A number of very high quality "super-lodges" have historically occupied the high ground in terms of obvious places to stay booked by people with a limited depth of understanding as to what is available in New Zealand. The arrival of the internet has to a certain extent loosened this hold, allowing vibrant new lodges, often owner-operated, to develop new directions. Some of these offer quality comparable to or not far short of the "super-lodges" but at a much reduced price.
A common complaint - usually from well-travelled Americans - is that when experiencing the "super-lodge" circuit, they encounter the same people and the same cooking wherever they go. Communal dining, although on the wane, also attracts some criticism as counter-exclusive. Put simply, some people do not want to see the same bores at tables all around the country.
Another complaint from some clients is the excessive formality of the staff at some "super-lodges". Counterbalance that with the relaxation and confidence of the right owner-operated "micro-lodge".
So we have a question to pose - which sort of lodge is the more exclusive?
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