Lawrence & Wendy McKee
We wish to thank Chris & all at Aboutaustralia.com who enabled our recent trip to Australia & New Zealand. We had 36 vouchers, and in each case had no problem when checking in. We had one minor(...)
(...) issue at the hotel in Napier, and Chris responded right away despite time difference, and it was due to a new hotel clerk not finding our existing booking, and was quickly resolved. Also, Chris responded over Labor Day weekend (really appreciated) regarding our visa status for New Zealand, and we had no problem, since the new visa requirement only happened after our visit. We stayed at 13 different lodgings during our 36-day trip, and it was interesting to stay in both hotels & apartments - all of good quality except for final one- details later. In many cases we were upgraded, so were very pleased with accommodations - however, you could do better than Victoria Lodge at Rotorua. While rooms were clean & owner provided good alternative parking for our vehicle, the "in-room spa" is really outdoors, would have to climb through a window to get in it. Although electric blankets were provided, heating was inadequate, and you could see through the cracks in the door! Owner was very obliging, but we still feel that there are better alternatives in Rotorua - there is an IBIS hotel etc.
All other arrangements were great, sited in good areas for tourism, and several hotels required parking fees since they were downtown, but it was great to be close to the spots we wanted to visit. Thrifty Car rental was great - got upgraded each time! At several locations, car rental stations are not manned all the time, only when customers arrive, a bit unnerving at first, but great when you finally find the Thrifty guy! Other car rentals are similar now, best to warn customers (especially at Greymouth and Wellington).
I am still arranging our photos, & we are preparing for migration to Florida: as soon as I have the best ones arranged, I will send them to you. We certainly loved the excursion to Kaka Point / Nuggets on trip from Dunedin to Te Anaua, would recommend it for more spectacular scenery!
Will continue later - Larry McKee
