Hi! We're leaving for our honeymoon on May 4th and we'll be driving from Queenstown to Christchurch as part of our trip. We're going to stop for the night along the way, and we're not sure whether to stay in Lake Tekapo or Dunedin. Which place do you recommend? (We're from Florida so any place that's extremely picturesque is what we'd prefer.)<BR><BR>Also, for accomodations in Queenstown, which one of the following hotels do any of you recommend:<BR>-- Heritage Queenstown<BR>-- Milennium Hotel (both)<BR>-- Mountvista Hotel<BR>-- Evergreen Lodge<BR><BR>(We need modem access so that's why I've narrowed it down to those four)<BR><BR>Any help is greatly appreciated!!!<BR><BR>Thanks!!!

I went to NZ last April and drove from CC to Dunedin. Have not been to Lake Tekapo -- but thoroughly enjoyed our couple of nights in Dunedin. It is an old Scottish town and home to a college. The town is not all that exciting -- but the scenary out out by the Albatross site is very nice as is the drive there. Also -- there is a Yellow Eyed Penguin reserve that we really enjoyed. If you do go there -- on the way out to the Albatross site -- there is a restaurant on the left that has a year for a name -- like 1869 or something like that. It was EXCELLANT -- we ate there twice. Also -- if you are into gambling there is a casino in Dunedin. In CC -- we enjoyed the Antartic Center and we drove to Akoroa and stopped at the I believe it was called French Farms or something like that vineyard --- very pretty and a nice lunch and good wine! Have a great time -- we loved NZ. PS -- Are you going to Milford Sound --- highly recommend that -- we took a plane ride from QT there and the flight was amazing.

Irene -<BR><BR>I stayed at the Heritage Queenstown in March and was very pleased with it. It is a walk up a hill from town, although there is a shuttle bus service that you can also take. I also stayed at Dunedin (pronounced Done - eden). As the previous poster noted, there's nothing too exciting about the city, but the Otago penisula, with the penguin and albatross reserves is very interesting.<BR>Martha<BR>

I've been to queenstown and Lake Tekapo twice in the last 2 years and Iloved the lakeview of Lake Tekapo. So I chose to stay in the motel &quot;le chalet&quot; in Lake Tekapo for my second visit there. I've never been to Dunedin, so can't tell. But usually due to the time demanded, people have to choose between these 2 places as they spreaded over quite far away from each other. <BR><BR>I heard Aspen on Queenstown is very good, check if they have in-room internet access. And here is the link to many accommodations in NZ. Enjoy<BR><BR>http://www.aaguides.co.nz

Have a look at www.purenz.com, it really is the best site for any info, it might help you to choose between those locations, both are great but quite different of course from each. It depends if you want to visit another city or prefer the wide open spaces, I would be inclined to favour Lake Tekapo.

While in Queenstown, we stayed at the Millenium, and were very disappointed in it. We had a filthy, badly stained blanket, and although we asked for it to be replaced, they just turned it upside down. We also heard others complain while we were there, and on several occasions. We were supposed to have a king room, and ended up with twins, and were told, despite the reservation, there was nothing they could do about it.

We were in NZ in Dec and Jan and were in both Dunedin and Lake Tekapo. Lake Tekapo is beautiful but if I had to make a choice I would pick Dunedin. We planned on spending 2 days in Dunedin but ended up staying for 4. The city is amazing and the buildings are lovely. This is also the sight of Baldwin street, the worlds steepest. The drive out on the Penisula is breathtaking and not to be missed. You can view seals, penquins and just wonderful small villages. Also there is Larch castle, the only castle in NZ and it is lovely. The wood furnishings, ceilings and grounds were amazing. Hope some of this helps. Wendy

This response is too late but for others looking into Dunedin, take a trip to Larnach Castle - gorgeous grounds and fascinating history. You can stay on the grounds - the azaleas and rhododendrons in the garden in Spring were unforgettable.