Posts Tagged motel
How to Have a Cheap, Active, Fun, New Zealand Holiday
You can have a New Zealand holiday quite cheaply, if you are willing to forgo the luxury items, and plan a holiday around the huge range of wonderful activities enjoying nature in her more natural state! That is…sticking to activities that have no price tag! If you make it a policy to do as much as you can that is free…or almost free, you can still have an amazing New Zealand experience.
Consider these points :
Currency – If you are thinking of New Zealand as a holiday destination, it is a good time to be coming. The exchange rate should be working in your favour, as in these difficult times, our currency has dropped considerably in the last few weeks.
Sightseeing and Activities – Summer, and we are having plenty of sun, and good weather. Travellers can enjoy all the natural features that give us a plethora of >b>FREE activities to participate in.
New Zealand is surrounded by beautiful beaches. They offer a huge variety of activities that will cost you nothing! Swimming, boogyboarding, surfing, fishing, beachcombing…………….what a great way to spend a holiday!
Our bush is magnificent, and there are extensive networks of walking tracks. Whether you want to walk for an hour, a day, or a week, there are tracks you can enjoy. Note that some like the Milford track, are commercial, and relatively expensive experiences. But most, are completely free to use.
At this time of year there are regular free outdoor concerts held in parks around the cities.
Auckland has over 40 spread over the summer season.If you have children, there are a number of lovely play areas to enjoy, many right by beaches, bush areas, or in parks.Free or very cheap entrance fees to museums, and art and craft galleries make most very accessible, even on a small budget.
Parks and gardens are extensive, and give you a place to enjoy picnics, walks and where children can play. Look out for a What’s On brochure and you may well be able to take part in one of the many activities organised in city parks – e.g
- A Teddy Bear’s Picnic
- Kite Day
- Lantern Festival
- Free concert.
- When in Rotorua you could go and see the thermal activity at Kuriau Park without spending a cent, if your budget is very tight. I would suggest trying to go to at least one thermal park.
Accommodation – It is the perfect time to go camping. There are many DOC ( Department of Conservation) camping sites mostly in lovely beachside locations, where you can camp for a very small fee.( About $7 a night.) Facilities are basic – with no hot water……..but you get what you pay for! If you like warm water, use a solar shower to hang in the shower box. The remaining camping grounds, still offer very reasonably priced accommodation. They have communal kitchens and bathroom facilities, that enable you to be self sufficient, rather than having to eat in restaurants.
Transport – There are cheap buses that you can use to get around the country. Naked Buses start from a dollar! Bus passes are another cost effective option, especially if you are travelling solo.
Petrol has dropped considerably in price, and is now back to about $1.38 a litre. With the current climate – it could drop more! If you rent a car, you can still camp, or use the extensive range of hostels, B&B’s, cabins, motels, or other cheap accommodation.
If you want to spend time in each island, you can fly between cities at excellent discounted prices on Air New Zealand’s Grab a Seat, which changes daily. It is cheaper for one person to fly, than take a train, or even drive. A family would find it cheaper to drive.
Meals – Fruit and vegetables are plentiful and cheap at this time of year. You should have no trouble keeping the food bill to an acceptable level. New Zealand has many cheap restaurants ranging from International franchises such as McDonald’s, to Indian, Chinese, and other ethnic cuisine.
There are Farmer’s Markets held all over the country in the weekends. These are an experience travellers thoroughly enjoy, while sampling a range of wholesome, tasty, fresh local food, and arts and crafts.
Use Discount Vouchers Where you Can – Pick up the Tourism booklets at the airport. They will have some discount vouchers that will come in handy while you are here.
I hope this convinces you a cheap New Zealand holiday can still be exciting, and active. You will experience the people, the magnificent scenery, and enjoy a wide range of activities. This is a country that lends itself to travelling on the cheap, with such an abundance of free natural features to experience.
Tags: accommodation, auckland, cheap accommodation, experience travel, holiday, hostel, hostels, motel, motels, new zealand, new zealand holiday, tourism, travel, weatherRelated posts
New Zealand Motels – Tips on Buying and Managing
Buying a motel in New Zealand can be a rewarding investment, both personally and financially, total guest nights in short term accommodation is increasing nationally and all those guests have to stay somewhere.
Buyers from all walks of life are drawn to the accommodation industry and in particular the notion of buying a motel. Motivators looking for a complete change of lifestyle, improving their income and seeking new challenges are what compel many of these potential buyers.
But what are the realities; once the rose tinted glasses have been removed, do these new moteliers find their ambitions of lifestyle and income matching the day to day reality?
Experienced motliers, Gael and Raymond Austen of Coromandel Court Motel, have kindly consented to an interview to answer some of these questions. Previous involvement in the corporate world, which included extensive travel both nationally and internationally, and with associated experiences of accommodation, provided Gael and Raymond with a strong foundation with which to enter the industry.
They bought the Coromandel Court Motel during the winter of 2003 after undertaking meticulous research which encompassed many other motels situated throughout the country.
“We believe the Coromandel Peninsula is the new found place in the North Island, to compliment this, the motel offered the opportunity of building a good solid business with the prospect of expansion to grow the business” says Gael.
The Austens, like many people, purchased the motel for the lifestyle and income that it represented. However, they rapidly found that while there was the income, there was very little lifestyle. After the initial shake down period, they realized that changes had to be made to rectify this and to make the motel function more efficiently. Committing to change typically involves an investment of both time and money, and at a cost of around $30,000 an extra commercial dryer, commercial washing machine and commercial dishwasher were installed.
The investment was worth it – Gael and Raymond now achieve quicker and more professional results, and all importantly the lifestyle has followed suit.
Naturally, when taking over an existing business many purchasers set goals for themselves as to how they will ‘improve’ the existing operation. In this, Gael and Raymond were no different, setting targets for themselves that included developing a first-class corporate clientele as well as increasing the international and repeat guest nights. “We have achieved this by attention to service and offering top level quality. We have also upgraded our computer sites, and in the process become very computer savvy – our goals have been achieved” Raymond explained.
Success in the accommodation industry is based on how your guests perceive you – the provider. Striving to meet (at the very least) or exceed the guests expectations will ensure that your motel will profit from strong repeat and referral business.
Motel features such as spa pools, restaurants, and gyms are part of the guests’ experience, but keep in mind; your motel may have all the features in the world, but if the rooms aren’t clean your guests’ wont return. Get the basics right and the rest will follow.
The Austen’s feel that the continuing success of the Coromandel Court Motel is based on having a solid management team supported by very good staff including an experienced back-up manager. Their motto, which all members of the team follow, is “Clients first, second and third”.
An ongoing challenge for Gael and Raymond has been to ensure that all clientele leave the motel completely satisfied with all aspects of their stay, ensuring that they return and also consequently recommend the motel to friends. I spoke directly to some of the guests to gauge opinion – remarks like “top hosts”, “hygiene the best”, “quiet”, and “best in all our travels in New Zealand” were freely given. A quick glance through the comments in the Motel Visitor’s book certainly qualifies the validity of the Austen’s approach, with many genuine, happy and satisfied guests.
“To be a successful motlier” Gael advises “prior experience in the hospitality industry is very helpful but not essential. A professional approach and manner and outgoing personalities are a must. Prepare to go the extra mile at any time with a smile”
Raymond’s tip for newcomers is “Look for a solid business in a good area that offers the opportunity for potential growth”
Having not only achieved but exceeded the targets set back in 2003, the Austens are now ready for their next challenge. Under their stewardship the Coromandel Court Motel has developed into a shining example of what is possible and the motel now stands in the top arena based on turnover and occupancy for its size. If you are considering buying a motel, take note of Gael and Raymond’s suggestions above.
Tags: accommodation, motel, motels, new zealand, new zealand motel, north island, travelRelated posts
Queenstown, New Zealand Accommodation
You have arrived at your Queenstown accommodation and this rural city is so friendly and welcoming that you will feel right at home staying here. Located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and with majestic mountains as a back drop, Queenstown is a four season lake and alpine resort with many different types of accommodation. Queenstown will feed your imagination, fuel your passions and revitalise your spirits in preparation for the year ahead. This area, settled in 1800’s has seen many races drawn to the area for grazing land and previous to that the Maori who were looking for native greenstone called Pounamu.
Should you make the decision to stay at a Queenstown lodge you will find some of the Southern Hemisphere’s best ski fields in close proximity. They are staffed by people who will be able to give you assistance to enjoy your alpine holiday. There are different classes of slopes to test your skiing skills from beginner to advanced, all within such an easy drive of the available accommodation Queenstown that you will be surprised.
You could find some cheap Queenstown hotels that will make your dollar stretch further so you could take in extra adventures in this delightful country. Accommodation Wanaka could give you more time to explore the area around Lake Wanaka. Your time would be well spent to stay a couple of nights in Wanaka where you can hire guides to explore Mount Aspiring National Park and they will take you to areas that will set your heart racing. There is no better way than to spend your holiday in cities, towns and rural areas like Wanaka New Zealand where it takes just over an hour to travel to Queenstown, this area on the South Island can give you a truly great holiday experience.
There will be a warm welcome and a comfortable bed waiting for you at your Wanaka accommodation. Should you be backpacking your way through New Zealand there are several accommodation options for backpackers. This friendly place on the shores of Lake Wanaka will make you feel at ease.
From Lake Wanaka you could travel to Queenstown and find some really nice Queenstown apartments through a Queenstown rental agent to make the most of this delightful area. There will be a wide range and variety of Queenstown accommodation to suit all budgets no matter how stringent they may be.
When entering the area by road you will see many Queenstown motels offering the traveler options like Queenstown hostels to choose from for your holiday accommodation.
When you arrive in Queenstown travel around and look at the different Queenstown apartment and motel offers that you can take and you are sure to find something to suit your budget. Queenstown has earned it’s reputation as the world’s adventure capital. Not only is there jet boating trips up a canyon, bungee jumping and white water rafting but there are many adventures that will literally have your heart jumping through your tee shirt. Just imagine taking part in any or all of these exciting activities. What a thrill! Like else where on this fabulous isle the welcome is warm and genuine.
No matter why you came to this lovely area of the South Island of New Zealand you can be sure to find some Queenstown accommodation that suits you to a tee.
Tags: accommodation, accommodation wanaka, backpacker, backpackers, holiday, hostel, hostels, hotel, hotels, lodge, motel, motels, new zealand, new zealand accommodation, queenstown, queenstown hotel, resort, ski field, skiing, south island, travel, travel to, wanakaRelated posts