About our editors
An unsponsored editorial publication assessing resort hotels to a fixed standard.
What this publication is
This publication assesses resort hotels across New Zealand's resort cities and publishes the results. Ochantera is editorial rather than commercial — no room is sold here, no commission is earned, and no position in the ranking is for sale.
Our editors visit properties, work through a fixed six-part rubric, and publish both the number and the caveat. Where a property disappoints on a criterion, the review says so plainly and the score reflects it.
The rubric
We grade on six weighted factors. The weighting is published here in full so readers can see exactly how a headline number was assembled.
- 25% — The casino floor and its lounges
- 20% — Rooms and suites
- 20% — Front-of-house service
- 15% — Dining and bars
- 10% — Position and transit
- 10% — Value for money
How we stay independent
We keep independence by structure, not by promise. Listings are unpaid, reviews are not shown to properties in advance, and criticisms are not removable at request.
Outbound links to hotel sites or reservation platforms exist for convenience only. The resulting booking is a contract between you and the property; we are not a party to it and earn nothing from it.
Corrections and updates
Corrections are welcome. Write with the property name and the exact detail — verified reports are applied to the page and the revision date updated.