Auckland, known as “The City of Sails” due to its waterfront location and maritime heritage, offers beautiful views of the sea and a plethora of water sports. Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand (and, despite common misconceptions, not the capital), is home to about 35% of the nation’s population.
This is also the location of New Zealand’s main airport, so if you intend to travel throughout the country, you’ll most likely begin your journey here. Apart from the numerous water-based attractions, the city offers remarkable culinary experiences, thought-provoking museums, lively neighborhoods with lush green spaces, trendy coffee shops, and hospitable residents.
Here is my selection of Auckland’s top hotels to assist you in making travel plans:
1. The Albion
Located in Central, the center of everything in Auckland, the Albion is a charming and cozy area that dates back to 1873. Originally, this hotel was a “pub hotel,” where guests may indulge in alcohol downstairs before retiring to rooms that were adjacent. The hotel still has a pleasant tavern with a pool table and a functional fireplace. In the evenings, the restaurant serves delicious pub fare, even though it is closed for breakfast. The accommodations are modest in size but functional given their strategic position. Every room has a TV, tea and coffee making facilities, excellent shower pressure, and incredibly comfy beds and pillows. For the area, the value is outstanding.
2. Carnmore Takapuna
Despite being renowned for its beaches, this North Shore neighborhood of Auckland is only 20 minutes from the city center (via public transit). The hotel offers free parking, a sauna, an outdoor pool, and a gym in addition to its simple, beachy design. Thanks to the striking floor to ceiling windows, rooms are roomy and bright with natural light. Even the bathrooms in regular rooms are enormous, but some apartments even feature balconies and jacuzzi baths. Each room is equipped with a desk, refrigerator, electric tea kettle, TV, and complimentary Wi-Fi. The hotel does not provide breakfast, but there are several charming cafes on the main street, which is only a short distance away. The beach is only a five-minute walk away, which is an added plus.
3. Ascotia Off Queen
This neighborhood, which is on Karangahape Road, sometimes referred to as K-Road, is a decent choice if you’re looking for a less touristy region that’s still somewhat close to downtown. This property features a modest design with soothing earth tones. The spacious rooms provide a plenty of natural light, a fridge, a tea/coffee maker, and a flat-screen TV. Families or groups of friends can also rent two-bedroom apartments. You can choose to upgrade to a hot breakfast buffet or just enjoy the standard continental meal. For the location, I believe it offers great value overall.
4. Park Hyatt Auckland
Situated in Britomart, named after the first British ship to pass through the harbor, this elegant five-star hotel is among the most opulent establishments in the whole city. There are multiple pools (including a stunning heated outdoor infinity pool), a sauna, a steam room, a hot tub, and a 24-hour fitness facility located here. There are also other eateries on the premises, one of which has a great breakfast. With floor to ceiling windows providing views of the port and some even featuring balconies, Park Hyatt’s guest rooms are roomy. Each room features a marble bathroom, a desk, a large flat-screen TV, luxurious robes, and Le Labo bath amenities. Stay here if you want to be near the water (and you have the luxury travel budget).
5. The Grand by SkyCity
This five-star hotel has 14 restaurants and bars, a cutting-edge gym, and a spa area with two swimming pools! (There are breakfast buffets at two of the restaurants.) This place features well furnished rooms with wooden accents that give a pleasant, natural feel. Each room has a large bathroom with a contemporary style and a rainfall shower with great pressure. Cozy bathrobes, smart TVs, workstations, and Nespresso machines are among the in-room amenities. The vista from the floor to ceiling windows—if you can snag a room with a view of the harbor—may be my favorite feature of the apartment.
6. Cordis
One of the most opulent hotels on K-Road, Cordis is a sleekly designed property with a magnificent heated rooftop pool, spa area with a sauna and steam room, and a fitness center. All rooms feature tea/coffee makers, desks, large flat screen TVs, and a pillow menu; even the standard rooms are spacious, with some offering lovely views of the Auckland skyline (including the iconic Sky Tower). The marble bathrooms are roomy, with plush bathrobes and luxury products. There are multiple on-site restaurants, one of which has a great breakfast buffet in the morning.
The majority of tourists begin their journeys in New Zealand in Auckland. Since the journey to get here is typically somewhat lengthy, finding a fantastic place to stay as soon as you arrive is essential. Selecting any of the aforementioned hotels will ensure that you have a comfortable and delightful stay in the biggest city in New Zealand.
