Understanding New Zealand Accommodations

While looking online to book accommodations in New Zealand, know that American standards for a star ratings may not line up with New Zealand's accommodations. Most budget accommodations listed, even hotels were more like what we would consider a simple motel room.

Silo Stay in Little River

Punakaiki

Although we primarily stayed in our caravan that had room to cook, with a comfy bed, we booked a few places along the way to break up the journey in order to sleep in a real bed. We found the accommodations to be clean but simple with very basic amenities and few thrills. We were surprised by the varied accommodations in New Zealand and not are the signs fit into standard grouping. To to tell you the truth, it’s hard to know exactly what you're booking if doing it online.  So do your research.  Before booking accommodations outside of campgrounds, check out the titles and descriptions below to better know what you are getting into. And if you're like us, book a room ensuite which means bathroom included.

Here are a few of the places (and not the entire list) that we saw along the way.

• Motels & Hotels Ensuite - Unless you are putting out the cash for a 3 or 4 star accommodations expect a clean and sparely appointed room similar to our budget hotels or motel. And always ask for an ensuite room for the luxury of an attached bathroom.

• Homestay Motel and B&B - Although we didn't end up staying in a Bed and Breakfast homestay, we heard good things about them. Beyond just a bedroom in a house, staying at these properties are like going on holiday to a friends place.

• Camping - There are three types of camping in New Zealand. Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites can be found all around the country, often in remote wilderness areas and national parks. The facilities vary, but they all have stunning locations. Holiday Parks provide powered and non-powered sites for tents, caravans and camper vans and motorhomes. There are clean and well-maintained shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. Freedom Camping in New Zealand is considered camping in a tent, camper van or motor vehicle on public land, on a site with minimal or no facilities, such as toilets or showers. See Cracking the Camping Code for more details.

• Campgound Cabins - Think basic when booking accommodation that are attached to a campground. Unless your cabin is ensuite, make sure you are comfortable using a communal campground bathroom that maybe a few steps away from your room.

• B&Bs Premium Homestays - These are simply the luxurious end of B&B accommodation. Properties are generally historically listed, contemporary or unique homes converted into high-end guest houses.

• Hostels & Backpackers Hostels - For these accommodations you might want to get ready to get cozy with mostly student and young explores.B ackpacker hostels are the perfect option for those on a budget. You'll meet like minded travelers and make new friends. For us, we preferred a more separate experience such a single room including a bathroom.

• Farmstay & Farmhouse B&B - If you want a real taste of authentic Kiwi farm life, a farmstay is a unique accommodation option. Included in the stay you may be asked to roll up your sleeves. Be prepared to pitch in!

• Lodges - These accommodation can range from high end to a country style inns. Usually located outside of big cities, in the countryside, plan on relaxing out of the tourist track. Probably the most important booking for us was the Milford Sound Lodge. It was by far the most beautiful campground nestled in the woods with a five star restaurant and wine bar. Get this one early. Its so worth it.

• Guesthouse and Cottages - A cottage is called a bach (pronounced 'batch' /ˈbætʃ/), also called a crib in the southern half of the South Island. They usually consist of a small, often modest holiday home or beach house in New Zealand.

  In the cities, you can find more like American conventional motels and hotels. For our exit, we stayed in a sweet place called Hotel Give in the sparkling city of Christchurch. And then there are the lively cities like Wanaka and Queenstown where places to stay were many and a bit more expensive.  We managed one night in Wanaka and then returned to camping.  All in all, we felt the most comfortable and slept the best in our camper, our little Weka.