New Zealand Luxury Accommodation

Exclusive Accommodation

The preferred accommodation of celebrities and the ultra-rich, exclusive accommodation is the crème de la crème, the most opulent and luxurious accommodation that New Zealand has to offer.  While many places will use the term in advertising, only the lodgings that have earned an Exclusive rating from Qualmark, New Zealand’s official tourism quality agency, can truly call themselves exclusive.  

The process for gaining Exclusive accreditation is exhaustive.  The establishment must first have earned a five star rating and a score of at least 95% in the Hotel, Self Contained or Serviced/Guest and Hosted assessment criteria.  A Qualmark team will then assess the organisation against a long and strict list of criteria, including management stability and suitability of staff.  Once this criterion has been satisfied, an anonymous, unannounced Qualmark assessor will spend a night at the establishment.  If the assessor is satisfied, only then will the lodgings earn a Qualmark Exclusive rating.
Exclusive accommodation affords intimate and individual lodgings in gorgeous locations.  They have excellent facilities and activities and offer unparalleled customer service.  Exclusive accommodation usually takes form as a retreat, hotel or beach villa.  As well as the usual facilities, such as a swimming pool and golf course, they often offer more unique attractions, such as Balinese spa treatment, clay pigeon shooting and eco tours.

Exclusive accommodation is understandably expensive, but can be affordable.  Some lodgings offer discounted packages or a lower rate on less popular times of the week or year (such as Tuesday night, or in the middle of winter.)  Prices are all inclusive, so you don’t have to pay extra for meals or the use of facilities.  For the best deal, try the Qualmark website or any accommodation site that presents the best packages on offer.  You can often book your accommodation on these websites as well.

Exclusive accommodation gives you the opportunity to live like a celebrity; unfortunately, you also need the bank balance of a celebrity.  The extras make it well worth the money and a great experience, if you can afford it.

Boutique Accommodation

If you’d like to kick back with a glass of wine and some delicious gourmet food while enjoying the peace and quiet of New Zealand’s beautiful countryside, you should investigate some of the magnificent boutique accommodation the country has to offer.

There is no all encompassing definition for the term ‘boutique accommodation’ – lodgings differ dramatically and can include cottage houses, historic guest houses, city home stays and even yachts.  A loose definition would describe boutique accommodation as high class, luxurious establishments that provide privacy and individual hospitality.  If it’s an owner operated business, chances are it’s boutique.
Boutique accommodation differs from other accommodation offerings in that it is more personal.  Unlike anonymous hotels, where rooms are usually identical, boutique accommodation is a bit more homely.  Rooms are decorated to the owner’s tastes and each room is normally decorated differently.  Some establishments may employ different themes for each room.

This style of accommodation is often the choice for couples on a romantic getaway or individuals looking for a time out.  While customer service is a priority, staff will generally leave you alone unless you ask for help.  For places that house several people at once (such as bed and breakfasts and beach villas), the rooms are spaced far apart so that you don’t have to deal with neighbours.  Privacy is a strong focus in boutique accommodation.

New Zealand’s gorgeous natural environment provides the backdrop for a huge selection of charming boutique lodges.  Since many people enjoying boutique accommodation prefer to stay in their room, rooms are usually provided with all the comforts you’ll need, such as a spa, bidet, DVD player and reading material.  Some may organise tours and activities for guests.  Breakfast is usually included in the price.  When meals are provided, they generally utilise the high quality, local food and beverages that New Zealand produces.

Boutique accommodation can be expensive, especially if you are staying for more than a few days (these places often offer discounted weekend deals.)  But it combines privacy, excellent customer service and beautiful surroundings and is a great choice for those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
If you’re considering spending sometime in New Zealand’s beautiful rural areas and don’t want to stay in an anonymous hotel, check out the great range of boutique accommodation on offer.