Hip Apartments in Auckland You'll Want to Call Home

This south-east Auckland high-rise blends the independence of an apartment with the serviced advantages of a hotel. A grand piano and ornamental lamp shade in the reception area hint at the elegant interiors of the apartments, which range from one- to two-bedroom executive suites. Plus, all are cleaned daily. A breakfast pack can be delivered every morning, while valet dry cleaning and limousine transfer services are also available.

The Auckland Waterfront Serviced Apartments are a “place to stop and breathe”, emphasised by their minimum three-nights’ stay. Found on the edge of the Waitemata harbour, each apartment promises views over the Harbour Bridge. There’s a slew of waterfront eateries and bars close by, while those looking to cook at home can stock up at the Metro supermarket, just five minutes away.

Visitors keen to indulge in Auckland’s retail offerings are well-positioned at these suites, a breezy five-minute stroll from the Westfield Mall. There are dozens more shops and boutiques spread along both sides of the State Highway, below which you’ll find this four-storey glass-panelled complex. It’s a relatively easy find if you are driving into Auckland from the south of the country.

The paisley pillows are snazzy, the wall art is cool and the open plan kitchenette and dining room are just as contemporary and stylish. But the real winner at this waterfront apartment block is the Yard Bar, found on the ground floor. Chic café by day and lively bar by night, South Island lamb shoulder and Mount Ruapehu sirloin are the best picks from their dinner menu, with in-room delivery also available.

History buffs gravitate towards Auckland’s Parnell district for educational trips to the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Robert Burns statue and Ewelme heritage cottage. These historical sites are all within walking distance of the 38 serviced apartments at Quest Parnell, which also come with a heated saltwater lap pool and gym. A nifty tie-in with nearby restaurants also allows Quest residents to have their meals charged to their hotel bill.

The shock of on-brand red shouldn’t make the façade of this Ramada complex difficult to spot, just behind the Aotea Centre. With the town hall and civic theatre just metres away and the Sky Tower a three-minute walk, Auckland’s headline acts are within easy reach. The balcony that comes with the sixth floor penthouse studio offers one of the best night scapes in all of Auckland.

Five minutes from the Harbour Bridge, you’ll find this 36-unit motel in the northern shore district of Birkenhead. Its raised location grants a splendid view of the Auckland skyline, framed by floor-to-ceiling sliding windows. It makes a great base from which to explore the beaches and bays north of Auckland, plus there are over 70 dining options within a ten-minute walk. Ask the staff and they’ll likely recommend high tea at Moxie’s on Hinemoa Street.

The single rooms here make savvy use of 22 square-metre space, counting a queen bed, en-suite bathroom and kitchenette among the facilities. At the other end of the scale are the two-bedroom suites, which (at more than twice the size) can accommodate up to five people. The full buffet breakfast available at the ground floor Latitude 36 restaurant is likely to fill you up well past lunch.

Towering above every other residential building in New Zealand, the 39-storey Metropolis attracted the attention of daredevil “spiderman” climber Alain Robert in 2013. Guests needn’t worry about following his lead; there’s an obliging elevator operating from the lobby in this former courthouse. Stays here are as sophisticated as they are storied, with open-plan apartments, marble bathrooms and a well-sized heated pool.

This family-orientated complex between the waterfront and Albert Park offers a host of services to benefit parents with little ones in tow. Not only do two kids under 12 stay for free, but cots, high chairs and baby baths can be provided at no additional cost. A washer-dryer and clothes drying rack are also likely to come in handy if staying for a few days, as too, will the free Disney Channel subscription.