Christchurch & Queenstown Hotels - by ATS Tours

Christchurch, the “Garden City,” is also called the “most English city outside England.” The largest city on the South Island, it is filled with beautiful parks and gardens, through which the Avon River runs. Whale-watching, visiting the International Antarctic Centre, punting on the Avon, hot air ballooning, and wine tasting are some highlights of a visit to Christchurch.

Toward the center of the South Island, Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand. Activities include jetboat rides, garden tours, lake cruises, helicopter flights, bungy jumping, golf, skiing, gondola rides, guided walks, fishing, skydiving, wine tasting, and much more. If there’s any outdoor activity you crave, chances are you can find it in Queenstown! By far the most popular activity is the trip to Milford Sound, including a launch cruise on this stunning fiord.

The South Island Hotels

Hotel / Resort name	Ratings
Copthorne Hotel & Resort Lakefront - Queenstown   Conveniently located within an easy 3-minute walk of central Queenstown, the hotel blends superior facilities and comfort with friendly personal service. Featuring 241 rooms and suites, the property offers stunning mountain and lake views, situated within a tranquil garden setting.		more photos
Copthorne Hotel Durham Street - Christchurch   A leading business-class hotel, which offers a superb central location, a wide range of boutique shopping and cafés, just across from the Casino and Convention Center. Accommodation options cover a range of guest rooms and suites, including 2-bedroom and family suites.		more photos
Grand Mercure Hotel St. Moritz - Queenstown   Grand Mercure St. Moritz captures the essence of its alpine setting with its unique European chalet design, warm lodge-like ambience, and fine cuisine. Located in central Queenstown, this stylish hotel offers a choice of traditional hotel rooms or apartment-sized suites, with panoramic lake and mountain views available.		more photos
Grasmere Lodge High Country Retreat - near Christchurch   Nestled in the mountains, Grasmere is a country retreat of unrivaled charm and distinction. Open fireplaces dominate the large lounge and den. The fine cuisine uses the best local ingredients -- trout caught by guests is often on the menu. Grasmere Lodge offers 7 guest bedrooms and 5 stand-alone chalets. Includes breakfast, pre-dinner drinks, canapés and dinner.		more photos
Heritage Christchurch - Christchurch   Heritage Christchurch, located in the heart of the city on Cathedral Square, offers suite accommodation in the Heritage-listed Old Government Building, while the adjoining tower offers contemporary hotel rooms. Facilities include Madissons restaurant & bar, health club, beauty day spa and state of the art conference rooms. The hotel has 174 rooms.		more photos
Heritage Queenstown    Reminiscent of an exclusive alpine lodge, the hotel has 177 rooms including self-contained suites, a heated swimming pool, sauna, health club and beauty shop. The sensational self-contained three-bedroom terrace villas offer superb views of Lake Wakatipu.		more photos
Matakauri Lodge - Near Queenstown   This luxury alpine lakeside hideaway is just 10 minutes from Queenstown. Completely private, surrounded by native trees, Matakauri boasts uninterrupted lake and mountain views from all rooms. All suites and villas feature separate living areas with a fireplace. Spoil yourself at the new Matakauri Organic Spa, using only natural, organic products.
Millbrook Resort - Queenstown   Situated in some of the most spectacular scenery in the world... a relaxed New Zealand lifestyle at its finest. The Resort's facilities include The Spa at Millbrook, a par-72 championship golf course, three restaurants, bar and a gymnasium including swimming pool and jacuzzis. Four varying styles of luxury accommodation are available.		more photos
Peppers Beacon - Queenstown   Peppers Beacon Queenstown offers stunning lakeside hotel accommodation, just 5-minutes walk from the center of Queenstown and with beautiful lake, mountain or garden views. The stunning location also provides a picturesque backdrop for rest and relaxation. You can use the gym, sauna, spa and massage facilities, or take a walk on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
Remarkables Lodge - Near Queenstown   This beautiful lodge, in a spectacular mountain setting only 10 minutes from town, has the facilities of a small boutique hotel. Luxurious bedrooms, stylish bathrooms and spacious seating areas create a comfortable relaxing environment. Breakfast and dinner are included. Enjoy fine dining from an award winning chef.
Sofitel Queenstown - Queenstown   Luxury in downtown Queenstown, the Sofitel offers 82 opulent rooms and suites featuring DVD/CD, air conditioning, broadband and wireless LAN, espresso machine, double spa tubs with separate shower and L'Occitane amenities. Le Spa Day Spa, exceptional cuisine and an attentive and dedicated team complete the Sofitel experience.		more photos
The George - Christchurch   The George is a luxury boutique hotel of 53 rooms with a superb central location overlooking Hagley Park. It has two award-winning restaurants: 50 On Park and Pescatore. Renowned for its chic luxurious style, passionate attention to detail and warm personalized service, The George offers a unique small hotel experience.		more photos

Time Zones
Pacific Standard Time + 19 hours (+18 hours during Pacific Daylight Time).

Entry Formalities
You must have a passport valid for at least 6 months following your departure from New Zealand. A visa is not required for US citizens for stays under 90 days.

Currency
New Zealand dollar. Decimal currency system. Notes: $5, $20, $50, $100. Coins: 5¢, 10¢, 20¢ and 50¢, $1 and $2.

Bank Hours
Banks are open Monday to Friday, 9:30am-4pm.

Departure Tax
NZ$25 per person.

Electricity
230 volts, 50Hz. Most hotels provide 110V outlets for electric razors. Most power outlets accept three-pin flat plugs or similar adapters.

Language
English is the common language of New Zealanders. The Maori people have their own tongue, which is the country's only indigenous language.

Shopping
Monday through Thursday, 9am-5:30pm. Fridays, 9am-9pm. Exceptions: In some areas, late night shopping is Thursday, and in most cities shops are open Saturday mornings. Some shopping malls are open Sunday. New Zealand is perhaps best-known for its sheepskin products, but you will also find paua shell (abalone) and greenstone (jade) jewelry, woodcarvings, and many other handicrafts.

Tipping
Tipping is not the custom, nor are service charges added. In restaurants, for special service, 10% is an appropriate amount. For taxi drivers or porters, NZ$1 will suffice for normal service.

Climate
Temperate climate - subtropical in the north,and colder in the alpine regions of the south.

Food
The traditional Maori feast is the hangi - food cooked in baskets, in the ground, over hot stones, similar to a luau. There's no shortage of good meat and fresh vegetables. Fish and shellfish are always available, although if you are a trout lover, you must catch your own. The Bluff oyster is seasonal (April to July), but cultivated rock oysters are available fresh almost year 'round. A traditional dessert is the pavlova - meringue covered in loads of whipped cream, topped off with fresh fruit. The major cities have a wide range of excellent restaurants serving cuisine of many different nationalities.