The largest city in New Zealand on the country’s North Island, Auckland offers some great places to stay, from modern hotels overlooking Britomart waterfront, to boutique art deco establishments on buzzing Queen Street to a family-run former 19th-century villa in fashionable Ponsonby. Auckland is a giant and varied urban area — a 20-minute drive from the city centre and you can stay at an eco-retreat near beautiful Riverhead Forest. Here’s our guide to where to go in Auckland when it comes to hotels…
Hotel DeBrett
Boutique Hotel, Hotel
On the corner of High Street and Shortland Street in the centre of Auckland, Hotel DeBrett occupies a building that dates back to 1925. The original structure on this site was the home to the Commercial Hotel, erected in 1841 and one of the first hotels in the city, but it was rebuilt after sustaining damage caused by two fires. Hotel DeBrett has 25 rooms and suites which are relaxed and toned down in their decor, apart from the multi-coloured striped carpets which are the dominant feature. Light-filled DeBrett’s Kitchen sits in a glass atrium — try the braised Moroccan spiced lamb shoulder with anchovy boulangère, black olive crumbs, spring vegetables and mint oil.
Stamford Plaza Auckland
Hotel
In uptown Auckland, not far from Queens Wharf and the Britomart entertainment precinct, Stamford Plaza Auckland offers complimentary valet parking, an indoor pool, sauna and spa with views over the city and a variety of restaurants including Japanese, Thai and Auckland High Tea, serving tiered plates of sandwiches, savouries and scones.
Hilton Auckland
Hotel
Hilton Auckland is on the northern edge of the city, right on Auckland’s harbour. The 150 guest rooms at this Auckland hotel have some of the best views of the harbour in the city, which can also be enjoyed from the hotel’s seafood restaurant or the Bellini Bar, offering excellent cocktails and fine wines. The hotel is only a short walk away from the centre of Auckland.
SkyCity Grand Hotel
Hotel
The SkyCity entertainment precinct is one of the premier locations in Auckland for live music and theatre, as well as having some of the best restaurants and bars. SkyCity Grand Hotel is in the centre of Auckland’s CBD and offers, as a part of the SkyCity complex, a five-star experience with luxury rooms and suites that feature modern decor as well as 24-hour room service.
The Langham Auckland
Hotel
The Langham Auckland was established in 1865 and retains a sophisticated British style. In the centre of the city a short walk from pretty Auckland Domain park, the oldest and largest green space in the city, the hotel has great skyline views. This luxury hotel in Auckland is also the home of the well-known Eight Restaurant, which offers refined contemporary cuisine from around the world.
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Matt is a Linguistics graduate who was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. A passion for travel and foreign cultures was developed from a young age thanks to his well-travelled, multi-lingual parents who encouraged him to study foreign languages and find a way to live abroad. After graduating from La Trobe University in 2013, Matt moved to southern France to become an English teacher, from where he plans on exploring the European continent and all the fascinating history and culture that it has to offer.