Best Time of Year to Visit New Zealand

TRAVEL SPECIAL: The Crown Hotel Napier

The Crown Hotel Napier overlooks the waterfront in the village of Ahuriri, Napier. The hotel offers premier accommodation and conference facilities in a luxurious seaside setting.

The hotel has 39 stylish and unique guest suites, ranging from studios to two bedroom luxury apartments.

The heritage suites and conference facilities, located in the original 1932 Crown Hotel Building, have been lovingly restored to reflect the history and style of the Art Deco era.

Adjacent to the original building sits a newly constructed four-story complex which features studios and suites with stunning ocean views, contemporary furnishings and a range of amenities.

Together these architectural elements combine to create a hotel with a unique blend of history and contemporary style.

TRAVEL SPECIAL: Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort

Kia Ora and welcome to Rotorua's best hotel accommodation at New Zealand's top "Relaxation and Spa Resort Hotel", as judged by Trip Advisor for 2010 and 2011. The perfect place to relax in luxury styled accommodation on the picturesque shores of Lake Rotorua and central to Rotorua attractions, airport and city.

As Rotorua's best resort hotel accommodation, guests have a choice of luxury accommodation in the form of either Deluxe Studios with courtyard patios overlooking the landscaped pool area and views to Lake Rotorua, or the Superior Suites with their private balconies and lake views. With 24 hour room service, mini bar service; valet parking, outdoor seating areas and extensive landscaping together with our superb personal service and park like surroundings, Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort is the perfect Rotorua relaxation destination. With our "on demand" shuttle service, subject to availability, Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort is the ideal base from which to plan and visit the many famous attractions of Rotorua

As part of your experience enjoy the features and services of the internationally acclaimed "Wai Ora Day Spa" which incorporates the unique "New Zealand Cultural Spa" regime into all of its product offerings. This Rotorua Day Spa is the only Rotorua spa to be awarded, not one but two "2011 World Luxury Spa Awards". With nine beautifully appointed therapy rooms including two "couples" rooms a full beauty and spa menu offering is available daily from 9.00am to 9.00pm. Based on the wellness therapies of the Maori and unique essences of New Zealand including the silky like geothermal Rotorua muds, the "New Zealand Cultural Spa" offering will relax, reinvigorate and reconnect you to the importance of you and yours. Immerse in the Wai Ora Water Experience's hot pools, steam room and "kawa kawa" infused steam room while listening to the soothing, cascading sounds of water from our spring feed stream all set in the landscaped gardens of New Zealand native plants and trees.

Savor the taste sensations of our award winning fine dining Mokoia Restaurant which specialists in Pacific Rim cuisine using fresh local produce along with the unique indigenous herbs and spices of New Zealand, beautifully accompanied with a selection of fine New Zealand wines and beers. The restaurant specializes in New Zealand Beef and Lamb, local seafood as well as a full vegetarian menu offering daily and can cater to all dietary requirements. As a favorite for locals, Mokoia Restaurant has been acclaimed as the" best restaurant in Rotorua".

TRAVEL SPECIAL: Te Waonui Forest Retreat

Creating a luxury hotel retreat in Franz Josef on New Zealand's South island was an opportunity for the Scenic Hotel Group to do something truly unique. We named this very special luxury hotel of ours, the Te Waonui Forest Retreat, and invite you to share a unique eco-retreat experience in the heart of the rainforest.

Te Waonui Forest Retreat is at the cutting edge of sustainable, luxury hotel accommodation. Great care has been taken to not only respect and preserve the environment around the property, but to celebrate and embrace the rainforest within the hotel design.

Every aspect of this luxury hotel has been crafted to an impeccable standard. Comfort is a top priority, with luxuriously appointed rooms featuring soft woollen underlays and plush down and wool duvets. The energy efficient rooms in the hotel feature double-glazing and deluxe soundproofing technology. In the appropriately named Canopy Restaurant guests can enjoy sumptuous meals with the freshest West Coast and South Island produce presented in a five-course degustation menu.

Our commitment to service includes attentive front office staff, valet parking, 24-hour reception and more.

Throughout the hotel you will find eco-friendly features such as natural lighting, soft timbered detailing, natural colour schemes and recycled local materials that make Te Waonui feel at one with its surroundings. Furniture and fixings include natural wool carpets, organic cotton bedspreads and even possum skin cushioning.

Te Waonui Forest Retreat is a new and innovative venture for Scenic Hotel Group and raises the bar in luxury sustainable hotel accommodation in New Zealand.

The Scenic Hotel Group's other brands are Heartland Hotels and Scenic Hotels and Suites. The Scenic Hotel Group head office is in Christchurch in the South Island.

TRAVEL SPECIAL: Crowne Plaza Queenstown

Unquestionably the best lakeside location in Queenstown, Crowne Plaza Queenstown has the resort township at its doorsteps.

The stylish and contemporary lakeview rooms give you full view of the awe-inspiring Remarkables mountain range and invigorating Lake Wakatipu. With the best of Queenstown's attractions so close and accessible, Crowne Plaza Queenstown is the best place to stay, play and meet whilst soaking up the scenery and atmosphere, and feeling utterly at home in luxurious and comfortable surroundings.

Amenities include leisure concierge, valet car parking, business centre, 24-hour room service, stunning lakeview meeting spaces, secure ski storage room, sauna and excellent bar and restaurant facilities. The layout of the hotel allows each room to maximise the privacy and use of its own individual balcony or direct access to the sunny courtyard.

TRAVEL SPECIAL: Pepper on the Point

Surrounded by the sparkling waters of Lake Rotorua, Peppers on the Point is an intimate luxury retreat featuring spectacular views to the historic Mokoia Island. This historic property was a family home right until 2004 and is perfect for a serene and tranquil escape.

This stunning retreat offers the perfect base for experiencing New Zealand's rich culture or you can simply relax and enjoy the tranquility of this stunning location from the comfort of our inviting entertainment rooms with open fireplaces.

Just five minutes from the heart of Rotorua City, Peppers on the Point is located on Kawaha Point Road and comprises of an exquisitely furnished converted 1930s mansion. Accommodation within the retreat includes nine spacious, luxuriously furnished suites with most featuring stunning lake views. There is also two private lake cottage suites along with the owners residence - The Lake Villa and a One Bedroom Lake Villa Apartment, both available on application.

Without leaving the retreats surrounds you can indulge in a heavenly massage at our onsite spa, try fly fishing from our private beach, enjoy water sports and tennis or even spend your day boating. Peppers on the Point's dining room is also renowned for serving fabulous New Zealand cuisine accompanied by the finest New Zealand and international wines, it is an experience not to be missed.

Peppers on the Point, Rotoura is the heartland of New Zealand's Maori culture and is set amidst a landscape of erupting geysers, hot thermal springs and bubbling mud pools. With so many sights to see and cultural offerings within easy reach, we will have you immersed in relaxation upon your return.