Staying at Rydges Wellington

Rydges Hotel Wellington.

Eli Orzessek checks in to Rydges Wellington.

Getting there: I arrived in town on the train from Masterton and was pleased to discover Rydges was only about a five-minute walk away, as I was a bit ragged from too many beersies in the Wairarapa the night before.

Check-in experience: I was quite early, but staff were very friendly and happy to hold my bags while I went in search of much-needed breakfast. The lobby was bustling with lots of visitors coming and going. I didn't have to wait too long to be seen though.

Room: A deluxe king suite with a kitchen and lounge, which gave me a huge amount of space to stretch out in after I returned from breakfast, lunch and a walk around the Botanic Gardens.

What's so good about this place? Its central location and awesome views of the harbour.

What's in the neighbourhood? The train station and the Beehive are both very close.

Lambton Quay and Cuba St are also a short walk away, so there are plenty of places to eat and drink.

Toiletries: The usual shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion.

Food and drink: The hotel has a restaurant, The Portlander Bar and Grill, but I didn't eat there during my stay.

The bed: A king-size bed with lots of pillows. I had a great nap as soon as I checked in.

A room with a view? My room had a balcony with a spectacular view of the harbour — and luckily enough, it was "you can't beat Wellington on a good day" kind of weather for my trip.

Bathroom: Spacious, with a bathtub and separate shower.

Free Wi-Fi? Yes and I had no problems with it.

Noise: None that I noticed.

Price: Prices start at around $289 for the room on Booking.com.

Exercise facilities: There's an indoor pool, a spa tub, a sauna, and a fitness centre — but I wasn't in town to work out.

Perfect for: Couples, business-people, those settling in for an extended stay in our nation's capital.