rushed hike in the Marlborough Sounds, the majority of the trip was well-planned and thoughtfully tailored to our preferences.

GOOD MACRO-PLANNING, BUT NOT A HIGH-TOUCH PREMIUM EXPERIENCE. DO NOT RECOMMEND.

Our recent experience with Kimkim for a 12-day trip to New Zealand was a mixed bag. The macro-level planning was well done, but the on-the-ground support and communication left a lot to be desired. While some aspects of the trip were commendable, the lack of communication, flexibility, and local expertise lead us to not recommend Kimkim - the value addition just does not justify the mark-up and the positioning as a true full-service travel experience provider.

The Positives: Macro Planning and Wine Tastings

Kimkim delivered on several key aspects of the trip, including:

- Accommodation Choices: The hotels were well-selected, and room arrangements were thoughtfully organized to accommodate our group of seven. This is a complex task, and they executed it well. Same for the car rentals.

- Wine Tasting Experiences: The wine-tasting tours were excellent, particularly the private tasting at Cloudy Bay in Marlborough and the private wine trip to Hawkes Bay with Edward.

- Big Picture Planning: The overall itinerary covered many major highlights of New Zealand. We covered a lot of ground in the South as well as the North Island.

Unfortunately, these successes were overshadowed by significant failures in execution.

The Negatives: Communication, Support, and Flexibility

Complete Lack of Communication During the Trip
Not once during the 12-day trip did we receive a single email, call, or message from Kimkim to check on how things were going. Even after the trip, the first communication we got was to ask us for this review! This lack of communication and periodic check-ins was deeply disappointing. Paula, our agent, simply disappeared once the trip began. This is not what we would expect from a full-service travel provider.
There was no day-to-day advice or recommendations for activities like restaurant bookings, particularly for problematic dates such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve, when reservations for a group of seven are challenging. We had to scramble to arrange dining options ourselves, which added unnecessary stress.

Limited Pre-Trip Communication
Important pre-trip details were missing, such as a comprehensive summary of the itinerary, flight and visa information, and other essentials. We almost got stranded at the airport because Paula did not remind us to get the New Zealand E-visa. I know this was buried in the communication before the trip, but with US passports, we are not used to getting visas for friendly countries like NZ. We had to apply for the visas at the airport, and the airline refused to let us board until we got the visas. We had to plead and grovel to get on the plane!!

Emails lacked clear subject lines, making it difficult to locate important information. A more professional and organized communication approach would have been much more helpful.

Poor Flexibility and Rigid Alternatives
When we canceled a day-long cruise because we didn’t want to spend two full days on boats (which should not have been organized in the first place, given we had told Paula that two kids had motion sickness issues), we were offered another rigid, unsuitable alternative: an 8-hour tour to an Alpaca farm. This suggestion failed to account for the fact that we had rental cars and could have used that day for a more flexible, self-guided itinerary. We felt that there was a lack of creative, personalized alternatives when changes were requested.

No Local Expertise or On-the-Ground Support
Our trip planner was based in the U.S., not in New Zealand, leading to a significant disconnect. There was no local contact who could provide timely advice or support. When we had the airport fiasco, Paula was in bed as it was midnight in the US. This is unacceptable. We were told to deal with the "local person" Sherry Li, who does not work for kimkim. It seems that Kimkim relies on outsourcing to third-party operators, which added confusion as we never knew who to call for specific issues, and left us feeling stranded when problems arose.

Excessive Markup Without Justifiable Value
Kimkim acts more like a middleman, outsourcing tasks rather than providing direct, hands-on service.
For the premium price we paid (including what appears to be a 50% markup), we expected seamless service and personalized support. Instead, we received vague guidance, poor communication, and a frustrating lack of accountability.

Summary
While Kimkim excelled in planning the macro-level logistics of our trip—such as hotels and wine tastings—their lack of communication, inflexibility, and absence of local expertise made the experience less enjoyable than it could have been. The complete absence of follow-up during the trip, no day-to-day advice or support, and reliance on third-party operators detracted from what should have been a smooth and enjoyable experience. For the price we paid, Kimkim should have provided comprehensive support, timely communication, and a personalized touch. Instead, they acted as a middleman, adding complexity rather than simplifying our journey. Given these issues, we cannot recommend Kimkim and will not use their services again.

Hotel Review

Adina Apartment Hotel Auckland Britomart

Auckland

Excellent penthouse 3-bedroom apartment. Great amenities and good location. Ultra modern design. The breakfast can be avoided - lots of local places near the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Very modern and clean.

Location

Close to harbor and local restaurants.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nice kitchen, appliances, bathrooms

Activity Reviews

Half Day Private Luxury Wine Tour

Blenheim

Cloudy Bay is a must-visit for wine lovers. And our private tasting at the "Shack" was outstanding!!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our host was amazing! Ask for Swafka

Transport

We drove ourselves!!

Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise (ex Queenstown)

Queenstown (NZ)

Beautiful views. Excellent natural beauty. A bit long (4 steps - bus, boat, bus, boat!) and the actual cruise is only 3 hours out of a 12 hour trip!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Too long!

Skyline Gondola Ride

Queenstown (NZ)

Excellent views! Must do in Queenstown to see the whole town from the top of the hill.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

No guide used.

Transport

Could not get Uber to work!

We have SO MANY wonderful memories & photos from the trip thanks to Michelle's guidance in planning and pacing. We were trying to identify our favorites on the journey home, and had a really hard time narrowing it down as there was at least one special experience each of our 15 days in-country!
If we were to pick our top 3 activities: Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise, Glacier Explorer Tour, and Hobbiton. We also really loved both of the local tours Michelle arranged (4WD experience in Cass Valley & Country Tour of Geraldine). The guide for the latter was particularly generous with his time, local knowledge, & willingness to share a Kiwi perspective on all kinds of topics as we took in the sights.
And top 3 accommodations: Ruru PurePod (the breakfast & dinner included - just an amazing experience all around), the Vicarage in Gerladine, & the Lodge at Mount Cook (bc of the fabulous view of Mount Sefton from our room).

Hotel Reviews

The Great Ponsonby ArtHotel

Auckland

Fun, quirky B&B with a very nice host. Lots of personality and local history in the decor. We had a room with a lovely little sitting area over the garden that we enjoyed for several hours. Great breakfast service. Conveniently located in the arts district and just a few minutes driving from downtown Auckland. Only negative was that the bed itself was extremely hard.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sudima Lake Rotorua

Rotorua

We would not elect to stay at this property again, nor would we recommend booking for others. It was not very clean - there was hair from previous guests and either black mold or corrosion on many of the fixtures in the bathroom, as well as just a lot of wear, tear, dust, & staining on the furniture, bathroom floor & fixtures. They had a little sticker asking us to "please excuse any staining from the sulfur in the water" but I didn't perceive that to be the only cause. The window had been left open, allowing the sulfur-rich air from the adjacent lake to permeate everything with humidity & unpleasant smell. The balcony was just plain uninviting, and the walls were very thin, making the noise from other guests in the hallways and courtyard very hard to ignore. We seriously considered calling the travel agent for an alternative, but stayed only because we did not have time before our dinner commitment to manage re-booking / relocating and already had an activity weather cancelation issue for the next day they were working on.

Authenticity & Character

Clearly recently renovated lobby / restaurant & decent courtyards, but very tired guest rooms and associated hallways.

Location

It's siting on the edge of the sulfur-rich lake = overpowering smell everywhere. Balconies are present but unusable because of this and the huge air-handling units sitting on them.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cleanliness of guest room, insulation / sound-dampening of guest rooms, replacement or fixing up of some of the furniture & fixtures.

Christchurch City Hotel

Christchurch

Good hotel in the city center. Very convenient to many of the central tourist spots. Similar amenities to many of the mid-range chain hotels we're used to in the US, but room was a little more spacious, which was handy since we were re-packing / shuffling souvenirs at this point in the trip. We had a hard time with parking, as it required interacting with the front desk multiple times, and we were there over a holiday, so it wasn't staffed full-time & the gate to the garage they had specified was lowered & locked on the holiday itself. We ended up finding our own surface parking, down the street.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

A bit more clear in instructions & communication ahead of holiday non-staffing periods.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Vicarage Geraldine

Geraldine

Really cool property that is clearly a much-loved passion-project for the owners. Definitely in our top 2 accommodations for this trip! Bed & bath were the epitome of luxury, the shared sitting rooms were so inviting, and the location is super-convenient to dining, shopping & main roads. Loved the simple, contactless check-in process, but we also used the help number during our visit and were attended to promptly.

Authenticity & Character

Loved how they incorporated so much of the property history into the design!

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise - Southern Secret

Great quality for a boat berth! Bathroom was small, but had separate sink & a shower corner, so actually larger than I expected, being accustomed to boats with wet-baths.

Authenticity & Character

It's a boat!! Loved being out on the decks, dining in the saloon, and going out in the little tinder boat for a closer look at the little cove.

Location

Definitelt convinced this is the best way to experience Doubtful Sound, & it is beyond beautiful.

Staff

The whole crew was courteous, welcoming, and knowledgeable, but the nature guide was particularly good and shared all kinds of great info on the weather patterns and fauna of the region during our trip.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Only reason is not 5-stars are because of things you would expect on a boat - thin walls, a little footstep clanging on the stairwell, & the last that they had to leave the engine / generator & many exterior lights on at night for safety.

Ramada Suites Queenstown

Queenstown

Great, convenient location for walking to main tourist areas in Queenstown without actually being right in the nightlife / bustle. Good partially-obstrcted view from our room, too. Standard but good-quality chain hotel amenities & services. Front desk staff were universally welcoming, polite & helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

PurePod Central Otago (Taima)

(Note: This review is for the Ruru PurePod instead of the one listed, due to schedule change. ) Just an amazing experience all around! We enjoyed the drive & walk across the farm to reach the Pod, the tranquility, amenities, stargazing, and local food. The bed was so comfy & the shower / bathroom was so much nicer than we expected for an off-grid experience - true luxury quality. We requested dinner & breakfast with our stay and the hosts really delivered a thoughtful and delicious menu that was a pleasure to eat while enjoying the view. Only one warning: the hike from the "carpark" is a little steep, so definitely recommend packing in as little with you as possible!

Authenticity & Character

True eco-friendly luxury achieved!

Location

Private, secluded, gorgeous 300°+ mountain & valley views

Staff

Left thoughtful welcome note + information & instructions for meals, local activities, & about the history of the property / current owners & plans.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

New Zealand

Fantastic, especially for Tolkien fans! Clearly done with respect to the source material, and as magically quaint as we had hoped. The tour guide was great, dropping little tidbits about the making of all the movies & construction of the sets, but without ruining the magic behind it. (I also really enjoyed learning about the Alexanders' farm operation & how they are running the tourism stuff in parallel today.) We both loved getting to go inside the hobbit hole near the end of the tour & having a pint at the Green Dragon. There were so many opportunities for photos & just enjoying all the "Easter eggs" the designers included in each hole design - the tour could easily have been twice as long in duration for adults, but I did notice the timing was pretty perfect for the kiddos in our group.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Loved the drive across the beautiful, rolling farmland and the video that accompanied it each way. Really helped get you in the Middle Earth mindset!

Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience

Rotorua

Great learning experience & delicious meal. Very talented staff in the show & excellent service throughout the night. The interactive activities at the learning stations were a great way to understand more about the meaning of the performance elements before seeing it & to give guests a chance to ask questions. The staff did a really nice job acknowledging it was a performance while also asking for respect of the source material & deeper meaning of some of the rituals for those participating in them. I don't know how they did it or if it was just luck, but our dinner seating couldn't have been more perfect - we were with two other young adult to middle-aged couples who all enjoyed traveling & spoke English, so had great dinner conversations, too.

Quality of Experience

Food

Great selection of options & very accommodating of allergies / dietary needs.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transport by bus out to the village w/ narration was a nice touch to help get you in the right frame of mind. Turned out that they picked up & dropped off from our hotel, even though we had gone over to a different meeting location indicated by our planner - so that would have been nice to know in advance to save us travel & waiting time. The sing-along by the driver at the end of the night was a little cheesy & repetitive of the concluding dinner entertainment. Would have been more enjoyable if the mic on the bus hadn't repeatedly cut in & out with loud squeaking noises.

Country tour of Geraldine

Geraldine

Our tour guide, a local farmer (whose name I've blanked on already 🫠) was excellent & joined in our rental for a driving tour around the area. He gave us a great history lesson about NZ, the tribal wars, the ongoing debates in Parliament between the Maori & settlers' descendants over the terms of the original treaties, the farming history and trends, and its native forests - as we passed farms filled with sheep, cattle, dairy herds, red deer, and crops (wheat, corn, hay, alfalfa, clover, & fodder beets). After visiting a lovely little church and learning about how the settlers constructed it from native resources, we enjoyed a picnic tea service at a park, and then walked up into a small portion of protected native forest to view huge, old Tōtara tree. It was beautiful, and the ferns & moss along the walk to it were just as lovely. We then made our way over to view & learn about the huge river-water retention pools & distribution channels they constructed in the 1930's that have enabled the shareholders to triple farming capabilities in the region. Along the way, we engaged in fascinating conversations about all kinds of other topics - it was a fantastic way to get a Kiwi perspective on the world!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Cass Valley Backcountry Tour

New Zealand

Our driver / guide, Steve, did a great job sharing about the local area, farming / ranching practices, outdoor sports, and wildlife, while navigating the challenging route & adeptly spotting aforementioned wildlife roaming the mountains, fields, and tarns for us to view. The local chocolate & glacial spring water stop at the waterfall & cabin was an unexpected & much appreciated treat. The variety of terrain we covered in just a few hours was amazing & really helps you appreciate the ruggedness of the region.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise (Real NZ) on Navigator or Wanderer

New Zealand

Top quality experience all-round, and the most memorable & unique of our trip. The location is absolutely stunning - from Lake Manapouri, over the Wilmot Pass, throughout the fjord, & even at the edge of the Tazman Sea. Staff were excellent, & knowledgeable. Accommodations were even better than I expected for a relatively small ship. Meals were great, too. We had unusually pleasant weather & thoroughly enjoyed it, but now also really want to go back in the rain to experience all the wet-weather-only waterfalls.

Quality of Experience

Food

Fjord-boards & dinner were excellent, especially the complex salads & ceviche fish.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boat captains, bus drivers & staff on the ship were all excellent & clearly skilled at their respective jobs.

Historic Steamship Cruise to Walter Peak Farm + BBQ Dinner

Queenstown (NZ)

Great way to see the lake & mountains, delicious dinner, cool old ship, and nice sheep shearing & herding demo. The boat rides were lovely bookends to the evening. Would have loved just a bit more info in the farm show on the current operations and a little more time after it to view the animals, walk the grounds, & poke around the shop.

Quality of Experience

Food

Excellent selection & quality. Staff could have been a bit more organized in releasing folks to the buffet - some people got a little pushy around the seafood station, even though there was clearly plenty available.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Historic steam ship is really cool, and they allow you to view the engine room in operation.

Skyline Gondola Ride

Queenstown (NZ)

Awesome views over Christchurch. Smoothest gondola I've ridden on. Great staff & lots of activities once you're at the top. The luge was very well designed and a real blast. Fun to watch others parachuting off the mountain-side and gliding down into the city, as well as the boats zipping around the lake below from the viewing platform & restaurant area.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our time in New Zealand was amazing because the country was absolutely gorgeous and our local specialist, Michelle, booked us into some really great accommodations and events. Some of the highlight experiences I would recommend for others:
-Christchurch walking/food tour
-Kaikoura: Haipuku Lodge and Tree Houses was a gorgeous property, with great meals! On top of that, the Haipuku Kitchen Seasonal Feast cooking class was a wonderful experience with great hosting by Fiona and Becca. If you get a chance, this wasn't an official itinerary item but you should go to Nin's Bin for super fresh caught crawfish/lobster!
-Lake Tekapo Farm Tours stargazing: We got to take advantage of the dark sky reserve to really soak in a gorgeous night sky and beautiful near-full moon.
-Lake Tekapo Lodge was a great accommodation with really friendly hosts that made that stay but it sounds like those hosts will be retiring so can't vouch for the new owners
-Cass Valley Backcountry Tour was an amazing 4WD tour with a personal tour guide of the space -- one of our favorite experiences of the entire trip!
-Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise was my personal highlight of the trip; a fun mix of activities (kayaking, fishing, sightseeing) plus delicious meals (fresh fish and crawfish/lobster) and stellar hosting by Shaun and Juanita. Bring lots of bug repellant because the sandflies are absolute terrors; I'm still scratching a couple of bites from them.
-Ahi restaurant in Auckland was delicious and absolutely worth checking out!

Regarding our local specialist, though -- she quite honestly could have been more on top of trip details (there were multiple examples I can cite) but these issues *thankfully* did not ruin the trip.

Our trip to New Zealand north island went well and we were very pleased with the arrangements Liz made for us. All of the transportation and lodging reservations worked without any problem. Two local contractors backed out of their commitments: Barefoot Sailing in Paihia, and Taiao Adventures in Rotorua. For the first, Rie Fujita with Southern World found a replacement contractor, Carino Wildlife Cruises, which turned out to be really terrific, and we thoroughly enjoyed our excursion with them in the Bay of Islands. For the second, we arranged with Tom of Foris Eco-tours to spend an additional day visiting the Whirinaki Forest with guide Carl. All of the day trips with Foris Eco-tours were very rewarding and we would highly recommend them. The Waitomo Glowworm Caves day trip with Cheeky Kiwi Travel was enjoyable as well. I would recommend adding their visit to Te Puia for the Māori cultural tour and thermal features. We added this to our tour and found it well worth while.

Michelle was amazing. She seemed to know what we needed even more than we did! The accommodations were exactly what we liked and their locations couldn't have been any better. The tours she arranged and extra suggestions she provided were wonderful.
Thank you again Michelle for everything you did to make this a perfect holiday.

Hotel Reviews

Criffel Peak View B&B and Apartment

Wanaka

Room was nice and breakfast was ok. The hosts are a little 'intense', but nice enough. Parking was a bit of an issue.

Distinction Te Anau Hotel And Villas

Te Anau

Having a hotel room that looks right out onto the lake was wonderful. Comfortable room and good breakfast provided. Good location.

Aoraki Court Motel

Aoraki/Mt Cook Village

A pretty basic hotel room. The scenery was beautiful but getting around the village and finding parking with all of the tourists was a little crazy. But couldn't have asked for a better location

The Vicarage Geraldine

Geraldine

This was one of our favourite accommodations. The renovation work and history behind it is beautiful. The best laid-out bathroom of all of our stays. Breakfast next door was great.

Pear Orchard Lodge

Nelson

Very unique accommodation. Our rooms were nice and we appreciated the use of the large kitchen. Quiet with beautiful scenery

QT Wellington

Wellington

Loved this place. So unique and wonderful breakfasts!

Mountain Heights Lodge

Ruapehu

The room was comfortable and had everything we needed. Good location. The only problem was the highway traffic noise at night.

Timber Trail Lodge

Ongarue

Food was great, room was comfortable and scenery spectacular.

Woodlyn Park

It may be ok if you have young kids as it is unique. As an older couple, it was very dated and needed some attention.

The Great Ponsonby ArtHotel

Auckland

Great breakfast and good location

Activity Reviews

Doubtful Sound Day Cruise

New Zealand

We lucked out in the fact that it was a beautiful sunny day after a rainstorm the day before. So there was still water in the waterfalls but clear skies so that you could see for miles. Enjoyed the catamarans (although it got a little long towards the end) and everything was run VERY smoothly. Good guides. Loved it.

Cycling the Hawea and Wanaka Trails

New Zealand

Loved this! The scenery was beautiful, the guide was informative and there was just enough easy and hard biking to make it interesting.

The Road to Mesopotamia - High Country Station 4WD tour

Geraldine

Partly our fault. We had read the description of a different tour with a similar name. We thought we would be going on a tour of a sheep farm with a sheep shearing demonstration, etc. that included lunch and wine and all of the trimmings. This tour consisted of riding in a large touring van (4WD description was slightly misleading) for 7 hours, mostly on gravel roads, with short stops to point out trees and livestock. There was no sheep farm tour, no 4WD like we were expecting (Jeep or ATV), lunch consisted of half a sandwich with a piece of banana bread that we ate in a lawn chair at the side of a road beside a settling pond. The guide was nice and did his best to pass on his local knowledge but I think even he was bored. Perhaps if you were in your 80's, this may have been enough but for us, it was a complete waste of a day.

Aqua Taxi - Slice of Paradise (boat + optional self guided walks) - full day

New Zealand

We were not exactly sure how this was supposed to work. We told the guide that we preferred to spend more time hiking than on the boat. He was excellent and pointed out some options that would work for us and it turned out to be a wonderful day. Great people running this and a small boat so you're not crammed into a big boat with a lot of other people.

Great Taste Trail (self-guided cycle ride with E-bike Option) - Kaiteriteri to Mapua (43km)

New Zealand

The trail itself was ok. Unfortunately a lot of the little artisan galleries along the trail were closed which would have made things more interesting. A great little coffee shop and good restaurants though.

Timber Trail Day 1

Ongarue

An amazing ride. The electric bikes were a must for us...we couldn't have done it without them.

Black Abyss - Abseiling, ziplining and black-water tubing

New Zealand

A truly unique experience. Our guides were fun and appreciated the warm drinks and food during the tour. The only down side was not being able to take your own pictures. They took some and you could buy them at the end, but let's say that photography is not their forte. :-)