Don't close this window before checking out all the accommodation options - especially the "Cheap Options" section which is updated almost daily!



Yes, it's November already!

Hi and welcome back to our blog. For those of you who thought this was going to be a daily blog up to the day of our wedding - thanks, but eh... no.

We've successfully sent out all the invites - the second round (unsuccessful deliveries and late addresses) was completed last week.

If for some reason, you have not received our wedding invite, a big apology. Send us a note to lukeandnaeema@gmail.com. The process is manual, and we have had the odd hiccup. But so far everyone loves the card, so we'd love you to get one too - whether or not you can make it on January 3rd.

Note: Please check this blog every day or so now, as we'll add whatever snippets below this as they come. There's plenty more hotel stuff for instance, to come.

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Hotels, Hotels, Hotels

As expected, people visiting from overseas are starting to ask us about hotels. Rightly so - we suggest everyone books their rooms before or by the end of November.

There are three we suggest in terms of comfort, value and access to the wedding venue. All are downtown hotels in the heart of the city, and close to the sea. If you are just staying three days and want an easy option, grab one of these.

Some do want a longer stay, or a cheaper one, or both. Scroll further below, we have some of those too...

1. InterContinental Hotel Wellington
InterContinental
WELLINGTON
2 GREY STREET
WELLINGTON, 6000 NEW ZEALAND
Hotel Front Desk: 64-4-4722722
Hotel Fax: 64-4-4724724

Web: http://www.wellington.intercontinental.com

OR http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ic/1/en/hotel/wlggs?_requestid=748212

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2. The Duxton Hotel Wellington

170 Wakefield Street,
Wellington 6011
New Zealand

Telephone : 64 4 473 3900
Facsimile : 64 4 473 3929

Web: http://www.duxton.com/well.htm

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3. The Museum Hotel Wellington

Museum Hotel - Hotel de Wheels
90 Cable Street
Wellington
New Zealand

Email: info@museumhotel.co.nz
Voice: +64 4 802 8900
Fax: +64 4 802 8909

http://www.museumhotel.co.nz/

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Wedding Rate @ The InterCon

We're trying to get everyone a decent rate for these hotels. Currently, InterCon has the following deal. We should know about the others in the next week. We're quietly confident of a good deal at the others too.

Lisa Miller of InterContinental Wellington decribes the deal. Please note, book directly with them as she suggests, and do so before December 1st.

Note that GST is 12.5%, and that the NZ Dollar is just slightly higher than Singapore's, though it is lower than the Aussie Dollar. Check www.onda.com to be sure.

Anyway, Lisa writes:

"We are happy to offer the following;

January 2-4, 2007
75x ROH Queen Rooms (1x Queen Sized Bed) or ROH Twin Rooms (2x Double Beds) @ $160.00 + GST per room / per night

For an extra $75.00 + GST we also have Club King Rooms (1x King Sized Bed) or Club Twin Rooms (2x Double Beds) available. The surcharge covers the higher room category and exclusive access to the InterContinental Club Lounge and full use of its facilities. Amenities include refreshments on arrival, evening pre-dinner drinks and canapes, continental breakfast, free local calls, free internet access (up to 100mb) and free pressing of one garment.

I have assumed that guests will be booking their accommodation directly? If this is the case, I have set up a Courtesy Block under the code 'WED' - the guests have 2 options;

1) email their details and requirements to reservations_wellington@interconti.com quoting the Block Code 'WED'
or
2) call one of our CRO offices and quote the Group & Convention Code 'WED'

The above rates will be available up to December 1st, 2006. Any requests after that time will be confirmed on a subject to availability basis."


Thanks Lisa, and to Mark Newton, for the help with this.

If that sounds great, book it. If you'd like to hold for the others, let me know.

For those looking for "funky" options a little further from the wedding site, I'll publish one or two of those as I get hold of the details.

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Cheap options!

(Posted: November 17th)

Central City Apartments

Thanks to Glenn and Jenny, we've block bookings for the wedding group at 2 very centrally located venues.

Jenny has block booked some 1-bedrooms at Central City Apartments at a rate of NZ$125, includes GST, and breakfast. When calling to book into the Central City apartments, please advise that you are with the Property Institute group booking. This way you'll be guaranteed the rate of $125 including GST.

Telephone 64 4 385-4166; website: http://www.centralcityhotel.co.nz/


Just Hotel

Following on from our post a couple of days ago, Jenny has also secured a group booking at Just Hotel for us. Please quote the following group booking number: 60452. This reference will guarantee the rate of NZ$109 + GST. Telephone +64 4 801-8118

There is no particular person to speak to when calling to make a reservation as both hotels have several different staff looking after accommodation bookings, however quoting the above will guarantee the rates.


Quest on Johnston

I got a reply from Quest on Johnston on their Jan rates for the studio, 1- and 2-bedroom apartments which sound rather decent. I've included below the rates they've indicated, which are for stays less than a week/daily rates. It's within the CBD area and Lambton Quay (a nice, kinda posh Wellington style shopping area) but still only about 10-15mins walk to the wedding venue and still a walkable distance from Cuba Street and Courtenay Place.

http://www.questjstreet.co.nz/index.site.rates.2159.html

Studio Apartment (Queen Bed) $99.00 incl GST
One bedroom Apartment (Queen Bed) $109.00 incl GST
Two Bedroom $199.00 incl GST


(Posted: November 16th)

Quest

Quest on Terrace
Here's a studio apartment we found, which is currently quoted as NZ$89 if you visit the URL below as opposed to the Quest corporate website. It's the best deal we found so far for a studio right in the heart of the city. Just type in your arrival and departure dates, then click "Change".

http://www.seekom.com/accommodation/Property.php?op=attow&pid=2050


Quest on Johnston (in Lambton Quay)
This next has an offer for NZ$129 for a one-bedroom apartment. Enquire through the weblinks below:
http://www.questjstreet.co.nz/index.site.rates.2159.html


Quest on Gilmer (near Lambton Quay) - the URL to the rates:
http://www.questgilmer.co.nz/bookingSearchMultiple.html


Quest on Willis
A good summer special is the NZ$95per night for the Executive Studio apartment. From the website, Quest on Willis is a 3-star property but Willis Street is very central and is a good location. Check out the website:
http://www.questonwillis.co.nz/


Archibald Apartments
Here's a good option for those looking for more room - the 2-bedroom apartment is a great deal at NZ$200 a night. The URL:
http://www.archibaldapartments.com/html/apartments.html


(Posted: November 15th)

Holiday Inn, Just Hotel
1) There is a new Holiday Inn opening early December... stay tuned for rates.

The new Holiday Inn is located in Featherston Street, quite central. However the hotel is just waiting for final confirmation of the completion date (should be 9 December). Once the date has been advised I will be able to obtain a rate – we would envisage the rates being around $110-$120 + GST.

2) Just Hotel have offered a rate of $109 + GST. We're told it’s small but a good location. See www.justhotel.co.nz. GST is 12.5% so that’s $122 per night. An easy walk to the Boatshed and a cheap taxi home.

3) There a few good apartment deals - we're checking them out now. Watch this space!

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Drinks evening before & picnic day after

For those coming to our wedding, we will have a welcome drink at one of Wellington's nicer establishments on Tuesday night, January 2nd. We'll give you all details once we figure out who's going to be open.

There will be a mid-afternoon picnic on Thursday the 4th also, at a picteuresque outdoors location. A good spot to catch-up, and farewell many of you. We promise nothing too taxing, do bring shades.


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Grab a (plane) seat!

Guys, seriously, if you've still not booked your international tickets to New Zealand, do so now. It's peak time over Xmas/New Year (which rumour has it is summer), and there are just fewer flights to NZ than to countries like Australia.

Exploring NZ: Most of you coming from far away are planning to do a bit of a walk-about in New Zealand before or after, and rightly so.

If so, I suggest you bookmark this link, as it has Air New Zealand's domestic specials at lovely low prices. But as it suggests, Grab a Seat is literally the advice, as the deals are of the "Today's Specials" nature.

http://flightbookings.airnewzealand.co.nz/vgrabview/