The road sign pointed straight ahead: Auckland Airport, 3km. We were taking a weekend break, but we weren't flying anywhere. A quick left-hand turn and we found an oasis amid international flights and motorways.
An airport hotel evokes thoughts of a bland, faceless structure existing simply as a convenience at the beginning and end of a holiday, or for business travellers who need just an internet connection and a roof over their heads.
However, the Jet Park Hotel is more like coming home: it's where you can sit back and relax in an environment you are totally comfortable with.
Of course, we had no intention of sitting in a hotel for two days - although the thought of just wining and dining the weekend away in their top-class restaurant had its allure.
But there's more to this area than the airport. We set out to find five things to do on a weekend stay. We found a lot more. No matter what your interests or age, there's something fabulous for you.
SHOPPING
First stop for the girls was, of course, Dress-Smart in Onehunga. It's an easy 15-minute drive from the hotel and is New Zealand's largest outlet shopping centre.
It can be tricky to find a park but have a look out the back; there's a couple of areas not under cover where you're more likely to find a space.
There's something for everyone at Dress-Smart and plenty of eateries scattered throughout the complex when you need to rest your feet and have a cuppa before the next round of shopping.
Another shopping centre close to the airport has a cafe, doctors and hairdressers.
WINE
Visit the Villa Maria Estate Winery. The hotel will organise to drop you off and pick you up - probably a good idea if you take the winery tour, enjoy lunch and taste some of their product.
The vineyard cafe is open from 11am to 6pm on weekdays and 11am to 4.30pm on weekends. Winery tours run from 11am to 3pm. If you time your stay right there may be a concert to enjoy, too.
WALKS
Two walks close by that are well worth visiting. Mangere Mountain is an important geological site and visually dominates the local landscape.
Original occupants were a hapu of Wai-o-Hua, the tribe claiming ownership of the area. The surrounding fertile volcanic soils were perfect for extensive gardening and the adjacent Manukau Harbour a prolific source of seafood.
Such resources were jealously and vigorously defended and evidence of fortifications can clearly be seen today. A pa was established taking full advantage of uninhibited views of the area.
Just 10 minutes away, an education centre has been established by Te Wai-o-Hua, in association with local and regional councils. It is managed by the Mangere Mountain Education Trust.
If you have an interest in history or archaeology, a visit to Otuataua Stonefields is a must. Territorial rights of the Auckland isthmus have been hotly disputed by Maori iwi for centuries. Its protected harbours, bountiful seafood, abundance of easily fortified volcanic cones, fertile soil and warm climate combined to attract competing tribes from the north and south.
Volcanic stones thrown from local eruptions were used by Maori to demarcate gardens and warm soil for staple crops of kumara and taro.
Protected from the urban sprawl that has engulfed much of the region, it's easy to let your imagination take hold and drift back in time during a visit to this ancient site.
Both walks can be tackled by families.
FAMILY FUN
Now it's time for the kids and what better place than Butterfly Creek.
Close to the airport and home to live butterflies from around the globe, farm animals can also be found at nearby Buttermilk Farm. Butterfly Creek is fabulously interactive with kids able to pet the animals along with many a photo opportunity of littlies with butterflies on their noses ... a little like Ruud "Bugman" Kleinpaste. There are also miniature train rides.
For the bigger kids, there's Rainbow's End with bumper boats, dodgems, and of course roller-coaster rides with stomach-turning thrills for those who like that kind of thing.
As for me - take me back to the vineyard!
Where to stay
Jet Park Hotel is a family-owned and run business, and as a guest that's just how you feel - part of the family.
On arrival, we passed a couple of the cleaning staff, they gave us a wave and a shout of hi. At the reception desk we received the same warm welcome, it was like a home away from home.
The Herrmann family are hands-on when it comes to the running of the hotel. Sebastian is the general manager, his sister Sonja is human resources manager and in-house artist, and brother Ashley has played a leading role in the elegant refurbishment of the hotel. Mum Liz is director of the business.
But the Herrmann family doesn't stop there. Sebastian includes the staff as his extended family, and you can see the respect and joy the staff have working here. In the south wing, framed tapa cloths adorn the walls - these were donated by the staff.
You won't find any generic prints on this hotel's walls, with original works from New Zealand artists Rex Homan, Peter Barker and Sonja Herrmann. Don't miss the specially commissioned Rex Homan Fish Wall in the reception.
The rooms
There are rooms to suit every taste and budget - from the compact and comfortable overnighters to deluxe rooms and suites. The design is simple yet elegant. We stayed in an apartment, with a kitchen and bathroom I'd love to have at home. A series of lounges and passageways leads to more than 100 rooms.
The food and drink
Jet Park boasts an award-winning restaurant and bar where you can enjoy delicious cuisine prepared by executive chef Nancye Pirini (ex Dine, by Peter Gordon). You can choose from a great selection of NZ wines, and the best local produce. Four of us dined together. We pored over the menu and all got something different. Every single dish was just top quality - I think I'd visit Jet park just to eat.
The extras
Jet Park offers all the best little extras, such as free 14-day car storage; free round-the-clock airport shuttles; a dedicated flight information TV screen in the lobby; a tepid pool set into a lush tropical garden, complete with poolside menu; purpose-planted gardens featuring native New Zealand flora; dedicated conference facilities with the latest Wi-Fi technology; and free transfers to a complimentary gym and fitness club. But what really took my fancy was the pillow menu. In each room there is a little card with options for different pillows, including lavender. Now that's
what you call being spoilt.
The special care
Jet Park is a hotel committed to caring, not just for its guests but for its environment, staff and community. It is regularly involved with the SPCA (situated just over the road), has Qualmark Enviro-Silver certification, and the hotel's staff feels like an extended family. Even its branded water bottles are made of "natural plastic" created from plants, not oil.
The access
It's easy to find and with plenty of parking there's no worry about the car. There is disabled access to ground floor rooms and all restaurants, facilities and pools. Children are welcome.
The bill
Room rates vary from the overnighter at $125 to the deluxe apartment at $220. Watch out for special deals and packages on the Jet Park Hotel website, www.jetpark.co.nz
Meals in the hotel restaurant are on a par with average city restaurant prices.
Step out of the plane and spread your exploratory wings
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