pepperment

Hi All,
Have 10 days to play on the North Island, we are looking for a couple great hotels/lodges (comfortable beds, pool/spa, high end without be uber-lux). Landing 2/6 in Auckland, and leaving Auckland on 2/17. Can anyone recommend a couple high end lodges (that will offer/book day trips (hiking/walking, cruising, etc)? Usually these are "all inclusive" accommodations that have activities with their guides or can recommend local bay cruises.
Attracted to Roturora, Waitomo Caves, Wairere Waterfall, Huka Falls hike, Tongariro Crossing (around Mt. Ruapehu w/mineral baths if possible)...realize we can't visit all these places so we need lodges/hotels centrally located to a few of these spots.
My searches show either "uber-lux" at $1000/day or Rustic Basics under $100. Can you help me find some in the 300-400/day? It is essential that we work with the accommodation to book us preferably on their offerings.
All suggestions welcome!

mlgb

Actually can't imagine that this type of lodging exists on the North Island unless it is associated with a golf course such as Kauri Cliffs, or fishing lodge, probably not what you are looking for. Will be following to see if anyone finds one on the North Island. I'm not surprised that you haven't found anything in your searches as this isn't the way the typical trip to New Zealand is done.

pepperment

Yes! I would have thought so too, but all the all inclusive luxury lodges are either sold out or have little inventory!

Diamantina

It sounds like you don't want to self-drive, but prefer to be driven and/or escorted. If this is the case, you can easily book your own hotels, tours and transport that would keep you around your US$300 to 400 budget. Given your interests, I'd find a nice, conveniently located hotel on Auckland's waterfront, something like the Park Hyatt, Hilton, Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour, or Hotel Britomart. These hotels are close to restaurants and the ferry building, where many excursions onto Hauraki Bay leave from. There's also walking distance from Sky City, where there's an I-Site tourist information office, but my guess is a hotel concierge can arrange for tours as well. There's no shortage of fine 4.5 to 5-star accommodation in downtown Auckland.

From your hotel in Auckland, you can take a small group to to Waitomo and Rotorua:
https://www.viator.com/en-NZ/tours/A...s/d391-56760P5
Keep in mind, such day trips will be popular with cruise ship passengers, so book well in advance.
Or look into this 2-day tour: https://www.newzealand.com/in/plan/b...from-auckland/
There are also larger bus tours through Great Sights: https://www.greatsights.co.nz/new-ze...ations/rotorua
This company also offers day tours and day trips from Auckland:
https://www.aucklandscenictours.co.nz/

From the Auckland ferry building, you'll have a wide choice of excursions onto Hauraki Gulf, such as Rangitoto Island, Waiheke Island, Tiritiri Matangi Island, or a bay cruise.
See: https://www.fullers.co.nz/

I've not done the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (nor have I wanted to), but you might consider taking the Northern Explorer train https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tour...rer-train/from Auckland to National Park, where you could arrange for transportation to Chateau Tongariro, https://www.chateau.co.nz/, which has a range of rooms from more budget oriented to suites. Chateau Tongariro partners with a shuttle service that will bring you to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
https://www.chateau.co.nz/frequently-asked-questions/
It's close to Whakapapa Visitor Centre, https://www.chateau.co.nz/places/wha...isitor-centre/
The Whakapapa Visitor Centre can also shuttles to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (and back again when done).
https://www.visitruapehu.com/visitor...rmation-centre
Or look into staying in National Park village.

Huka Lodge is considered top North Island luxury accommodation, but their package rates are well above US$300 to 400 per day.
https://hukalodge.com/packages/

pepperment

Hi Diamantino,
Great info...and I like your ideas-we will self-drive. No longer interested in "luxury" (by the way Huka Lodge is now $1200/day (really): not for me.
Have 10 days and Park Hyatt sounds great for the first 2. Here's what I first thought about, but,
Auckland>Rototura (oh this sounds very touristy and not too nature driven)
Rototura>Lake Taupo (Huka Hike sounds great)
Lake Taupo-Waitoma (bagging Waitoma-too touristy.

I like your idea of relaxing somewhere on a lake where we can hike around without a million people. Going in February. Open to Maori Culture excursions, but what I see is way too touristy-cruise ships (ugh).???:
Are there light to moderate trails in Tongarino? Lodges or inns you recommend?
Where are the best mineral pools and from where are they accessible? Any accommodations you can recommend for a brief walk to the hot pools?
Bay or Islands is opposite direction for our brief stay...is it worth going there on our return to Auckland?
I'm afraid that N Island spots I've chosen are way too touristy, and would love to hear out of the way spots that are charming/unspoiled with very decent accommodations (w/good beds). All suggestions welcome ...

I know this is pretty wide open, but I'm a bit overwhelmed by the choices of which I have no good intell on.

pepperment

Hi Diamantino,
Great info...and I like your ideas-we will self-drive. No longer interested in "luxury" (by the way Huka Lodge is now $1200/day (really): not for me.
Have 10 days and Park Hyatt sounds great for the first 2. Here's what I first thought about, but,
Auckland>Rototura (oh this sounds very touristy and not too nature driven)
Rototura>Lake Taupo (Huka Hike sounds great)
Lake Taupo-Waitoma (bagging Waitoma-too touristy.

I like your idea of relaxing somewhere on a lake where we can hike around without a million people. Going in February. Open to Maori Culture excursions, but what I see is way too touristy-cruise ships (ugh).???:
Are there light to moderate trails in Tongarino? Lodges or inns you recommend?
Where are the best mineral pools and from where are they accessible? Any accommodations you can recommend for a brief walk to the hot pools?
Bay or Islands is opposite direction for our brief stay...is it worth going there on our return to Auckland?
I'm afraid that N Island spots I've chosen are way too touristy, and would love to hear out of the way spots that are charming/unspoiled with very decent accommodations (w/good beds). All suggestions welcome ...

I know this is pretty wide open, but I'm a bit overwhelmed by the choices of which I have no good intell on.

pepperment

Hmm I may have already replied, can't see it in my threads, so here goes.
Diamantha, thank you for all your good advice and info. I've bagged the idea of "luxury"---too expensive. We will self drive for 8 days after being in Auckland for 2. We're looking for non-cruise boat locations (ugh), nature oriented, hiking, walking, boat cruising, beaching. Here's what Initially thought about but now it looks way too touristy:
Auckland> Rotorura (3 nights)
Rotorura> Lake Taupo (2 nights)
-Hike Huka Falls which still sounds very good
Lake Taupo >Waitoma (2 nights)(too touristy! need an alternative from Lake Taupo.
Back to Auckland (maybe go to Bay of Islands from Lake Taupo, then return to Auckland)
With this itinerary, would I miss the super great sites?
I hear you about Tongarino-I'm assuming that's pretty rigorous outdoor area.

Having trouble picking through accommodations: all suggestions welcome--want comfy, good beds and some nice views-no city locations (except Auckland)
Thank you all!

mlgb

February is still summer so especially on weekends you may have problems with availability. All of the places you mention are "touristy" to one degree or another. New Zealand is not exactly undiscovered territory.

Since you have decided to rent a car, have a look at places a bit outside of the main district. For example, in Rotorua there is a Rydges (ex Holiday Inn) outside of the CBD.

One technique I use for hotel searches is to use Google Maps and move the map around with my dates selected to see what is available.

You may not find anything in Taupo, for example. I think once I stayed at DeBretts (which is basically a holiday park with a nice pool, but cool water) and once a Backpackers. You may need to look into Airbnb type rentals.

Motels are popular as most of them are set up like apartments, with kitchens. I would often alternate B&B places and motels when moving around, very rarely a true hotel and then usually in a city or "touristy" location where there were a lot of choices such as Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown, Bay of Islands, etc.

Diamantina

This was a duplicate post.

Diamantina

That's good that you'll be renting a car. You'll have a lot more freedom and choice.

You won't need or want a car for Auckland. When you're ready to leave Auckland, you can rent a car from the city center. We usually use Apex, but you might have your own preference.

It pains me to say this. Be aware that Rotorua is used for emergency housing and this has been causing friction among the locals and those who are being emergency-housed. The govt. is trying to come up with solutions, but the issues might not be resolved soon. Please read or at least glance at these articles.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-d...V4EC23TWLPHWM/
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-d...X3CXPJN6F6HF4/
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-z...ram-raids.html
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-d...M6DHRNZ5AU2BM/

I'm not especially fond of Rotorua as it's touristy and the sulfur smell puts me off, but I'd be even more reluctant to spend time there now. I'm not saying you should not visit, but please think again about spending 3 nights there. This being said, I think its Te Puia is very much worth visiting.

As for never wanting to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Rigorous outdoor areas don't put me off at all. I've just never wanted to do the Tongariro Crossing (maybe it's lack of curiosity or ambition). I live on the South Island and there are plenty of fabulous walking tracks down here, and most are worth doing again and again. I can understand why other people would want to walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing; it must be geologically fascinating. I've walked around Haleakalā National Park on Maui, and done various volcanic hikes in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and viewed the night stars from Mauna Kea and enjoyed these volcanic landscapes, but just never been interested in doing Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

You might want to check out these Auckland 4-star hotels.
https://auckland-hotels.co.nz/4-star...s-in-auckland/
I've stayed at a few of these. The Sebel Viaduct Harbour has a great location.

I highly recommend an Hauraki Gulf excursion.
If you'd like to see NZ birdlife try to get to Tiritiri Matangi and make sure to take a walking tour before wandering around on your own:. This trip would take up most of the day.
https://www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz/
If you'd like to see Auckland's youngest volcano, take a trip out to iconic Rangitoto;
https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-re.../?tab-id=50578
And if you'd like to enjoy some of NZ's prettiest vineyards, visit Waiheke Island.
https://www.waihekewine.co.nz/

If you enjoy museums, don't miss the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Its Māori and Pacific collections are outstanding.
https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/

There will be plenty of cruise ships in February, but don't let this put you off visiting coastal areas popular with cruise ships because you'll miss some lovely spots. Check the cruise ship schedules beforehand.

Diamantina

If you go to the Bay of Islands, make sure you give yourself enough time. The drive from Auckland to Paihia (for example) would take about 3.5 hours, then you'd have to do it all over again when you leave the Bay of Islands. To save time, my husband and I have also flown into Kerikeri and rented a car from there to explore the region for a few days, then flown onto to another part of the North Island when done.
In addition to the Bay of Islands itself, you might want to visit Hokianga Harbour and Waipoua Forest (home to NZ's largest kauri tree):
https://www.hokianga.com/
https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-re.../?tab-id=50578
One thing that I never got around to was a tour to Cape Reinga.
https://www.dolphincruises.co.nz/bay...ety-mile-beach
if you go to Bay of Islands, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, next to Paihia, is a must:
https://www.waitangi.org.nz/
We've also enjoyed driving up the coast to Doubtless Bay and popping into little fishing villages like Mangonui:
https://www.newzealand.com/us/mangonui/

Diamantina

My reply just disappeared when I tried to post it. I wrote that I did not see your posts #5 & #6 until now.

Park Hyatt sounds wonderful.

The North Island is in general more crowded as it has more than three times as many people as the South Island. At the same time, the South Island is larger. So I'd say it's easier to find a quiet spot with few people in the south. You'll find natural beauty throughout NZ, including Rotorua, which has mud pools, hot springs, geysers, a redwood forest, and a lake.

I can't advise you on Lake Taupo. Sounds like mlgb can.

I'd say if you want to see caves with glowworms, then Waitomo would be a good choice. This is not something you can do on your own, so, of course, you'll be with other tourists and probably some locals, too. mlgb is right, all the places you mentioned are touristy. This doesn't necessarily mean they're not worth visiting.

Are you not going to the South Island?

mlgb

Lake Taupo is largely a golf and fishing destination. You might find better lodging options at the south end, in Turangi.

It doesn't sound to me like your itinerary really matches your preferences. The less traveled parts of the North Island might involve more driving than you are interested in, though.
One of my favorite hot springs stops on the North Island was the isolated Ngawha Springs (in Northland) but they certainly have raised the prices and shortened the hours open since its refurbishment:
https://www.ngawha.nz/general-admiss...nd-prices.html

I also liked Waipoua Forest, Dargaville/Bayly's Beach and Muriwai on the west side. On the east side or Northland I liked the Karikari Peninsula beaches such as Matai Bay. I also liked some of the beaches east of the Coromandel such as Kuaotunu. But I never went during the hottest part of the year. And I would be staying in B&Bs or some hotels that are now too rundown to recommend. I was mostly interested in playing golf interspersed with some beach, history and a little winetasting.

I was also curious as to why you chose the North and not the South Island?

Winetasting is really better at the south end of the North Island, eg Martinborough.

pepperment

To mlgb:

Tell me more about Lake Taupo and it's focus on golf & fishing. We are mostly about hiking/walking (4-6 miles-not huge elevation). Heard Huka Falls Hike is really good. And the travel agent points us to geothermal/hot pool sites around Lake Taupo. We don't golf/fish at all, so would want to steer clear of Lake Taupo if that's all its about.
Thank you!

pepperment

HI ALL,
Thank you so much for all this great information. We are taking a setf-drive itinerary from First Light Travel (very good reviews on TA). Here's what she's quickly mapped out for us, would love your comments and advice:
1. Pauanui )>Accommodation 3 nights: Mercure Puka Park (Coromandel)>Daytrips to: Hahei (Cathedral Cove Walk), ? Suggestions for Coromandel Peninsula activities/hikes etc
2. Lake Taupo (3 nights Chalet Edgar) Maori Carvings Tour (if we can do by boat); hot thermal springs; walking tracks; Huka Falls Hike; Daytrip to Rotorua(geothermal, geysers, skipping glow worms due to mobs); Waimangu Thermal Reserve boat trip/self-guided walk
3. Tongariro National Park 1 night in Chateau Tongariro: what do here? is there a ranger station with trail maps?);
4. Return to Auckland (last day)

We only have 8 days (yes it's limited) so I welcome your reaction to this itinerary. Seems like alot of geothermal & I'm not sure Feb is the best month for hot pools??!!!
Skipping Bay of Islands bc as Diamantina mentioned the R/T will take up alot of time.
Saw the media on the problems with the emergency sites: would we go through those areas when we go to Rotorua?
Has anyone been to Turangi BirdPark(Lake Taupo) : we are not active birders, so wondering if the walk is exquisite, bc we probably won't see the top birds.

We will be doing a hiking trip on the South Island after this, so North Island is really about relaxing, seeing the countryside, and hopefully meeting some locals. Still we want to be active, no so much about beaching.

All suggestions welcome! Thank you so much!

Diamantina

Sounds like you're all set. I'm glad you found a travel agent who could help you.
If you're in doubt as to where to park when in Rotorua, ask a local. Kiwis are friendly and helpful.
Have a great time. Let us know how it goes.

mlgb

Since you now have a travel agent I would ask them those questions.

pepperment

Yes, one would think that a TA would advise. Not the case in NZ. In fact, she can't even assure us that the rental cars (compacthatchback; SUV) have trunk covers in NZ!!! Obviously cannot have luggage visible when parking.

mlgb

Sounds like she is just acting as a booking service, which is entirely unnecessary. You can book everything yourself.

There are some great websites such as https://www.newzealand.com/ which would allow you to do your own planning. See especially the link for "Things to do" and "Itineraries".

pepperment

Correct you are...except that she puts it all in order for me & finds the accommodations: taking care of all the moving parts! There's value in that.
I get you though...when I travel in familiar countries (Europe etc) I always do my own booking--worth it to get what one wants. But this excursion has alot of activities, cultural differences, even lke "where do I get hiking maps????". So there's value in her pulling the details together.