SilverDreams

Three weeks driving in NZ... November 07

We will be in Queenstown for five days and would really like a VERY NICE place to stay, enjoy and relax.
We are trying to decide between "The Glebe", "Villa del Lago" or "Peppers Beacon". Any sugggestions and/or information on these choices would be great. Has anyone stayed at any of these places....how was it?

We will have a car....is this a problem in busy Queenstown?

Re: Auckland...Any suggestions/recommendations on "The Westin" or "The Hilton" which could help us choose between the two would be appreciated. We do want to be near attractions etc. since long walking distances could be a problem.

You are ALL so helpful to everyone coming to NZ.....and we need your expertise. I have learned SO MUCH from all the NZ messages.

Now that I have you...can you also throw in some restaurant recommendations? Hate to take advantage...

Thanks for any info.

Melnq8

Hi SilverDreams -

We've stayed at Villa Del Lago on two trips to QT and really enjoyed it. Here's an excerpt from one of my trip reports regarding our first stay there:
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We'd booked a one bedroom unit at Villa Del Lago, a new complex of individually owned vacation units. We stayed in #15, which had unobstructed views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, and was by far the quietest place we’ve ever stayed in Queenstown. Our biggest complaint about Queenstown on previous visits was the constant road noise. Well, this time we found peace and quiet. Our unit was similar to a condo and it had a queen sized bed in the bedroom, a bathroom with heated floor, tub and shower, a living room with a gas fireplace, TV, VCR and CD player, and a kitchen with refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, cook top, coffee making supplies, dishes, utensils, pots and pans, etc.

Villa Del Lago is a bit off the beaten path, but only a 25 minute walk from the town center via the Frankton Arm Walkway. Alternatively, you can drive to town and park near Queenstown Gardens, which is a 5 minute walk from the center of town. Parking here is free and unlimited, whereas parking in town is metered and limited to one hour until 6 pm. After 6 pm, there’s no charge for parking in town and it’s a lot easier to find a parking space.
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If you've read any of my NZ posts, you'll already know that my absolute favorite restaurant in NZ is Little India. They also have locations in CH, Nelson and Dunedin. If you like Indian food, you'll love this place.

Amisfield Winery near Arrowtown has a bistro that might interest you - they don't serve dinner though.

We always rent a car. While in QT a few weeks back, we noticed several car parks where you can park your car for hours for a few bucks. Parking on the street is metered, and limited to one hour before six. Driving in and out of QT is much better since they've completed all the road work - no issues at all on our latest trip.

Sorry, can't help with Auckland.

mlgb

According to their website, Amisfield Bistro is open til 8 pm. A bit early by US standards, but very worthwhile. Beautiful room with views and delicious mediterranean type food designed for wine pairings.

Melissa5

Melnq8 is SO right! Little India has amazing food, and my mouth waters just thinking about it...those freshly ground imported spices...Sigh...

And we also enjoyed our apartment on the lake-front at Villa del Lago. The lake front apartments, closest to the lake, are also furthest from the road. It was quiet for sleeping. It is a 25-minute walk into town along the lake as Melnq8 says. Yes you can drive into town if you want, but parking might be difficult. We drove in a couple times and found parking up closer to the gondola area.

Unless you want a bed and breakfast? How much pampering do you wish?

Enjoy! I love NZ. There is so much to do nearby Queenstown that I'm glad to hear you're staying there for 5 days.

Love the ice cream and the special waffle dessert at Patagonia's in Queenstown.

Melnq8

Sorry for the bad info about Amisfield. When we were there in August they told us they stop taking orders at 6, but remain open for a few hours beyond so that diners can take their time. Suggest you check with them directly as it could well be a seasonal issue.

ishki

Here's another vote for Villa del Lago in Queenstown. It's got everything going for it except in my opinion it's a little far from restaurants etc. If you are cooking for yourself, I would definitely stay there again, but when we travel I don't cook and l prefer either to be no more than 10 minutes walk away from restaurants and cafes, or have easy parking available. So far we have always found a spot, but we have always been at quieter times of the year. Last time (last October) we were in Queenstown we stayed at a lovely apartment, also with views of the Remarkables, called Earnslaw View Apartments. They were quite new and very similar in style to Villa del Lago. Being set up the hill a way, the views were spectacular.

heathy

Hello esp to the two Mels. Am awaiting the arrival of my Little India takeaways ! Mixed Platter for two. Chicken Korma, 6 nans ( ! ), and aloo gobi. Its just arrived ! Must rush.......

Melnq8

Go ahead heathy, torture me...

heathy

Sorry about that Mel. Am out shortly to walk it off ! I always feel a tad guilty after consuming all that ghee.

Hi SilverDreams. I have been reading some rave reviews about " Villa del Lago " on a very user friendly website called " TripAdvisor ". Suggest you take a peep as its full of really good info - not quite as good as this site though !

SilverDreams

Hi Melnq8
Thanks for all the great info. on Villa del Lago....your reply and description gave me just what I needed to make a decision...Villa del Lago it will be!! Love to be in the center of town but lakefront and quiet is winning for a five day stay. Tips for parking were really helpful especially Queenstown Gardens...think that's just what we'll do.

Little India is on the list...sounds like everyone loves that place.

Your response was a big help...Thanks so much.

SilverDreams

Hi Ishki
Glad to hear you liked Villa del Lago too. I also like to be near the restaurants and shopping with not too long a walk from our lodging. However I'm getting the feeling downtown Queenstown can be noisy and BUSY so I'm planning on spending lots of time downtown and then going back to our room for quiet and beauty.

ME TOO....NO COOKing!! Little India is on the list...any other recommendations?

Thanks for your response

Melissa5

No cooking...that's my kind of trip! Joe's Garage is fun for breakfast...it moved so address in guidebooks may be wrong...they have great coffee too.

If you are in town long enough, try Little India right away, because you may end up wishing you had eaten there twice!

Patagonia's near the waterfront for dessert...our favorite was their special waffle, which comes with gourmet melted chocolate, ice cream, waffle, fruit, etc. So fantastic we had to return for a second waffle. Two people can share one.

Queenstown has a ton of restaurants...it's wonderful.

Melnq8

I'm not big on cooking on vacation either, but it's always nice to have a kitchen for making toast and coffee in the morning before heading out. We also like to make picnic lunches and of course, the fridge comes in handy for chilling the chardonnay.

As far as restaurants in QT, we usually eat all of our dinners at Little India (I know, I know...) but one year we did manage to squeeze in a meal at Sombrero's, which makes pretty good Mexican food.

Morrison's Pub near the casino is a good place for a pint and communing with the locals. Mantra in Arrowtown, is owned by the same family that owns Little India - the menu is very similar, but a wee bit more expensive. Just as good though.

You'll be spoiled for choice in QT.

You might want to check out WineTastes - we popped in while we were in QT and were intriqued, but we'd already had enough of wine for the day.

Some of the wineries in the area also serve meals - Amisfield does and I think Gibbston Valley offers cheese platters for lunch.

www.winetastes.com

Jed

<We will have a car....is this a problem in busy Queenstown?>

We drove in QT. There was traffic, but we always found a parking spot on the street.

mfanelli

Had a fabulous lunch at Amisfield Bistro last mnth and an equally excellent lunch at Eichardt's (lunch only) in the heart of Queenstown

cheryllj

Re Auckland: I'm not sure where the Westin is exactly, but the Hilton is in a fantastic location right at the end of Prince's Wharf, overlooking the harbor, well within walking distance of the main attractions. That's definitely where I'd stay in Auckland if I could afford it. I'd want a view of the harbor.

mlgb

Amisfield Bistro recently won Cuisine's "winery restaurant of the year" for 2007.

For those traveling foodies in November, check out the following special dinners

http://cuisine.co.nz/index.cfm?pageID=54286&r=9