When you go on hols with children it’s easy to keep things in check during the day—fun parks, museums, sport, snow fun…anything involving sugar. But what about back at the hotel? Mums and dads need hotels that offer value for money accommodation, nearby or onsite entertainment and access meals for fussy little eaters— not to mention an understanding that kids will be kids (aka no snooty concierge). So here are five family friendly hotels in New Zealand that want to make sure everyone arrives home happy and sane.

1. Novotel Hamilton Tainui, Hamilton
The Novotel Hamilton Tainui is one hotel that really gets into the family holiday spirit. Kids under 16 can stay and eat breakfast for free when you book a family room. Their children’s safe play area is a great place to let the little ones off the leash to roam free, plus they offer a balanced children’s menu to help keep moods in check and avoid sugar induced excitement and tears.  You also get your own special welcome and personalised gift.

The region around Hamilton has plenty to keep everyone mesmerised - from exploring the mysterious Waitomo caves with their enchanting glowworms, to winter skiing on nearby slopes, and the sweet-as-it-sounds Candyland factory and museum.

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2. Edgewater Resort Hotel, Queenstown
For a family ski holiday igloo, you’d be hard pressed to find better than the Edgewater Resort Hotel and it’s stunning views of Lake Wanaka, near Queenstown. After a day on the slopes you can snuggle up in front of the fireplace where the Facebook addicts can brag to their friends via wi-fi, and you can cook up a snowstorm using the kitchen in your 1 or 2 bedroom apartment. Of course, Queenstown is beautiful in any season and the hotel offers tennis courts and mountain bikes to explore the town.

While you’re in town, take a scenic flight over some of the Lord of The Rings’ stunning locations, then have an eccentric experience at the amazing Puzzling World. Show the kids about what toys were like before plastic at the National Transport and Toy Museum and if you get some time to yourselves take a tour of boutique brewery, the Wanaka Beerworks.

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3. Spencer on Byron Hotel, Auckland
Just 10 minutes from the Auckland CBD you can soak up the views and sea breeze of Takaupuna Beach at the Spencer on Byron Hotel. There’s so much to do in and around NZ’s biggest city that you can work up a serious appetite - so it’s kind of handy that there are free dinner and lunches for any kids under 12 dining with you! In warmer months the children can have a go at tennis, and swim at the beach just 200m across the road. While it’s cool, you can splash around in the heated outdoor pool, bubble away in the family sized spa, rug up for a round of petanque and all pick out some books from the library.

Auckland is the place to combine city fun with natural wonders. The little leprechauns will love the Rainbow’s End theme park rides such as the Fearfall, Pirate Ship and Bumper Boats. You could then take a tour of world renowned Auckland Zoo before metaphorically diving into the ocean at Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World complete with glass tunnels to get face to face with sharks, sting rays and fish.

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4. Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay, Wellington
A ‘kids n all family package’ at the Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay, in Wellington, means you can set the older kids up with a DVD and some nosh from the children’s menu, or use the babysitting service while you enjoy some adult conversation over an award-winning chef dinner from the hotel’s 7^th floor One80° Restaurant. During school holidays they often have special ‘Kids dine free’ and ’2 for 1′ meal deals.

Outside your comfy abode, you can explore the beauty of Wellington on high without piggybacking up steps and ‘I’m-tired’ whining by taking the nifty Wellington cable car up through the city waterfront to the peak. Then walk back down to eco-attraction ZEALANDIA valley for a night tour to track down the cute Kiwi bird. Pint-sized Peter Jacksons will get a kick out of the Weta Cave, where you and the kids can learn about computer generation in films, such as the upcoming Hobbit movies and get up close to props and displays from Weta’s past films.

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5.  Comfort Inn Alcala Dunedin
At the Comfort Inn Alcala Dunedin you don’t have to cart around half of Toys R Us—just use their baby baths, cots, high chairs and more. The older kids can sit back on the comfy beds and watch the kids channels on TV or play with the inn’s games and toys while you whip up  a meal using ingredients from the nearby grocery store. But if you came on holidays to get away from cooking, they offer a variety of delicious breakfasts on site and are just a stroll away from town and restaurants.

At the Otago Museum there are always fantastic exhibitions going on, plus the Discovery World science section has a butterfly garden you wander through and fun activities such as inflating a hot air balloon and playing a tune on a giant foot piano. Of course you”ll never be forgiven if you don’t take the Freddo fans to the Cadbury chocolate factory for some tastings and a tour - then burn off the sugar hit around the regal 19^th century Larnach Castle with its 12 themed rooms sure to inspire some awestruck silences.

See more great Dunedin hotels.

Photo by: Steven Goodenough