Omana Luxury Villa on Waiheke Island is one of the best places for couples to stay, according to travel insiders. Photo / Supplied
The City of Sails has thousands of hotels, and choosing the wrong one can ruin a trip. So which ones are the very best for your needs and worth the money? Varsha Anjali asks the experts.
When travelling with your significant other, you’re not just paying for a place to sleep. You’re paying for a place to reconnect, let go or canoodle – without spelling it out.
For Karen Thompson-Smith, head of tourism at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, Omana Luxury Villa, priced at a minimum of $1320 per night for couples, is really hard to beat.
“It’s quiet, private, and has that classic Waiheke feel where everything just slows down. With only four villas, it feels like your own little luxury spot, with great views and plenty of privacy,” says Thompson-Smith. Its villas sit on an airy 3.08-hectare spread, with dazzling views of Woodside Bay.
“It’s perfect if you want to switch off properly while still being an easy trip from Auckland.”
For a romantic getaway that’s easier on the pocket, New Zealand food and travel writer Anna King Shahab is fond of The Convent Hotel in Grey Lynn, where you can get a room with a balcony, pour champagne and watch the sun setting over the Waitākere ranges.
“But don’t get too cozy,” warns Shahab. “You’ll want to head downstairs first for a martini at the bar, then dinner at Ada.”
Conversely, Australian travel writer Rob McFarland’s favourite couple spot sits in the middle of the hustle and bustle.
“Eco-conscious couples will love The Hotel Britomart, which became New Zealand’s first 5-Green Star hotel when it opened in 2020,” he says.
“Located in the heart of Britomart, it’s perfectly positioned for couples keen to sample the neighbourhood’s high-end restaurants and designer stores.”
More than anything, a good hotel for families provides relief. According to Thompson-Smith, SkyCity Hotel, a 4-star accommodation offering in the CBD, does just that because “everything is right on your doorstep”.
“You’ve got the Sky Tower next door, and kid-friendly experiences like Wētā Workshop Unleashed and the All Blacks Experience within the precinct, which makes planning days out really easy,” she says.
“The rooms are spacious and there are loads of dining options close by so you’re not constantly jumping in the car. It’s a stress-free base for seeing the city with kids.”
Sitting roughly a 5-10 minute walk away is the Sudima Hotel, which Lonely Planet’s destination editor for Oceania, Jessica Lockhart, says “may lack kid-friendly amenities like a swimming pool, but its location is unbeatable”.
“Kids 12 and under are free, with a complimentary breakfast included for kids 5 and under and 50% for those aged 6 to 12,” says Lockhart. “It also offers babysitting services on request; perfect for if you want to have a cheeky cocktail on the rooftop bar.”
A short walk uphill there is a greater luxury feel, for those who want it.
“For families happy to splash a bit of cash, the 5-star Cordis has a fabulous rooftop pool and a great range of kids’ amenities, including a free, activity-filled backpack and a kids’ high tea,” says McFarland.
“Luxury can mean different things at different times,” says Shahab.
“If I want to be immersed in the buzz of the city and surrounded by design that oozes good taste in a pared-back, organic way, then Hotel Britomart is a winner. You can step out of your room and straight into Kingi, Ghost Street or Cafe Hanoi, and there are always cool things happening in Britomart.
Thompson-Smith seconds this. “It really feels like Auckland, you’re right in the middle of the Britomart precinct with great food, bars, shopping and the waterfront all around you,” she says.
“The hotel feels premium but relaxed, the design is very local, and the service is friendly without being formal. It’s an easy choice if you want luxury that actually reflects the city you’re visiting.”
When you want everything in one place, Park Hyatt is Shahab’s go-to.
“Take high tea in The Living Room, fit in a spa treatment and a loll in the outdoor infinity pool looking out to Rangitoto,” she says. “Gaze out at the yachts over a rum cocktail at Captain’s Bar then relax into dinner at Onemata.”
It’s also a favourite for McFarland, but for another reason.
“This imposing, seven-storey waterfront property has all the 5-star trappings you’d expect from a Park Hyatt, but what really sets it apart are the mesmerising harbour and city skyline views,” he says.
For Canadian journalist Vivian Vassos, one hotel stands out when it comes to luxury.
“You can’t beat the Langham Group for top-notch luxury and service and the Cordis is no exception,” she says.
“A must when in Auckland is the hotel’s outstanding Afternoon Tea. Add a glass of bubbles and you’re feeling like a masterpiece among the hotel’s stellar collection of artworks. It’s an art gallery in a hotel, all in one.”
According to Angie Forsyth, general manager of Corporate Traveller NZ, the number of hotel stars or the brand don’t always indicate the right choice for business travellers – it can depend on several factors.
“One of the top factors is location – most business guests prefer to stay close to where they’re working, and in Auckland that usually means in the central city, Viaduct, Wynyard Quarter or Britomart," says Forsyth. “Being able to walk to meetings is helpful, particularly when time is tight.”
When thinking about value for money, Forsyth points out that a cheaper room further out of the city doesn’t always mean savings, once taxis and rideshares are factored in.
“Staying centrally can often work out to be more cost-effective overall, while also looking after traveller wellbeing and productivity.”
The centrally-located Sudima Hotel is again a favourite pick, with Thompson-Smith arguing it’s a smart choice for business travellers.
“It’s right by the newly opened New Zealand International Convention Centre,” Thompson-Smith explains, “which makes workdays easy, but it’s also close to bars, restaurants, and the buzz of the city when the day’s done.”
Sudima’s rooms are well set up for work without feeling clinical, Thompson-Smith says, “so you can actually relax once you shut the laptop”.
When Lockhart visits Auckland for work, she stays at a more atypical spot: the Convent Hotel.
“I’ll be the first to admit that it’s not a conventional choice; most of the rooms don’t even have desks,” says Lockhart. “But I’m out of my room most of the day doing research or having business meetings.
“What I’m looking for is something that’s affordably priced, centrally located, has an on-site restaurant, and – this is the most important – quiet at night so I can get a good night’s sleep. The Convent Hotel ticks all these boxes, to the point that I rarely stay anywhere else.”
“For group travel, Hilton Auckland is a great option,” says Thompson-Smith. “Its waterfront location puts groups right in the heart of the city, close to our major attractions and transport.”
The global hospitality company is experienced with large groups, which makes arrivals, departures and logistics run smoothly, giving visitors “a great sense of Auckland from the moment they arrive”, Thompson-Smith adds.
Another Grey Lynn accommodation earns the favourite pick for Lockhart, who says Hotel Fitzroy by Fable is a great choice for groups of couples or friends travelling together.
“There are only 10 rooms in this historic Ponsonby villa, making for an intimate getaway,” says Lockhart. “Groups can gather to share stories about their days in the library, where complimentary happy-hour drinks are served every evening – before heading out together for dinner in Ponsonby.”
Varsha Anjali is a journalist in the lifestyle team in Auckland. Based in Auckland, she covers travel, entertainment and more.