AUCKLAND, N.Z. -- A travel trade fair featuring the best that New
Zealand has to offer is -- given the nature of the product and
inventive local entrepreneurs -- predictably nonstandard and even
downright quirky.
In addition, products rolled out at the Travel Rendezvous New
Zealand (Trenz) last month featured a hefty number of new or newly
revamped accommodations, including the following highlights:
• Hotel Off the Square, Christchurch (www.offthesquare.com). This property, opened in April
and described as avant-garde, counts 38 unique rooms, catering to a
range of guests, from the very upscale leisure and business
traveler to the two rooms designed with "families, sports people
and Hobbits" in mind. Original art decorates the rooms; the main
restaurant is Spanish Basque; and the Christchurch tramway -- which
winds in and around the city's old Cathedral Square -- runs through
the property.
Timothy Nicholls, owner and governing director, said he aims to
challenge the sameness of many accommodations, and has his sights
set on a couple of historic buildings for another unique property
in downtown Auckland.
Off the Square is bookable on the Web or through New Zealand
inbound operators, he said.
• The County Hotel, Napier (www.countyhotel.co.nz). An Edwardian structure and
former County Council building set in the "Art Deco capital of the
world," the venue was converted into a hotel in the mid-'90s but
further upgraded and overhauled after new owners took over 18
months ago. The alterations brought Art Deco to the 18-room hotel
as well as the award-winning Chambers restaurant. The rooms don't
have numbers; each is named for a Kiwi bird.
Co-owner Chris Barons said he pays 27% commission and wants to
find more agents to sell for him. The property is bookable at its
Web site.
• The Waterfront Motor Inn, New Plymouth (www.newplymouthwaterfronthotel.co.nz). This 39-room
luxury property, opened in May, is on the shores of the Tasman Sea,
suggesting the "Waterfront" moniker.
However, the use of "motor" in the name conjures unfortunate
images if the photos of sleek, modern design details are
indicative. Book by e-mail at [email protected] or at www.waterfront.co.nz.
• Te Weheka Inn, Fox Glacier (www.teweheka.co.nz). The newly built 20-room property,
which formally opened in November, is in the South West New Zealand
World Heritage Park, giving access to beaches, rain forests and
glaciers for guided walks.
Amenities include Internet connections, laundry and drying room
and breakfast, but for lunches and dinners, dining is off site. To
book, e-mail [email protected] or the Web site.
• The Point Villas, a 10 minutes-drive from Taupo overlooking
Lake Taupo (www.thepointvillas.co.nz). The two newly built villas,
accommodating four guests each, debuted in January. They provide
full kitchens and laundries, private decks and outdoor barbecues,
and the property offers tennis courts, swimming pool, sites for fly
fishing, boat ramps and helipad.
To book, e-mail [email protected] or the Web site.
• Scenic Circle Hotels, an Auckland-based chain (www.scenic-circle.co.nz). Self-described as New
Zealand's largest independent hotel group, Scenic Circle has added
since late 2002 three hotels: the Scenic Circle Blenheim Country
Hotel, Marlborough; Scenic Circle Bay of Islands Hotel, Paihia; and
Scenic Circle Te Pania Hotel, Napier.
The latter is a new build -- and a controversial one because it
sits on the promenade facing the sea in the heart of a town most
noted for its Art Deco tradition. But on this 109-room property,
though attractive with clean lines, nary an Art Deco color or curve
can be found, at least not on the exterior.
Scenic Circle, which operates midrange hotels, said the
property, also opposite Napier's conference venue, fills the town's
need for a hotel big enough for large tour groups and conference
delegations.
Two more hotels, in Dunedin and Kaikoura, are set for 2004
debuts. The hotels are bookable by request at the Web site and via
e-mail at [email protected]; some properties are
in the GDSs.
• Greenhill, The Lodge, in the heart of Hawke's Bay wine country
(www.greenhill.co.nz). This private retreat -- set on
30 acres about 15 minutes from Hastings -- debuted in January after
a full year of renovations by new owners to bring the 1900
Victorian home to its new, high standard.
Five air-conditioned and heated rooms are offered, and dining is
offered to guests only. Co-owner Neil Barber said agents, who are
paid 20%, can book using e-mail at [email protected], and he is looking into
participation in a Web-based booking program. Barber said agents
may see him at Trenz next year.
• Real Journeys (www.realjourneys.co.nz), the Queenstown-based tour
operator, said it will add a 400-passenger cruise vessel, the new
build Milford Sovereign, to its fleet at Milford Sound, effective
in November.
• InterCity Coachlines, a New Zealand coach network, introduced
an optional water-based choice -- a one-hour Haast River Safari
trip -- for passengers traveling between Queenstown and Franz
Josef, for a break from road travel.
• Bungy jumping arrived in New Zealand's largest city, Auckland,
in April; visitors now can leap off the Auckland Harbour Bridge --
if they want to.
• Also from the people who brought the bungy adventure,
Auckland-based AJ Hackett Bungy, will debut in November an
underground facility at the site of the world's first bungy
location near Queenstown. It will feature a virtual cinematic
experience -- promising to nonjumpers many of the sensations of
real jumpers -- and elements of a museum.
• And for a sampling of the latest in special-interest
activities for clients seen at Trenz: Towanda Women, Rangiora
(e-mail to [email protected]; www.towanda.org),
specializes in motorcycle tours for women; a stud farm, Glenmorgan
(e-mail to [email protected];m or visit www.glenmorgan.co.nz), at Karaka near Auckland, in
December opened its gates to tourists; New Zealand Safari
Adventures (NZSA), Gisborne (e-mail to [email protected]; or visit www.nzsafari.co.nz), specializes in hunting and
fishing trips.