New Zealand: The South Island ​

This seaside hotel on the West Coast has been in the same family for 120 years, making for a unique experience of true hospitality. Its location offers the best of two worlds: in the center of a historic gold-mining town, charming streets are right outside your door for strolling. And since it overlooks the Tasman Sea, the beach is your backyard, and its comfortable restaurant and bar offer great ocean views.

A Unique Escape - Nestled in 5 acres of beautiful and tranquil gardens, the 193-room Chateau on the Park seems a world away from city life. Yet, just minutes from this secluded retreat is the sparkling city of Christchurch, New Zealand. The Chateau on the Park is a resort style hotel nestled between Hagley Park and the beautiful historic home and gardens of Mona Vale, just minutes from the center of Christchurch. Set among 5 acres of beautifully maintained gardens, the hotel offers tranquility and seclusion that you would normally expect to find miles from a city.

Franz Josef Glacier Country Retreat is the quietest and most scenically located property in Glacier Country. Only a few miles north of Franz Josef Glacier, the Retreat’s luxury rooms offer magnificent views of the surrounding snowcapped mountains or lake. During your stay, enjoy the spa-style bathroom and open barbecue pit. In the café, relax with tea, coffee, and fresh-baked goods. Your room features Sky TV, DVD, telephone, tea and coffee making facilities, en-suite bathrooms, balconies, and a mini bar with fridge.

Set against a backdrop of the Southern Alps amongst sweeping lawns, gardens and open rural woodland, this property blends the old and the new. The existing hunting, fishing and skiing lodge, built in the 1980s, has been extensively renovated. The guest lounge has a relaxed, friendly feel with an open log fireplace. A tennis court, outdoor swimming pool and spa, golf practice area and petanque (boules) are all available on site.

Our VBT group is split up between several homestays during our visit. There are local sheep stations (when available) with opportunity for guests to learn about the daily life of a New Zealander. Each homestay offers well-appointed rooms in a B&B setting with lush gardens and swimming pools. And each offers fantastic views in the heart of the mountainous lake country within the Mount Aspiring National Park.

Owned by local ecologists, this riverside nature-lover’s paradise is set amid the rainforest of South Westland. The luxury lodge is landscaped into the rainforest with lawns flowing down to the river’s edge, where there are jumping trout, waterbirds and stunning reflections. View them all from the Riverside Restaurant and Lounge, where you can relax, read, enjoy a drink from the wine cellar and enjoy great wilderness food.

Centrally located in one of the most picturesque settings in the world, Novotel Queenstown Lakeside is nestled beside the beautiful, tranquil Wakatipu Lake on which Queenstown sits. All rooms offer balconies with views of The Remarkables Mountain Range. This fresh, modern hotel offers guests superb, uninterrupted views of the lake, mountains and adjoining gardens. Novotel Queenstown Lakeside also features an excellent restaurant and bar.

The family owned and operated hotel offers travelers 4 star accommodations, as rated by Qualmark. The hotel is conveniently located in Christchurch, within walking distance from local restaurants, shopping and Hagley Park, as well as the Botanical Gardens.

On the edge of the tiny Franz Josef village on the South Island's West Coast is the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier, a warm and welcoming hotel accommodation for visitors to the glacier, rainforest and Westland World Heritage Park. Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier makes the most of its alpine location and offers quality accommodation. The hotel facilities include spa pools to soak in, wireless internet and two restaurants. Each room has refrigerator and mini bar with tea and coffee making facilities.

Sydney’s first over-water hotel is a 1912 restored heritage finger wharf that extends into Sydney Harbor in the famous Rocks district, the entertainment zone between the Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Opera House. Its architecture spectacularly blends contemporary design and local tradition. Features include a glass-floored lobby that allows guests to gaze down into the waters of Sydney Harbor, stunning guest rooms with original wooden beams, steel trusses and contemporary lifestyle furnishings. It has received the Australian Hotels Association Award for Excellence as Best Superior Hotel of the Year.

Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass is nestled in mountain beech forest, midway between Greymouth and Christchurch. Discover wild nature in their spectacular mountain setting and experience life on their 2,400 hectare nature reserve and high country merino sheep station. Walk from your room into a natural paradise of beech forest, tussock clearings, moss-lined streams and lakes.