New Zealand offers a wide range of top-class hotels, exclusive retreats, motels, moderately priced accommodation and guest houses. Rates on the whole are cheaper in rural areas, while every city and town also offers a choice of budget hotels and motels. Budget accommodation, often with self-catering facilities, is increasingly popular. Boutique accommodation is almost always in a historic or heritage building or landmark. They offer a high standard of amenities and individual flair and breakfast is often served to guests in the morning.

Grading: Hotels are graded from 1 to 4 stars. Motels are graded on a separate scale of 1 to 5 stars.

Usually located in restored, older buildings, guest houses and private hotels offer moderately priced accommodation, often with shared bathroom facilities, but with generally high standards.

There is an eclectic mix of hosts and homes to stay in. Guests will have their own room and are served breakfast in the morning.

These are small, intimate establishments with up to 20 rooms offering breakfast and dinner.

The cheapest type of accommodation and particularly popular on the west coast of the South Island.

A number of established companies can arrange farm holidays, where visitors stay with a family as a guest, sharing bathroom facilities. Many farms are conveniently located for outdoor activities such as fishing, skiing and horse trekking. Prices usually include breakfast and dinner.

There are many campsites throughout New Zealand, which is reputed to have some of the world's best camping grounds. Rates and facilities vary considerably. It is advisable to make advance reservations from December to Easter.

Motorcamps, holiday parks, cabins and tourist flats are characteristic of New Zealand. Motorcamps and holiday parks provide sites for tents, caravans and campervans. Many also have cabins, self-contained motels and backpackers lodges. Some are powered, others are non-powered and there is usually access to a shared kitchen, bathroom, dining area, TV lounge and other amenities such as a swimming pool. Visitors are required to provide their own tents and equipment, which can be hired from a number of companies. Occupants are usually required to supply their own linen, blankets and cutlery.

Cabins are ideal for budget travellers and contain only beds and rudimentary furniture (visitors need to bring their own bedding).

Tourist flats are at the top end of the cabin scale and usually offer sheets and bedding as well as fully equipped kitchens. Full details can be obtained from Tourism New Zealand (see Contact Addresses).

Many New Zealanders have a family holiday home that they rent out to friends and others. The homes come in a variety of guises from tiny cottages to large homes. Hiring a holiday home is an ideal way to experience true 'kiwi' living.

The Youth Hostel Association runs over 60 hostels throughout the country, and reservations can be made in advance from December to March.

There are over 350 Backpackers' hostels located all over the country. Budget Backpacker Hostels (BBH) issues a backpacker card entitling the holder to discounted transport within New Zealand as well as pre-paid telephone calls.

Motel Association of New Zealand
PO Box 27-245, 79 Boulcott Street, Wellington, New Zealand
Tel: (4) 499 6415.
Website: www.nzmotels.co.nz

Hospitality Association of New Zealand
Level 2, Radio Network House, Corner Abel Smith and Taranaki Streets, PO Box 503, Wellington, New Zealand
Tel: (4) 385 1369.
Website: www.hanz.org.nz

Boutique Lodgings
PO Box 911070, Auckland, New Zealand
Website: www.lodgings.co.nz

Youth Hostel Association
PO Box 436, Level 1, 166 Moorhouse Avenue, Christchurch, New Zealand
Tel: (3) 379 9970 or 0800 278 299.
Website: www.yha.org.nz

Budget Backpacker Hostels (BBH)
208 Kilmore Street, Christchurch, New Zealand
Tel: (3) 379 3014.
Website: www.backpack.co.nz