I have Gold. I get some nice upgrades, most recently in the Novotel Queenstown – to the finest room in the hotel, no less! A massive suite apartment with lake views, a kitchen and big marble bathroom, living room, huge bed, 2 TVs etc etc.
Ibis in Wellington is a great budget (in so far as hotel prices in Wellington these days are ever ‘budget’!) option and the Novotel is nice (and offers free parking if you have a hybrid car). Stayed in the Grand Mercure in Wellington about 8 months ago and that was very shabby, very hard to get to, had no parking and was one of the few times I felt I needed to actually comment to Customer Service that the place was a mess.
I’ve stayed in Accor in NZ, Australia, France, UK, USA, Singapore, Laos, Vietnam, India and Indonesia and usually find them very good. Where they have Club Floors, I always book them as my bete noir in hotels is children and they are usually mercifully absent from Club floors due to the extra cost!