Hi, all,

I am heading back to the South Island of NZ again this May (I was there in May 2005 as well). I am looking for any feedback on favorite restaurants or hotels in the USD100-USD200 range, and on any favorite restaurants in the following cities:

Christchurch, especially:
- Crowne Plaza vs. Millenium vs. Copthorne Central?
- any new restaurant recommendations

Dunedin area lodging and restaurants, especially:
- is Larnach Castle lodging nice/worth it? Any other lodging suggestions?
- favorite restaurants

Te Anau lodging, especially:
- boutique or B&B lodging

Queenstown, especially:
- lodging (Brown's vs. BreakFree The Point)
- restaurant recommendations

Mt Cook/Lake Tekapo lodging, especially:
- lodging (I stayed at the Lake Tekapo Lodge last year -- very nice but somewhat pricey; any other suggestions?)
- favorite restaurants

Thanks so much in advance.

John H.

Hi John -

If you like Indian food, I highly recommend Little India - they have outlets in Dunedin, Christchurch and Queenstown (among others).

We also liked Sombrero's in Queenstown (Mexican), La Toscana Pizzeria and Spaghetteria in Te Anau, and Jade Palace in Lake Tekapo. We also ate at Pepe's in Lake Tekapo - it was pretty good, but not as good as the Jade Palace.

Lanarch Castle is on the Otago peninsula, which is not in the center of Dunedin. I stayed in a very small room there once, it was alright, but there is nothing to do at night. I would rather stay in Dunedin Center. I like Hulmes Court B&B, there is a good price range and location is quite good.

Favorite restaurant in Queenstown, from a few years back when the US dollar was strong, was Solera Vino, 25 Beach Street. It apparently is still in business, a good sign.

I've just done a web search and if I were going to be in Queenstown I'd try

WINNER: Winery Restaurants - Amisfield Winery Bistro
10 Lake Hayes Rd, RD1, Queenstown
Ph: 03-442 0556
www.amisfield.co.nz

Open: Tues-Sun 10am-8pm

Constructed from heavy beams and rough-hewn layers of schist in the manner of the early colonial buildings of Central Otago, Amisfield Winery, between Queenstown and Arrowtown, melds into the surrounding terrain, yet is strikingly architectural.

It appears that the chef who so impressed me at Solera Vino is now working here-- Daniel Monopoli. According to the article, most diners go for the fixed price "trust the chef" option. Described as small plates to unfold: a warm olive selection perhaps, followed by roast pork and crackling; perhaps leg of lamb with peppers, beans and Kalamatas, or a Spanish-style pork terrine with marinated olives and cornichons, and, if you are lucky, half a grilled crayfish.

Reference is cuisine.co.nz, an excellent website if one is a foodie.

Has any tried this place?

We are going to be staying in what appears to be a great B+B cottage in Te Anau. I can't give you our impression yet, but the owners have been great to deal with and their website makes it sound great. It is called The Croft and their website is:
http://www.thecroft.co.nz/index.htm

Thanks for your responses to date.

John H

The Pescatore Restaurant at the George Hotel is great....also Annie's Wine Bar which is in an inner courtyard at the Arts & Craft Center across from the Museum. On the way to Queenstown....Oliver's of Clyde is not only great accomodation but great food. Oliver's and the George & Pescatore have web pages

Topping

Accomodation in Chch - both the Millenium and Crowne Plaza are great, but I've have to pick the Crowne Plaza first.

They have at least three restaurants there. If you like Teppanyaki (or even if you've never tried it) their restaurant is great.
A couple of others - Barcalona which is on Oxford Terrace and Cooking with Gas - near the arts centre.

In Dunedin, I would stay on/near the Octagon instead of on the Peninsula. We had an executive room at 97 Motel Moray and were pleased with it. It wasn't fabulous but it was in an excellent location and they have free parking. Get the nicest room they have available. We ate at The Terrace on the octagon (you grill your own meat on hot rocks) and it was very good. We ate there twice, actually. Indian Summer had excellent Indian food, and it's right across the street from the 97 Motel Moray.
In Te Anau we also enjoyed Le Toscana restaurant.
In Queenstown we LOVED Brown's-- stay there! Wai for dinner, Little India for dinner, and Gibbston Valley Winery for lunch.

Hi, all,

Thanks for the additional information - - very helpful, especially the updated restaurant favorites of various posters.

In terms of lodging, I am narrowing down choices:
- May opt for a suite at the Copthorne Central in CHC instead of the Crowne Plaza (where I stayed last trip). Copthorne seems to get uniformly good reviews, except for parking lot views in some rooms (I will make an explicit request for a non-parking lot view).
- In Dunedin, based on feedback from here that said it is best to stay in town rather than out on the Otago Peninsula at the Larnach Castle, I am leaning towards staying at the Scenic Circle Dunedin City Hotel.
- Queenstown: choice is now between Brown's and a "luxury apartment" at Villa Del Lago.
- Te Anau: I am still trying to choose between Radford's versus Lakefront Lodge vs. Campbell Auto Lodge. (Probably leaning towards Radford's. However, they are not listed on tripadvisor.com

Any firsthand experience from posters here on any of these lodging choices is appreciated.

Happy travels.

John H.

We stayed at the Copthorne Central on Feb 8-10. The hotel was clean but nothing special. Probably similar to the average Holiday inn if you are from the US. We have no complaints but no raves either. Just average. It was conveniently located and had a nice park across the street. There was also a trolley stop nearby and the Vic & Whale restaurant next door had great steaks and happy hour drink specials.

We also stayed at the Scenic Circle Dunedin City Hotel and we were very pleased with the service and accomodation. Highly recommended. It is also very close to the Octagon (city centre).

In Te Anau we stayed at Campbells and our apartment was huge (all had lake front views). The accomodation was a bit dated but it was clean and the overall space was about 600 sq ft.

In Queenstown we stayed at the Outrigger at the Beacon which was very posh. They had fresh bread baking in our room when we arrived. Very modern, clean, and good service. Close to the Steamer Wharf.

Hope that helps.

We will be on the south island in November and after extensive research here is a list of the hotels we reserved.
Dunedin (Motel on York--near the Octagon--new www.motelonyork.co.nz)
Te Anau (Radfords--recommended by the Brown's hotel owner in Queenstown)
Queenstown (Browns)
Lake Tekapo (www.laketekapograndview.co.nz)
Christchurch (www.worcester.co.nz-luxury B&B in the heart of downtown)
I read so many negative reviews on the Crowne Plaza and Millenium (but I was tempted to try a superior room at the Millenium)

Thanks so much. I have booked the Scenic Circle Dunedin City Hotel in Dunedin and the Copthorne Central (suite) in CHC. Glad to hear your recommendation on the Radfords in Te Anau -- I think I'll try that.
Thanks everyone. Additional restaurant recommendations welcome and appreciated.

John H.

If you like Italian then Cafe Valentino in Christchurch is a lovely restaurant. It is located on the main street (Columbo Street) down by the Convention Centre. Wide selection and reasonably priced.

In Queenstown, a very "active" pub is Vinnie's. It is upstairs in the buildings by the steamship wharf. We had very good pizza late one evening.

Te Anau: Try the Olive Tree cafe. Our dinner was very good, went back for breakfast.

Christchurch: Next to the Worcester B&B is the newly opened The Classic Villa. The rooms were very nice and it is a perfect location.

Thanks, again, for the additional restaurant suggestions.

Happy travels.

John H.

Topping for any last pre-trip suggestions on restaurants in Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, Te Anau or Lake Tekapo and environs. Many thanks to all of you for your recommendations.

John H.