Hotels in New Zealand

New Zealand Hotel Tips - Hot to Save On Accommodation

New Zealand has long been a beloved hiking destination. Boasting some of the most breathtaking mountain landscapes on earth, New Zealand offers breathtaking hiking opportunities.

New Zealand custom dictates tipping hotel porters and concierge, but restaurant and tour guide staff should only receive gratuity if their services were truly exceptional.

1. Book Early

New Zealand is an idyllic country of breathtaking mountains and idyllic beaches, making it an idyllic travel destination year-round for skiers or those seeking adventure. However, travelers need to keep certain things in mind when traveling here - from logistics to local etiquette; here are a few tips to ensure their travel is enjoyable and stress-free.

New Zealand does not expect its residents to tip restaurant staff unless their service exceeds your expectations, nor hotel porters for transporting your luggage directly into your room. Furthermore, gratuity for tour guides is unnecessary since they receive fair wages for their work.

Even if you're on a strict budget, these tips will help you save money while enjoying all of New Zealand's attractions and experiences. So start planning now, and don't forget to book flights and hotels early!

2. Negotiate

New Zealand is well known for being very traveler-friendly and tourism workers are experienced at dealing with tourists. Yet tipping isn't an expected part of Kiwi culture and thus not recommended.

If a waiter has gone above and beyond for you, a 10% tip would likely suffice; however, as many restaurants and bars do not depend on tips as a source of revenue, tipping may not always be necessary.

TIPping hotel concierges or porters isn't customary unless they have provided exceptional service, although leaving some cash behind for the cleaning staff at checkout may be left as a gesture but isn't required.

At cafes and smaller restaurants, tipping is customarily done via tip jar that the staff will share among themselves at the end of each day. In addition, tour guides should receive an extra tip in their tips jars.

3. Book Online

Booking hotels online can save money in New Zealand. This is because many travel websites compare prices from various travel agencies to find you the best possible deal, while sites like trivago provide insight into any discounts or special offers for hotels of interest.

Tipping in New Zealand isn't common as most service workers earn sufficient wages to survive without additional donations from patrons, however if your service was exceptional it's always nice to leave a small tip if possible.

New Zealanders are generally laid-back people and won't take offense if you accidentally offend them with your tipping practices. Most will recognize that you are simply contributing to the local economy and will appreciate your honesty; some may even be flattered! To avoid offending anyone, leave discreet modest tips of $5 or under as this should keep everyone happy.

4. Stay Local

New Zealand is a beautiful country, boasting many different forms of affordable lodging options to fit every budget. Knowing all your options will allow you to select one that best meets your needs and lifestyle.

Holiday parks provide affordable cabins for non-campers, hostels are great places for solo travelers and Airbnb is an integral part of New Zealand's local economy. Keep in mind that New Zealand has an anti-smoking law in public buildings so ensure that any accommodations you book prior to visiting are smokefree.

Tipping may not be as common in New Zealand, but you should still leave a small tip if you experience exceptional service. Tipping can especially helpful at cafes where staff tend to work as part of a team and share tips between themselves. When tipping your hotel porter or concierge it's often best to leave discreetly on checkout.