Auckland Travel Guide

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Why We Needed To Use the Restroom at Westin Auckland Lighter Quay

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 21 Viaduct Harbour Ave., Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand, 1010
January 12, 2011 at 9:11 AM | by | Comments (0)

All this week, HotelChatter contributor Eric Rosen takes us on a tour of New Zealand’s hotel scene.

So far in our mini hotel tour of Auckland we’ve taken you to the Langham, where we stayed, and over to the Hilton, where we popped in for an impromptu tour one day. Now we’re going to take you to the newest of the city’s upscale chain hotels, the Westin Auckland Lighter Quay.

We had to settle for another quick guerrilla tour of this harborfront property because we weren’t actually staying there, and couldn’t take any photos inside. But we did manage to get a good look around and thought it was worth mentioning here anyway. And if you really need the visual aids, you can check out our Flickr shots of the hotel here.

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Inside The Hilton Auckland, Where The Pool Hangs Off The Roof

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: Princes Wharf 147 Quay St., Auckland, North Island, New Zealand, 1040
January 11, 2011 at 11:05 AM | by | Comments (0)

All this week, HotelChatter contributor Eric Rosen takes us on a tour of New Zealand’s hotel scene.

Though we stayed at the Langham during our three days in Auckland, we took the opportunity to visit a couple of the city’s other premier hotels including the Hilton.

The first thing that struck us as we dropped off a couple friends was the architecture. The hotel is on a renovated wharf, and was designed to look like a cruise ship, though it had more of an oil tanker aesthetic if you asked us. The one cool feature was the pool suspended four stories above the driveway, and you know how we like our dramatic hotel pools.

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Inside The Langham Auckland

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 83 Symonds St., Auckland, North Island, New Zealand, 1140
January 10, 2011 at 11:10 AM | by | Comments (0)

All this week, HotelChatter contributor Eric Rosen takes us on a tour of New Zealand’s hotel scene.

Though it’s the biggest city in New Zealand, Auckland is still a small place, with just about 1.4 million souls, so the hotel scene isn’t quite as big as we’re used to.

Still, we found a few options to talk about based on our recent trip down to city of sails, including the Langham Auckland, where we stayed for three nights, and which we’d venture to say is the city’s most established luxury hotel based on what we saw while we were down there. Check out the photo gallery and room video we made to find out why.

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Yet Another Tale of Hotel Inconsistency

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: Cnr Princes St & Waterloo Quadrant, Auckland, New Zealand
December 2, 2010 at 4:05 PM | by | Comments (0)

All hotels are not created equal, we do know this much to be true, not even ones that are part of the same brand, carry the same amenities and have the same name. Just because you love Hotel XYZ in New York doesn't mean that Hotel XYZ in San Fran or Miami is just as good.

Sadly, this happens far too often and today one reader is apparently fed up with it all. He writes:

I'm a platinum member with Hyatt and now I having the unfortunate misfortune of staying at the Auckland Hyatt "Regency" Hotel. I certainly use the term "Regency" tongue in check, which is bleeding.

From the moment I have had my quarters, I have been disturbed with slamming doors (it's 0100 in the morning, which is why I'm now sharing my misfortune) and talking in hallway which sounds as if the conversation is occurring in my presence. When a door is being knocked on across the hall from me, the sound carries as if MY door is the one in which someone is knocking on.

Using the bathroom has the grand experience of hearing the downward flushes from the floors above.

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Langham Auckland's Got a Swanky New Spa

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 83 Symonds Street, Auckland, New Zealand
May 27, 2009 at 9:17 AM | by | Comments (0)

Getting all Asian on us in New Zealand, the Langham Hotel Auckland has just opened a Chuan Spa with a big emphasis on traditional Chinese medicine ideas. The spa takes up the entire second floor of the hotel and offers thirty different spa treatments.

The facilities include snail showers (aka spiral showers, but snail sounds more interesting), herbal steam rooms and an "ice experience." There's also a heated infinity pool outside.

To celebrate the opening, the Langham Auckland is putting on a Chuan Journey package: one night in a special Chuan Haven suite for two, an hour and a half of spa therapy for each of you, a 15% discount on any further spa stuff, free parking and late checkout, starting from NZ$639 ($500). The catch (well, sorta catch): there are only two of these Haven suites in the whole hotel, and you can only book them when you're combining them with spa treatment.

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HotelChatter Flickr Pool :: Westin Auckland

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 21 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland, New Zealand, 2010
July 13, 2007 at 9:05 AM | by | Comments (0)

Thanks to HotelChatter Flickr Pool member Pat+ we have a set of photos taken from inside the new Westin Auckland, Lighter Quay in New Zealand. This shot is of the Harbor View room. Pat+ writes:

These nicely appointed corner rooms feature great views as well as a widescreen LCD TV, a wet bar, a Bose radio/alarm clock, a gigantic bathroom with a rainfall shower, a seating area and a Heavenly Bed.

Pat+ also dropped in some photos of the W San Francisco so be sure to check those out as well.

Don't forget to upload your photos to the HotelChatter Flickr Pool.

Related Stories:
· Hotels in Auckland [HotelChatter]

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Comfy Bed and Great Service at the Aachen House in Auckland

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 39 Market Rd, Auckland, New Zealand
May 10, 2007 at 2:31 PM | by | Comments (0)

Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, often gets skipped in favor of places with a higher density of bungee-jumping companies, but it's still worth a visit. If we put some trust in TripAdvisor reviewers, the number one hotel in Auckland turns out to be the one that'd also be first on any alphabetical list: Aachen House. Strange coincidence or clever marketing?

Aachen House is billed as a luxury boutique hotel--probably just a few years ago it was simply an expensive B&B, but times have changed. It has just eight rooms and is located about ten minutes out of the city center. The staff have a good reputation, and with this example it's understandable:

Having returned from a day out exploring the city, we sat in the garden and [Joan, the owner] brought complimentary drinks of our choice - this would not happen elsewhere without it appearing on your bill at the end of your stay!

Another common compliment is that the beds are large and comfortable. That's important given that most people visiting New Zealand have come from somewhere far away and need a good rest. Their website suggests that they sometimes get some VIP guests, so look out for anyone famous. One double room (with king-size bed) starts at NZ$290 (US$220), plus taxes, and the room rates include pre-dinner drinks (but not dinner) and a "gourmet" breakfast.

Related Stories:
· Aachen House Auckland reviews [TripAdvisor]
· JFK to Auckland: Sub-$1000 [Jaunted]

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