New Zealand-Classic Vacations Fam May 2009

I would very much recommend Classic Vacations for a FAM trip as they did a beautiful job. The FAM was very well organized and included hotel inspections as well as sightseeing tours and some free time.

I loved New Zealand. It’s stunning beauty with it’s green rolling hills, mountains, beaches and waterfalls, to mention only a few of the gorgeous sights to see, are difficult to describe. I would recommend it to just about anyone. It offers such diversity in activities; golf, all kinds of water sports including sailing, snorkeling and diving, sightseeing adventure tours, shopping, nightlife, wineries, luxurious accommodations, hiking, cultural tours, museums and much, much more.

The airfare was Economy Coach on an Air New Zealand 747-400 series plane roundtrip AKL. I was VERY impressed with the comfort, service and food on the flights. I almost felt like we were flying Business Class! We flew between the locations on NZ; AKL to The Bay of Islands and AKL too Napier on double prop planes. I was stunned as they didn’t even ask to see our ID when we checked in!

Our transfer from the airport to the hotel including a half-day city tour of Auckland and was with New Zealand Wild Escapes. They did a nice job and had a very knowledgeable and personable Tour Guide. They offer numerous tours in AKL. IMPORTANT: Please advise your clients that they will need to transport their own luggage from the airport to the vehicle area which is about a block or so from the airport. Vehicles are not allowed to pull up to the airport. The transfer driver will meet them at the airport and direct them to the vehicle. Free luggage carts are available. Perhaps with Private Car Transfers the driver would push the cart for them.

Auckland,”City of Sails”:
I found Auckland to be a beautiful harbor city rich in culture, shopping and bustling with activity. It’s very easy to get around as they offer good bus transportation in the city. A few of the agents went to the Maritime Museum and the Aquarium and indicated both were worthwhile.

LANGHAM HOTEL AUCKLAND:
We stayed 2 night’s at this property which is a very nice 5 star hotel that is one of the Leading Hotels of the World. This property would work for upscale leisure, business and clients with families. They offer a total of 410 rooms including 70 Club Rooms and 13 Royal Suites. The décor is traditional with dark wood and lots of marble, nice bathrooms and a good restaurant. Van airport transfers are free and luxury limo transfers are offered for a fee. They offer 24 hour room service, free internet and wireless, a heated pool, nice workout facilities and a beautiful spa. Although not in the downtown area they do offer complimentary van transfers to the downtown area upon request.

We had the opportunity to take the America’s Cup sailing trip. It was very exciting and I would very much recommend this trip. Many wonderful restaurants and great shopping on the harbor.

We completed the following site inspections:
WESTIN LIGHTER QUAY:
This is NZ newest 5 star hotel and is located overlooking Viaduct Harbour in a quiet but central location. They offer 172 guestrooms and suites and offer a client mix of 70% corporate and 30% leisure. The décor is modern with dark wood and marble. It has a beautiful courtyard, lap and regular pools, nice workout room, beautiful spa, fabulous bathrooms. We had lunch here and found the menu selection great and the food was wonderful.

HYATT REGENCY HOTEL:
This property is 40 years old and is under renovation of soft goods and complete renovation of the Tower to be complete by 12/1/09. It was a nice property but nothing special. It is located in downtown AKL so the location is great. The décor is very modern and it is a green hotel. They offer wireless service, have an indoor/outdoor pool with a retractable roof and the largest and very beautiful spa in NZ. The rooms were nice. We had dinner at the restaurant and the service and food were fabulous. This property would work well for corporate or leisure clients as well as families with children.

MOLLIES:
I loved this property! It is not the property for every client so qualifying your client is especially important here. It is boutique property that is quaint, elegant, intimate, has beautiful grounds and is out of the hustle and bustle in the suburbs. It works well for both leisure and business upscale clients but I would not recommend it for families with children. I would also recommend a car if your client stays at this property. It is an old Victorian House that offers 13 Jr. Suites and a Premier Villa Suite. The furnishings are a mixture of antiques and modern touches with a European flair. Mollie’s daughter Francis owns and runs the property and lives on site along with two resident cats. She gives opera and piano lessons and is known to have famous opera singers and musicians perform for dinner. It offers all of the necessary amenities, except a swimming pool; exercise room, spa, internet and wireless. Breakfast and Dinner are available for a fee.

HILTON:
This 5 star property is 8 years old, renovated in 2008 and is centrally located on the waterfront of Viaduct Pier and was designed to look like a cruise ship in the harbor. It is a very modern hotel and designed in chrome and glass with very modern furnishings. Nice large rooms with great balconies and views. They offer 165 rooms including “Bow” Suites and a Presidential Suite. The property caters to all clients. It offers a lap pool, exercise room but no Jacuzzi or spa. There is a spa located next door. We had a fabulous dinner in their main restaurant.

THE BAY OF ISLANDS:
This area is located in the northern part of the North Island.

THE LODGE AT KAURI CLIFFS:
We spent 2 night’s at this very luxurious upscale property located on 6,000 acres on Matauri Bay and it took my breath away. It is 5 years old and is a working sheep and cattle farm with unbelievable views of rolling green hills, forests and a stunning 18 holes golf course. It has received all kinds of awards and accolades and rightfully so; New Zealand’s Leading Golf Resort, 2nd Best Hotel/Resort in Australia and New Zealand, one of the World’s Top Romantic Hotels, just to name a few. If there are any fans out there, the last “Bachelor” show was filmed here part of the time! It is elegant and luxurious but rustic, attention to detail was unbelievable and it was warm, inviting and unique. It works well for very upscale golfers and non-golfers alike as there is so much to do; beaches, 4 wheel drive tours, snorkeling, diving, tennis, walking, hiking, 2 beaches, waterfalls, outdoor infinity pool with whirlpool, gorgeous spa and indoor lap pool . It is small; only 22 Cottages and one 2 bedroom Owner’s Suite. All rooms are huge with walk in closets, gorgeous bathrooms with heated towels and fireplaces. This property would best suit couples, singles and groups. A family could book the Owner’s Cottage but they do not really cater to families. Breakfast and dinner are included in the room rate and the menu choices and food was outstanding. Private transfers can take you to the town of Kerikeri. We did a private day tour that included the main sites of the Bay of Islands that included; Pink Beach, the historic settlement of NZ first capital city Russell, the Waitangi Treaty House, Haruru Falls, the town of Kerikeri, and Rainbow Falls. This area is known for its wineries and we had lunch and wine tasting at Marsden Winery, which was great. There was also great shopping in this area.

HAWKS BAY/NAPIER:
THE FARM AT CAPE KIDNAPPERS”
Our last 2 night’s were spent at this sister property to Kauri Cliffs. It is also a working farm and is equally luxurious, rustic and gorgeous with more of a country/farm feel. The golf course was rated Number 1 in the world in 2008 and is on Conde Nast’s Hot List for 2008. The décor is white and dark woods, very unique antiques, chairs covered in sheepskin and paintings of the farms dogs, sheep and cattle. All of the same wonderful amenities were included plus a heated bathroom floor. They offer Hilltop Suites, two with connecting “Caddy” rooms, Ridge Suites, Lodge Suites and a 4 bedroom, 5 bath Owner’s Cottage. The same clientele as Kauri Cliffs would be applicable. This property is also very secluded, has a fabulous restaurant and it’s own wine cellar.

We did a day tour of Hawke’s Bay with Hawke’s Bay Tiki Tour and visited Trinity Hill Winery, some Art Deco sites, Havelock North and had lunch and wine tasting at Opera Kitchen. No time to shop in Napier but it looked great!

It was well worth traveling so far for only 6 days. I can’t wait to go back and see the South Island!
Gene