Staying at the Dunedin Distinction Hotel

Distinction Hotel in Dunedin.

Daniel Simmonds checks into a hotel that's great for business travellers

Getting there:

A brisk 30-minute drive from the Airport to the City Centre on Liverpool St, and just a five-minute stroll from Dunedin's famous Speight's Brewery.

History:

Locals know the new Distinction Hotel as "the old Post Office". Referring to the building's inception in 1937 as the Chief Post Office — later it became the headquarters of Silver Fern Farms. The Distinction opened in 2015.

How big?

There are 121 rooms, with space for up to 260 guests.

Check-in experience:

I arrived a few hours early, so the kind staff offered to store my bags while I explored the city. After visiting various breweries, restaurants and chocolate factories, I came back to a ready room with my bags placed on the bed.

Room:

I was in a Studio Room — a regular for couples and business travellers — which had a washer and dryer, a beautiful marble bathroom and blackout curtains, ideal for a cheeky sleep-in after visiting those breweries.

Room with a view?

Directly into the office workspace of a local business.

What's in the neighbourhood?

Only a hop and a skip from the Speight's Brewery and Dunedin Casino. A 10-minute stroll to the Settlers Museum and Cadbury Chocolate Factory.

Price:

Studio rooms are the cheapest option, varying from $250-$300 a night.

Food and drink:

Parcels Restaurant operates on the ground floor, fixing up a beautiful breakfast, lunch and dinner. Room service runs 24/7. I took advantage of the breakfast buffet.

Wi-Fi:

Unlimited and complimentary.

Noise:

Despite the hotel being fairly central, the walls do a great job of silencing the outside world.

Perfect for:

Distinction is a regular for business travellers.

CHECKLIST

The Distinction Dunedin Hotel is at 6 Liverpool Street, Dunedin. Phone: (03) 471 8543.

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