sxv

Does anyone have first hand knowledge or can compare the following hotels? <BR><BR>A-Line Hotel<BR>Copthorne Lakefront<BR>Garden Court Suites<BR><BR>Thanks!

LN

I saw them while in Queenstown but didn't stay there. Most of the hotels in Queenstown looked pretty good. On the lake Rydges looked good. On the hill Millenium looked good and the food was good. For the price Hurleys was very good and quite reasonable and offered suites. <BR>We had a great time in queenstown - delightful city and people too - lots to do don'tforget to take the steamship ride on the lake and also go to the top of the Remarkables (cause they are truly remarkable) Good food, nice people, reasonable hotels.

John

sxv:<BR>We stayed at the Rydges on two different occasions. The view of Lake Wakitipu and the Remarkables is breathtaking. The hotel is a 4 star hotel. The rooms are a bit jaded but exceptionally clean. The staff is most accommodating. The walk to town is about 5 minutes and along the lake.<BR>Their web site is www.rydges.com.<BR>If and when we return for a 3rd time, we'll stay there again.<BR>John

sxv

Thanks both LN and John for the suggestion of Rydges. The views look incredible from the photos and the rates are less than some of my other choices. I appreciate the guidance!

Kim

Hi,<BR> I know you asked about hotels in Queenstown, and I really don't have any information on them. Just wanted to tell you we just got back from NZ yesterday (it is more awesome than any words can describe - the scenery and the people) but we stayed in a beautiful B&amp;B in Queenstown called &quot;Birchall House&quot;. The most gorgeous view and the gracious and helpful hosts.<BR>Have a great time!

Melanie

We stayed at the A-Line Hotel last year. Our room was really nice (#425) but it faced a noisy street - all night we'd hear cars accelerate as they climbed the steep hill in front of the hotel. The hotel was very nice, but if you want peace and quiet, I wouldn't recommend it.<BR><BR>We were in Queenstown again in September 2002 and we FINALLY found a quiet place to stay - Villa Del Lago. It's a new complex of individually owned vacation units. We stayed in #15, which had unobstructed views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, and was by far the the quietest place we've ever stayed in Queenstown.<BR><BR>Our unit was similar to a condo, with bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom. It was nicely appointed with a heated floor in the bathroom, a gas fireplace in the living room and a well equipped kitchen.<BR><BR>Villa Del Lago has one bedroom units perfect for couples, or three bedroom units for families. We paid NZ $165 (about $80) for a one bedroom unit.<BR>www.villadellago.co.nz.<BR><BR>We'd stay here again in a heartbeat.

sxv

Thanks, too bad I didn't read these additional suggestions before I left.<BR><BR>We stayed at Rydges in Queenstown, which was merely ok, its website was a bit misleading in my opinion in that many of the rooms were quite cramped compared to the one picture they showed, and the entire hotel was somewhat dated and worn out looking. It's considered 4 star by the books but it seemed less. The views of Queenstown were quite stunning though.<BR><BR>Fortunately we soon figured out that &quot;motel&quot; in NZ means something different than &quot;motel&quot; in the US, and we found some lovely clean, spacious and affordable accommodations throughout the South Island. What an incredible place!

Finicky Travler

I had the Most Incredible stay at the Pencarrow Inn in Queenstown. Please read the letter I just sent to several travel guide companies.<BR><BR><BR><BR>To Whom It May Concern:<BR><BR>My husband and I just returned from our honeymoon trip in New Zealand, Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora. While in New Zealand, we had the great fortune of staying at an Inn named Pencarrow. The inn, located in Queenstown, recently opened and, as such, is not in your guidebook. I write to advise you to include Pencarrow in your next publication and to give them at least one star. <BR><BR>Staying at Pencarrow was truly the highlight of our entire honeymoon (It beat Le Meridian Bora Bora’s over-the-water bungalows by a landslide). Each time I reflect on our stay, I continue to be impressed by the beauty of the Inn, its striking views, and most of all, the warmth and generosity with which the innkeepers, Bill and Kari Moers, hosted us. I have traveled ALOT, but have rarely been treated this well. The following is one example (one of many) of the detailed-attention they gave us: <BR><BR>While munching on Kari’s DELICIOUS, homemade hors devours during the Pencarrow cocktail hour, Jim and I talked to Bill and Kari about the local apples. The next morning we went to breakfast and found that Kari made us fresh apple juice with the local apples. <BR><BR>By the end of our scheduled stay, we loved Pencarrow so much we did not want to leave. So, we cancelled our reservation at the next Inn were suppose to visit, paid their cancellation fee, and stayed an additional day. What more can I write, I give Pencarrow my HIGHEST recommendations. <BR><BR><BR>Sincerely, <BR><BR>Finicky TRAVLER<BR><BR>General Information:<BR>The rate was 350 NZ (@ 170 US) with a FANTASTIC breakfast and cocktail hour. <BR>To see a picture of the Inn, go to WWW.FRIARS.NZ.CO. Once there, click on LISTINGS and scroll through the “P’s” until you find Pencarrow. The Photographs do not depict how truly special Pencarrow is, but it is a start. <BR>