Monthly Archives: September 2017

Who’s planning to get away this spring or summer?  A weekend break or maybe that long awaited and talked about road trip around New Zealand!  Our Bella Vista Motel accommodation will be the perfect match for your spring break or summer vacation. Check out these reasons why staying with Bella Vista is a great choice.

With over 27 locations nationwide Bella Vista has welcomed visitors from right across New Zealand and the world. Whilst Bella Vista has been open for business, we have established a strong reputation for convenience and quality becoming a preferred choice enabling tourists to visit New Zealand’s beautiful scenic locations and by offering a quality overnight stop along the way. Be reassured by the familiarity and consistency of our distinctive design and quality of service! Trust Bella Vista because you know what to expect - it's like a home away from home.

The geographic spread of the Bella Vista chain throughout New Zealand ensures that not only do most major towns and cities feature Bella Vista motels, such as Bella Vista Wellington, New Plymouth or Bella Vista Christchurch but so do popular tourist destinations such as Bella Vista Franz Josef and Bella Vista Queenstown. Even locations which you wouldn't necessarily consider first time as a destination offer a great overnight option such as Bella Vista Mosgiel, Palmerston North Bella Vista or Ashburton Bella Vista.  All our motels are conveniently placed in central locations, close to local amenities, and with free car parking on-site for all guests making it easy to unpack for your stay and come and go as you please to explore the local attractions.

Each property has a choice of several room types to suit your needs or budget, from singles, couples and families.  All rooms come equipped with kitchenette, ensuite bathrooms, television with a range of channels and free wifi.  Most of our motels also have a BBQ area for you to crank that summer sausage sizzle and relax into the summer evenings with a well-deserved glass of wine. 

Your friendly Kiwi hosts live on-site offering a safe and secure accommodation option and peace of mind. All Bella Vista motels also offer additional services like guest laundry, continental breakfast and luggage storage. A travel booking service is available and your hosts can offer local knowledge and tips to make your stay more enjoyable. Your hosts will happily book your onward journey to ensure you can stay at your preferred New Zealand accommodation option. 

What is certain is if you have stayed at every 27 Bella Vista’s or even just a small handful - whether it is for accommodation in Hamilton, Napier accommodation or accommodation in Fox Glacier to name just three destinations, you are going to experience a four star Qualmark endorsed level of comfort and be entertained by some of New Zealand’s very best hosts.

Having flexibility with your accommodation reservation process can also make your travel planning for this summer a lot less stressful.   A tempting option when booking on the Bella Vista website is the convenience of our Book Now, Pay Later offers, which allows you to make your booking and only pay when you arrive at your motel.  Another good deal when booking direct is our Best Price Guarantee deal. Refer to our Best Price Guarantee page to find out more and how to take advantage of this offer only available at bellavista.co.nz.
 

At Bella Vista we understand how to meet our customers’ expectations every day, are proud to offer a high-quality standard of accommodation, facilities and service at competitive pricing and delighted to provide genuine kiwi hospitality at every one of our 27 motels nationwide. 

So book now at www.bellavista.co.nz and get your spring and summer off to a cracking start.

Spring has arrived and there is a buzz in the air. From the twittering of the birds to longer daylight hours it's a terrific time of year.  And it’s always exciting when the daffodils come into flower to brighten up our days!

Spring is a time of rejuvenation, to brush off those winter cobwebs and excite the senses with the sounds and sights that springtime offers. It’s also a great time to get away before the crowds of the high summer season.  With 27 locations, the Bella Vista accommodation network are all conveniently placed close to local amenities and attractions, have rooms to suit couples and families, and include free car parking and free wifi. 

So, pack your suitcase and discover and experience some of these destinations that are perfect for your spring break.

Spring Skiing in Wanaka

Wanaka in spring is wonderful, from the sparkling lake to the glistening snow there is so much on offer to explore. With longer days and more settled weather, you can also enjoy it at a more relaxed pace as spring is generally a quieter time.   

Spring skiing is Wanaka’s best-kept secret.  The slopes are quieter, the lift queues shorter and you may even get to ski in a t-shirt!  Check out Cardrona Ski Field as it also extends its last chair till 5pm. Combine this with the many biking or walking trails, 4x4 farm adventures, scenic flights, indoor rock climbing, activities on the lake, jet boating on beautiful rivers, picnics at fantastic parks, whiling away your time drinking coffee or eating ice-cream along the llakefrontor by indulging in a rejuvenating spa treatment at the luxurious Sanctuary Day Spa.

Bella Vista Wanaka is located just 150 metres from the lakefront and is a great Wanaka accommodation option just a one-minute walk to shops, restaurants, galleries and wine bars - you couldn't ask for a better location and your hosts will gladly offer local advice and help you organise any of the many attractions.

The nesting of the Gannets in Napier

The Hawkes Bay is an area that embraces spring with its many blooms and delightful spring festivals. Our Bella Vista motel in Napier, is in a central CBD location, opposite the RSA Napier, four minutes' walk from town and only a matter of metres away is Marine Parade which fronts onto a sweeping stretch of the Pacific Ocean. From your Bella Vista accommodation, you can stroll along the boardwalk and enjoy the playgrounds, aquarium, hot pools, coffee stops and a great little ice cream shop.  The Marine Parade is a show of colour in spring with many blooming spring flowers bringing the promenade to life during this time of year. The Marina Parade Garden, the Sound Shell flower beds and Sunken Garden all add a rich array of colour that are lovely to walk around and delight in. 

Spring in New Zealand is also ‘waterfall season’ - a time to get out and explore our local waterfalls at their peak.  Shine Falls, located about an hour’s drive from Napier, are stunning; up with the best in NZ and are a great day out.  Pack a picnic lunch as it’s a 35 – 40 minute walk in to the falls across farmland and bush. Bring your togs and towel if the weather is favourable.

Of course, Hawkes Bay is also famed for its many vineyards and with its warmer climate many hours can be spent in the wineries wine tasting and dining on the regions fresh produce.  But another attraction not to be missed in spring is a trip out to Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony - the world's largest, most accessible Gannet nesting place.  The season opens in spring with the birds returning from their winter escape to build their nests ready for the arrival of their chicks during December and January.  Trips can be taken by 4WD adventure tour, helicopter safari, tractor and trailer along the beach or you can check out the tide times and do the 10km hike yourself.  It’s a chance to get within a few feet of the colony at top of the Cape’s sheer and barren cliffs.

Talk to your friendly hosts at your Bella Vista Motel Napier and they will provide you with some great tips to ensure you enjoy your day out.

Hamilton in Bloom

Within 2 hours drive of Auckland is the city of Hamilton, renowned for its gardens, cafes, Maori culture, walks, nightlife and sporting events.  It’s located on the banks of the mighty Waikato River and the Bella Vista Hamilton is a great base to explore springtime Hamilton and the wider Waikato region.  There are several walking tracks and cycle trails to explore or try one of the many activities on the river from fishing to boat cruises or kayaking.  Just remember to pack a raincoat in case of the odd spring shower!

Spring is always a wonderful time to visit gardens and Hamilton Gardens is among the best in the world with an abundance of colour, birdlife and butterflies. You will be guided on a journey of discovery as you explore over 20 themed gardens from the Italian Renaissance Garden to the grandeur of the Indian Char Bagh (‘four quartered’) Garden.

If you are a Tolkien fan then a visit to the Hobbiton Film Set is glorious in spring with its lush pastures of the Shire and the enchanting bluebells and Middle-earth gardens which are in full flower.  Only 45 minutes away if you want to self-drive or you can book a tour package including return trip from you Bella Vista Hamilton accommodation.

10 minutes north of Hamilton is the Zealong Tea Estate is New Zealand’s only tea plantation and home to the world’s purest tea. A guided tour is a fantastic option if you want to experience tea picking, tasting, a tea ceremony or their famous signature high tea.

Waterfalls are scattered throughout the region, from the spectacular 55m high Bridal Veil Falls near Raglan to the Wairere Falls, the highest waterfall in the North Island, near Matamata.  These hidden gems are well worth the visit in spring. 

As far as accommodation in Hamilton or Hamilton motels specifically, Bella Vista will meet your every need. The motel offers a great selection of rooms set within a secure courtyard with ample car-parking and free WiFi. Li and Rowena will offer you a warm Waikato welcome and be happy to host you.

Wherever you decide to go to get away this spring, Bella Vista has got 27 excellent placed motels offering plenty to see and do!

Stewart Island or Rakiura is New Zealand's third Island and is absolutely unique. With only 381 inhabitants it is a quiet and tranquil place where native New Zealand wildlife can be found in abundance. The island is predominantly given over to the Rakiura National Park covering about 85% of the island, which limits human incursion to the small settlement of Oban.
 

For the majority of travellers, Invercargill is the main gateway to Stewart Island and Bella Vista Invercargill provides a great stopover option before and or after the amazing experience you will encounter across Foveaux Strait

Many travellers choose Bella Vista as their preferred Invercargill accommodation option before heading south. Not only is Bella Vista the closest Invercargill motel to the town centre but its central location is ideal for a short transfer to Invercargill airport (10 minutes) for a 20 minute flight to Stewart Island or as a departure point for the 20 minute drive to Bluff where travellers can then catch the Foveaux Express, a custom-made catamaran which takes an hour to cross the notorious Foveaux Strait.

From hunting to tramping to fishing to relaxing, Stewart Island is like going back in time. From the moment you set foot on the island, you’ll get the sense of a different way of life. Even the 6 hole golf course is located in a breath-taking setting on the Ringaringa cliffs.

Enjoy watching the changing skies of Rakiura, boasting world-class sunsets and sunrises, the magical sight of the Aurora Australis, or the twinkling stars across a clear night sky. It is something very special and the team at Invercargill Bella Vista can personally testify to that.

Conservation, birds and other wildlife are second to none on the Island. Of particular note, Ulva Island, a small island sanctuary is a dedicated bird reserve set within Paterson Inlet within Oban Harbour is a must visit. Stewart Island is also unique in that viewing the Kiwi in its natural habitat is an amazing experience.

For those of you who are the trampers, Stewart Island is home to New Zealand's southernmost Great Walk - the 3-day Rakiura Track which is only one of many and varied walks and tramps available.

Bella Vista motel in Invercargill has provided hospitality for many tourists on their return to Invercargill. A great shower and comfy bed to help relax the body after some fairly arduous tramping or exploring and ensure Bella Vista is the preferred overnight accommodation in Invercargill for Stewart Island.

Whether it is your first visit or 10th visit to Stewart Island you will never tire of this beautiful part of the world and we here at Bella Vista Invercargill are lucky enough to hear of some of those tales on return stays.
 

For more information on our 4-star quality, Southland Invercargill accommodation and trips to Stewart Island contact us on 03 217 9799. We look forward to hearing from you and hosting you.