The big plus for this guide is that, because Qualmark is the official mark for tourism quality here, you know the businesses listed have survived an annual check on their standards.
The downside is that if there isn't any Qualmark-approved accommodation in the area you're going to visit ... you'reout in the cold.
I discovered this when I gave the guide a test run for a trip I was making to walk the Waikato River Trails. Whakamaru? Nothing. Mangakino? Atiamuri? Arapuni? Nothing. What about Cambridge? Yes. Six lodges and a motor camp. Three of them five-star which means, "Exceptional. Among the best in New Zealand." Saved.
Qualmark also covers tourist services and so the guide includes them as well. In the case of the area I was looking at that meant the Cambridge Country Store. But if I'd looked as far afield as Hamilton I'd also have found an approved car rental firm, a caterer and a tour company.
This book is obviously a useful way to identify good quality accommodation - especially as its free - but if you're heading anywhere out-of-the-way you're probably going to need a more universal guide.
Actually I didn't stay in Cambridge. I wanted to be closer to the trail so I spent the night in the Mangakino Hotel. I can see why it wouldn't meet the Qualmark requirements but it was fun and I had a great night's sleep.
* AA Guides are available free from AA Travel Centres and the i-SITE visitor information network.
