Michelle Srzich

The only complaint is we thought we were being quoted in NZ$. We are Canadian. When we paid it was the first time we saw it was USA$. we booked late so had tompay all up front. We were shocked that is was American$ which is about 40% more.

Michelle was great and quick to answer any of our questions.

Our car rental experience in Auckland was not memorable. The car reserved for us was a Subaru Outback, not an SUV, and it was not clear that the hotel parking charges were not included. The itinerary was long and winding, repetitive, and confusing. A simple daily summary with details about other attractions in the appendix would have served better. The font size was too small. Most accommodations were reasonable except Rotarua. Overall, it was a good trip.

Hotel Reviews

Sudima Lake Rotorua

Rotorua

avoid

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sudima

Christchurch

small rooms. Parking is additional. Good breakfast

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Peppers Bluewater Resort

Lake Tekapo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kamana Lakehouse

Queenstown

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

front desk needs training in politeness

Cleanliness & Comfort

Distinction Dunedin Hotel

Dunedin

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

The Mayfair

Christchurch

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Christchurch Tramway Tour

Christchurch

advance tram map would have been helpful

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Larnach Castle Tour - unguided

Dunedin

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Scenic Flight - Mt Cook Franz and Fox Magic - by heli from Tekapo

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fly Cruise Fly – Queenstown to Milford Sound by scenic flight

Queenstown (NZ)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Historic Steamship Cruise to Walter Peak Farm + BBQ Dinner

Queenstown (NZ)

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Yellow-eyed penguins

Dunedin

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a wonderful trip, expertly arranged by Kimkim. Michelle stayed in touch with us constantly to be sure everything was going smoothly. She quickly came up with a solution to a problem with our rental car so that it was no hassle at all for us. All of our accommodations were great. Our tours were perfect for us. I cannot recommend this company enough and would book through them again in a heartbeat.

Hotel Review

Church Hill Boutique Lodge

Stewart Island

Our room was lovely. The service as personal. The food was amazing. We loved this place.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The big hill up was a bit challenging, but Chris will come down to pick you up. A lovely location.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Kiwi Spotting Encounter

Stewart Island

Dan was a great, knowledgeable guide. We saw kiwi!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We did see kiwi, because Chris really knew what he was doing.

Te Anau Glowworm Caves

Te Anau

I cannot say enough about how amazing this was.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We absolutely loved our trip to New Zealand! Michelle was fantastic in helping us understanding some of the amazing places and activities available. We really we were able to do and see much more with her help in organizing and planning from biking, rafting, hiking, flying, fjord's, ballooning, glaciers, star gazing, jet boating and majestic scenery. We loved our visit impart because of Michelle's help and expertise.

Activity Reviews

Jet Boat the Shotover River

Queenstown (NZ)

Fly Cruise Fly – Queenstown to Milford Sound by scenic flight

Queenstown (NZ)

Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience

Rotorua

Mt Cook half day Heli Hike

New Zealand

wow

Ferry to Waiheke Island

Auckland

Eco Zip - Flying Fox ziplines & Native Walks Experience

New Zealand

Timber Trail day 2

Ongarue

Timber Trail Day 1

Ongarue

Rafting Kaituna River, grade 5

Rotorua

The Crater Experience - stargazing Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

amazing experience in seeing our universe.

We had a great time. The planning looked like it took a lot of work. The only activity that we did not do was the dinner at Ahi and we were not picked up at the airport. The accommodations were nice. The only issue was the Chalet Queenstown. It was a little loud, hot and the limited breakfast times did not fit our schedule either day that we were there. The pure pod was awesome. If possible we would definitely use this company again. Thank you for your help and hard work.

Hotel Reviews

The Prince's Gate Hotel

Rotorua

This hotel was unique and we had a great stay. The staff was very nice and the breakfast was good. We got to walk to most of our activities from the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Vicarage Geraldine

Geraldine

This hotel was unique. I loved it. There were so many thoughtful details. The location was great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Hermitage Hotel

Mount Cook Village

Nice hotel. The rooms were pretty basic but the views were outstanding. They provided the best breakfast during our trip. We were able to walk to our scheduled activity and to a few hikes.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

PurePod Rakiura Stewart Island (Hananui)

Christchurch

This was a very interesting experience. I loved it. It was a bit of a hike to get to but very much worth it. I would have liked to have had the electrical power to dry my hair but it worked out. I was sad to leave.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Chalet Queenstown

Queenstown

This was a cute place. There were some issues. It was very hot and loud in our room so it was difficult to sleep. The breakfast was only from 8a to 9:30a. We had to be out before 8a both days that we were there. The hostess did make sure that we had some cereal and toast. My husband had to wake her up on the day we were leaving because she had us blocked it with her car. There were so many hotels in that city with views of the lake but our room had a view into the house next door.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sudima Auckland City

Auckland

It was a basic hotel. It did the job.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Ahi Restaurant - 4 snacks and 4 courses

Auckland

We canceled our reservation because after looking at the menu, I was not confident there was going to be anything I would like.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

New Zealand

We loved this tour. It was one of the first things we did and it set the trip off well. The drive there was beautiful. The tour was great .

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Te Pā Tū Māori Feast & Performance

Rotorua

It was nice that the company drove us to the location from a convenient location. It was interactive and interesting. The dinner was good. It rained on us a little bit but it was still good.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Zipline Canopy Tour

Rotorua

This activity was a lot of fun. It was nice that they put so much about conservation into the tour. The staff was wonderful.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Glowworm Paddle Board Tour

Rotorua

This was an amazing experience. Kayaking at night was very cool, the glow worms were beautiful, and the star gazing was amazing. It was a little cold and late but not much can be done about that.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kayak Tasman Glacier Lake

New Zealand

It was okay. There wasn't much to it even though it was 5 hours long. Most of the time was walking to the location and getting the boats set up. The guide was very intense. This is one that we probably wouldn't do again.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fly Cruise Fly – Queenstown to Milford Sound by scenic flight

Queenstown (NZ)

Great experience. The flight was great. We had so many amazing views. The cruise was also great.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Safari of the scenes Glenorchy (LOTR)

Queenstown (NZ)

This was a nice tout. The scenery was great and the guide was friendly.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This is our third global trip with KimKim and is was good service but not great. Our last two trips the specialists were so excited to get us to the perfect spots (hotel, winery, guide). This trip felt like it was a generic trip planes for anyone. We found most of the great spots ourselves with help from the locals.

I will definitely use KimKim again but hope to get the “exceptional service” is usually get.

I had the absolute best time on my New Zealand trip, all thanks to KimKim and their amazing local guide Michelle! From start to finish, everything was organized so seamlessly that all I had to do was show up and enjoy the adventure.

I kicked things off in Auckland, where I was greeted with a hotel room that had a window view so beautiful it felt like I was in a postcard. Day one started with a bang at the Weta Workshop, which is an absolute must for any movie buff. Michelle called me on day two to check in and casually save the day by reminding me that Ubers were a great way to get around. Later, I was whisked away to pick up my rental car, and drove to Hobbiton, which felt like stepping into a dream.

Michelle made sure I always had enough time to get from city to city without ever feeling rushed and the hotels were consistently stellar. She also hit it out of the park with her activity recommendations. The Maori Cultural Experience in Rotorua? Unforgettable. The Waitomo Glowworm Caves, zip-lining and the Wai-O-Tapu hot springs? Pure magic!

Every single activity was thoughtfully chosen and perfectly tailored to my tastes. Even the little touches were perfect—like the recommended restaurants and lunch stops, which came in so handy. If you’re on the fence about booking with KimKim -- just do it! I trusted their judgment completely, and they delivered in every way.

Can’t wait to book my next trip with them!

Hotel Reviews

M Social

Auckland

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Millennium Hotel & Resort Manuels Taupo

Taupo

Authenticity & Character

Location

The views were amazing, the staff was super friendly and don't get me started on their breakfast. One of the best I've ever had at any hotel so far.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Regent of Rotorua

Rotorua

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

QT Wellington

Wellington

Authenticity & Character

Loved the creative, museum-like flair of the hotel.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Glowworm Paddle Board Tour

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

A once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lake Taupō Cruise to the Māori Rock Carvings

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

A dream come true for any movie buff!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Zipline Canopy Tour

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our recent trip to New Zealand, planned by Michelle from KimKim, was an incredible journey filled with stunning landscapes, unique experiences, and some memorable accommodations. While most of the trip met and/or exceeded our expectations, there were a few areas for improvement. Here's a detailed review:

Christchurch – The Mayfair Hotel
The Mayfair Hotel was a perfect start to our adventure. The modern and stylish rooms were a delight, and the on-site restaurant stood out with its creative breakfast menu and delicious smoothies. Its central location made it easy to explore Christchurch, and we truly appreciated the thoughtfulness behind this choice of accommodation.

Matai Peak
Staying at Matai Peak was an absolute highlight. Perched on a remote summit, this quirky and rugged accommodation offered spectacular views of the mountains and the sea. The outdoor bathroom with its breathtaking views was unlike anything we’ve experienced before. Our host was wonderful, providing thoughtful provisions that made our stay comfortable and enjoyable. Matai Peak was truly a one-of-a-kind experience.

Marlborough Sounds
The Marlborough Sounds were stunning, and hiking through the area was an adventure we’ll never forget. That said, the hike we undertook was much longer than we expected, and we felt rushed to reach the pickup point on time. We would have appreciated more detailed information about the hike’s length and difficulty. In hindsight, an overnight stay along the track would have allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the beauty of the Sounds and return to Picton more comfortably.

Wellington
We absolutely loved Wellington and wished we had spent more time there! The vibrant city offered a wonderful mix of culture, food, and scenic views. In retrospect, we would have preferred to allocate more time here, or enjoy an overnight on Lake Taupo instead of spending two nights in Rotorua, which, while interesting, didn’t leave as strong an impression on us.

Rotorua and Hobbiton
Rotorua was enjoyable, but the highlight in this region was undoubtedly Hobbiton. The tour through the movie set was magical and a must-visit for any fan of The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit. It’s beautifully maintained, and the experience truly brought the fantasy world to life - and we had not even seen the movies (but will do so now).

Castaways Resort
Unfortunately, the last accommodation of our trip at Castaways Resort was disappointing. While the property was very clean and overlooked a beach and the ocean, neither was truly accessible. Additionally, there was little to do in the area, making it an underwhelming end to an otherwise spectacular trip. We wouldn’t recommend ending a trip here. Staying in downtown Auckland would have been a far better choice, offering more activities, dining, and a livelier atmosphere to wrap up the adventure on a high note.

Final Thoughts
Overall, this trip was an extraordinary experience, with many standout moments like Matai Peak, Marlborough Sounds, and Wellington. While there were some missteps in the itinerary, such as the super long drive from Wellington to Rotorua and the accommodation at Castaways Resort or the rushed hike in the Marlborough Sounds, the majority of the trip was well-planned and thoughtfully tailored to our preferences.