Hotels in New Zealand have many features that differ from those of other countries and may surprise foreigners. Standards relevant to Europeans can look very different in New Zealand due to local traditions, climatic ways of thinking and approaches to organizing life.
The peculiarities of local hotels often become a topic of discussion. Here are some of the most unique aspects of New Zealand hotels that are rare abroad.
Lack of central heating
The lack of central heating in hotels and accommodation may seem unusual in New Zealand, but it is common in Europe. The locals designed 95% of the buildings for a warm weather or climate where winters are not very cold, like in Northern Europe. Most older hotels do not have radiators or a single system that heats the entire room. The locals use pumps for heating, expensive air conditioning systems with cooling functions or electrical appliances. According to a BRANZ study, less than 5% of New Zealand households previously had central heating, a stark difference to many EU countries.
It is possible to find hotels with central heating only in:
- Dunedin;
- Queenstown;
- Christchurch;
- Invercargill;
- Part of the South Island.
New Zealand residents may notice this difference in winter on the South Island, in places near Christchurch or Dunedin. At night the temperatures there can be close to zero. 70% of rooms may only have heating, while only suites have warm radiators. According to 2023 statistics, the proportion of households where a heat pump is the main source of heating has increased to 66.8%, while previously this type of system was less common. This is due to the country’s climate and building history, but it is important for tourists to be prepared.
No casinos in hotels
In the middle of the complex there is no typical casino, which is often found in other parts of the world. The gambling industry is strictly regulated by the government, resulting in many gambling clubs being closed. Most large hotels operate outside casinos and do not operate gaming arcades on their territory. This may seem unimportant, as hotel casinos are part of the standard infrastructure for Europeans in many tourist destinations. This type of format is most common in the SkyCity Auckland complex in New Zealand, where the hotel is combined with a casino and an entertainment area.
SkyCity in central Auckland is one of the best-known examples of good connectivity in the region. This complex immediately expanded hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues and casinos, so it will soon be transformed into a great city center. However, this does not mean that every hotel in New Zealand has similar options. The focus of most investments is on accommodation, nature, service and guest comfort. Local authorities do not prohibit hotels from playing in online casinos using their mobile phones and bank transfers Common Bonus Pitfalls on the Casinos Analyzer website.
Beds in the rooms
In New Zealand hotels, a double bed consists of two separate single mattresses that are connected to each other. Locals prefer it and call it “split bed”, so this approach is often used in the hotel industry. This is a practical solution for hotel management as a room can be quickly prepared for both a couple and two single guests who enjoy playing casino games. On business trips or group trips, the rooms can be easily adapted to different needs. This is a common practice that is not perceived as a disadvantage by New Zealand residents, but people who are used to large mattresses may notice the difference.
There may be a small gap or you may feel a difference in mattress stiffness between the two parts of the bed. Such a nice format is viewed more as a temporary solution in EU countries, but shared beds can also be found in quite comfortable hotels and apartments in New Zealand. In addition, the prices for two single mattresses are lower than for a double bed because they are a rarity. However, there are solid double mattresses in hotels, but tourists have to take a closer look.
Wi-Fi connection
Free Wi-Fi in New Zealand hotels may have speed or data usage limits. You may find this in smaller motels and remote areas. This is less common in larger city hotels, but outside of Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch the situation may be different. The reason is the high cost of a good connection in remote areas. According to the New Zealand 2023 Census90.5% of local households had access to WiFi. This indicates a high level of connectivity in the country. Network speed and stability may be slower in rural areas than in major cities. Therefore, hotels set limits to control internet costs for a large number of guests.
If free Wi-Fi isn’t enough, additional access at facilities can cost between NZ$5 and NZ$20 per day. Older motels sometimes charge for faster connections or additional data packages. Many new hotels will be using fast fiber optic networks in 2026 as WiFi is an integral part of the lives of New Zealand citizens. According to international data, the number of fixed broadband connections in New Zealand was 37.85 per 100 people in 2023. In most cases, problems with WiFi can occur in the mountains, on beautiful islands or near natural parks.
Motels are more popular than classic hotels
Motels are one of the most popular accommodation options when traveling between cities in New Zealand. Unlike many European countries, motels in New Zealand are not associated with cheap roadside accommodation. This type of apartment has spacious rooms, kitchens, parking spaces and conditions comparable to those of regular hotels. Tourism of New Zealand says there are more than 4,000 accommodation options in the country, including many motels and comfortable apartments. Tourists choose them due to their practicality and the ability to stay for several days, which is convenient for traveling between regions where the distances between cities can be significant.
The main reasons for the popularity of motels are:
- Parking near the room. Convenient for those traveling by car;
- Kitchen in the room. You can cook without visiting a cafe;
- More space. There is a separate relaxation area;
- Affordable price. Cheaper than large hotels;
- Accommodation conditions. Suitable for short and long trips.
This format fits well with the lifestyle in New Zealand, where many people travel by car to beautiful parts of the country. In smaller cities, motels are often the main accommodation option instead of large hotel complexes. They are close to highways, natural areas and beautiful routes. However, tourists and locals should be aware that they will not find casinos in motels either, as their regulation is quite problematic in the country.
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Featured photo by Amy Michelle Hardcastle on iStock.
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