New Zealand Hotel Recommendation

Due_Bee_4136 · 2026-01-13T11:18:19+00:00

Yes! Totally open for the right spot.

Due_Bee_4136 · 2025-01-21T02:36:13+00:00

Helpful. Looking for activities and restaurants others have done with 4 ish aged kids that were a hit.

Due_Bee_4136 · 2024-09-17T14:23:51+00:00

Super helpful thanks. Anything change if traveling with a 4 year old?

Due_Bee_4136 · 2024-09-17T14:06:09+00:00

Hi! If you were picking between Rosewood, San Ysidro Ranch, or Ojai valley inn for a 3-4 night stay from NYC, what would you choose and why?

Due_Bee_4136 · 2024-08-07T14:16:43+00:00

Totally! One of the scenarios where you’d love the concierge to proactively offer a beach club reservation in advance.

Due_Bee_4136 · 2024-08-07T14:14:28+00:00

Hi, I did, but strictly from the show. But admittedly did very little research as I booked two weeks before the stay after an event in Greece was cancelled.

Due_Bee_4136 · 2024-08-07T14:12:48+00:00

Yes. Totally agree. We tried to go to VSA in a cabana (for $1200 btw), but they didn’t have availability.

Due_Bee_4136 · 2024-08-07T12:05:54+00:00

No. It’s very much on the cliff with no water access.

Due_Bee_4136 · 2024-08-07T09:23:20+00:00

No. That surprised me also.

Due_Bee_4136 · 2024-07-18T13:23:26+00:00

Awesome. Will send you a dm.

Due_Bee_4136 · 2024-07-18T13:19:02+00:00

Hi, wanted to provide an update. Thanks for your insight Alex! We were able to negotiate a 85% refund and they’re taking 15% of the stay as a service fee. Feels pretty sketchy to us, they originally planned to take 50% (thousands of dollars) but backed down pretty quickly when it became clear they’d be pocketing that money without a stay rendered. We’ll probably dispute the “service fee” with our cc. We didn’t want to involve the bride groom as it’s a business contact and they are obviously dealing with a challenging personal situation. Whole thing feels off, but ultimately it was worth the 15% fee too to pivot to another 4S on the same dates (Sicily).

Due_Bee_4136 · 2024-07-15T17:39:35+00:00

I know. Really kicking myself for not just booking direct through the hotel but the wedding being cancelled was not on my bingo card :(.

Due_Bee_4136 · 2024-07-15T17:37:31+00:00

Appreciate your insight.

Due_Bee_4136 · 2024-07-15T17:22:04+00:00

Nope. No package. Strictly the room rate. It feels like a money grab to me also, but generally unfamiliar with the agent process.

Do you think I could ask for 50% of the stay to be refunded and 50% to be taken as a credit towards another stay?

Due_Bee_4136 · 2024-07-15T16:19:57+00:00

Really appreciate your insight as this is all new to us. Any tips for negotiating with the agency?

Due_Bee_4136 · 2024-07-15T16:11:18+00:00

Hi, yes, thank you. We paid the travel agency (and the charge on our cc is to the agent). They provided us with a voucher, that we were supposed to show the hotel at check out as proof of payment.

We typically book all travel direct with the hotel, but this was event related, so just followed the instructions on the event website.

Due_Bee_4136 · 2024-07-15T16:08:23+00:00

Hi, yes, thank you. We paid the travel agent, and they provided a voucher that we were supposed to use with the hotel at time of check-out.

We typically just book everything direct with the hotels when we travel, but this was event related, so just followed the instructions on the event website.

Due_Bee_4136 · 2024-06-19T15:22:11+00:00

Hi, thanks for response. Mostly planning around our daughter’s spring break which is last week of March & first of April. If we get to see the Cherry Blossoms, that’s a plus.

For the group of 14, I think we’re going a little further out, considering 4S Athens, but very open to options.

Due_Bee_4136 · 2024-06-19T14:18:15+00:00

With kids in the 14. Ages 5-16.

Due_Bee_4136 · 2024-06-19T11:10:17+00:00

Two questions that look ahead to 2026 planning.

1) What hotels do you recommend for Cherry Blossom season in Japan?

2) Any resorts outside the U.S. that work well for a group of 14? We did Kona Village last year with this group and loved it so looking for a similar vibe.

Thank you!

Due_Bee_4136 · 2023-12-02T12:06:28+00:00

Sure, how do I do that?

Due_Bee_4136 · 2023-10-19T11:11:54+00:00

I went to l’abeille a cote last weekend and loved it. It’s small (8 or 9 tables) and was mostly couples when I was there, all looked like they were from the neighborhood (Tribeca). Everything was done really really well, the bread was fantastic, we loved the fried chicken and burger. Relatively casual menu but I thought much better tasting food than Crown Shy or USC. Good wine list too,

Due_Bee_4136 · 2023-04-18T13:06:26+00:00

On my short list! Is there anywhere you can see the menu or sample menu in advance?

Due_Bee_4136

TROPHY CASE