Auckland accommodation recommendations

[Jude Starr]

So, as the title says, we are off to Auckland for 5 days at the end of January, and I have a couple of questions. The first is accommodation...any recommendations? We are a bit fussy; love a bit of luxury (preferably without paying too high a price for it of course ). I have had a look on the internet and there are plenty of places that look nice, but I was wondering if there are any personal experiences (good or bad) that may help us make up our minds, and any tips for what to watch out for. Preference is for in the city area, but we will be renting a car, so parking may be an issue (?). We have Krisflyer & Velocity, so collecting points for one of those would be good too (but not a priority).

The other question is about the car - where should we look, and what should we avoid when renting a car over there. Do we need to get international driver's license?

Oh yeah, and what would be the best way to get to and from the airport? Usually I get lazy and get a taxi, but I'm sure there is a better alternative to that?

 

[serfty]

Taxis from AKL to the city are surprisingly expensive.

There is also a hefty fee for picking a hire car up from the airport, but that still my be better than a taxi.

Hotel shuttles are also available as well as a "airbus".

 

[AdMEL]

I'm also off to AKL for a week in mid February. Don't plan on staying in Auckland, so can't help with accommodation, although I will keep an eye on the recommendations, in case I do end up staying in AKL.

Since I will be hiring a car, I can help with that ....

Car hire seems to be horrendously expensively in NZ! I'll be renting a Commodore through Avis - public rate from the airport is just shy of NZD 1,000 (~AUD 800 @ current exchange rate of 1.25)! Smallest car is about NZD 700 for a week. All of the major companies (Hertz, Budget, Thrifty, Europcar) are about the same. Luckily my employer's leisure rate halves the Avis rate. I've read that there are a couple of smaller companies that rent out slightly older cars at cheaper rates, but I don't have details. Avis is currently offering one day free on 5 day rentals, which is available when you'll be there - see their website.

Airport Fee appears to be a flat fee, rather than a % - NZD 40 + GST (15%), so all up NZD 46 (~AUD 37 @ current exchange rate of 1.25). Hardly what I would call hefty for rentals more a day or two. I don't know how it compares to a taxi fare into the city, but I doubt you could get a taxi there and back cheaper, so I would be hiring the car from the airport and dropping it back there. Interestingly, the airport fee is not shown with my corporate rate - I hope this means it isn't applicable, rather than they are going to add it at the time. When I called to confirm, the person I spoke to in Australia said the website quote was the total, but in my experience, you can't rely on what they tell you.

I don't plan on obtaining an international driving permit - I've rented in the UK and US without one, so I figure NZ shouldn't be a problem, given most things between Australia and NZ are reciprocal. If you are really concerned, there are websites that tell you which countries you need one for (e.g. I think RACV, etc. list on their website, since they issue the permits).

Car rental in NZ works similarly to Australia, in that comprehensive insurance is automatically included, with approx. a NZD 3,000 excess. Your travel insurance or gold/platinum credit card travel insurance should cover this without you having to pay even more to reduce the excess. I have read on FT that Avis NZ debit (not just authorise) your credit card for the entire excess if you choose not to reduce the excess, but this doesn't seem correct to me. I've tried to call AKL Avis to confirm, but haven't been able to get through to them. Maybe someone else who has actual experience can advise for the benefit of both of us.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I always rent cars through Avis in NZ ( with minimum insurance levels as per my Avis Preferred account) and AFAIK have never had the excess debited from my card during a rental.
The taxi fare from AKL to city is $70-80 NZ, long trip and traffic can be fairly hefty. I would be getting the car at the airport.
Have only stayed in apartments in AKL so no recommendations for hotels, sorry.

 

[AdMEL]

I always rent cars through Avis in NZ ( with minimum insurance levels as per my Avis Preferred account) and AFAIK have never had the excess debited from my card during a rental.
The taxi fare from AKL to city is $70-80 NZ, long trip and traffic can be fairly hefty. I would be getting the car at the airport.
Have only stayed in apartments in AKL so no recommendations for hotels, sorry.

Thanks for the confirmation regarding Avis. I thought this would be the case, but the FT member was adamant that it had happened recently and more than once, despite me saying it was not their policy.

That's a very expensive taxi ride! Makes MEL seem reasonable and I would definitely not complain about the NZD 40 (+ GST) airport fee for a rental car!

 

[dk4]

New Zealand driving recommendations

A valid Queensland licence is sufficient to hire a car... BUT just be aware that NZ has some odd road rules!

RED CAR GIVES WAY IN THIS EXAMPLE[video=youtube;1VyOTdH6A0w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VyOTdH6A0w[/video]

And more detailed scenarios, and variations, as to who should give way in which situations

BLUE CAR GIVES WAY IN THESE EXAMPLES[video=youtube;uuYsrdgdj1g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuYsrdgdj1g[/video]

 

[AdMEL]

dk4, thanks for the tip! Not that odd though - the same rule (left turning vehicles giving way to right turning vehicles) applied in Victoria, up until a few years ago. I learnt to drive with that rule and it took a while to get used to the change. It was in place to avoid delaying trams (as is the hook turn), but apparently it caused too many accidents, as tourists from both interstate and overseas weren't used to it (or possibly aware). Accordingly, it was changed, to bring the rule into line with the rest of Australia.

 

[stomplad]

So, as the title says, we are off to Auckland for 5 days at the end of January, and I have a couple of questions. The first is accommodation...any recommendations? We are a bit fussy; love a bit of luxury (preferably without paying too high a price for it of course ). I have had a look on the internet and there are plenty of places that look nice, but I was wondering if there are any personal experiences (good or bad) that may help us make up our minds, and any tips for what to watch out for. Preference is for in the city area, but we will be renting a car, so parking may be an issue (?). We have Krisflyer & Velocity, so collecting points for one of those would be good too (but not a priority).

I have stayed at a number of places in Auckland, by far the best is Sky city GRAND. It is the best 5 star hotel in AKL IMO. The hotel is new, the rooms are a reasonable size and the suites are spacious. Service is 5 star (Kiwi style, bit more casual) and it has a grand foyer, terrific breakfast and is well located. Ask for harbour view but if not high floor. There is a companion hotel across the road Sky City Hotel, it is better value, though not as luxurious, more corporate, but it has very spacious nicely styled rooms. Only real downside is foyer is shared with casino entry, can be noisy, but if u like a flutter and cheesy cabaret that could be a bonus.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I always rent cars through Avis in NZ ( with minimum insurance levels as per my Avis Preferred account) and AFAIK have never had the excess debited from my card during a rental.
The taxi fare from AKL to city is $70-80 NZ, long trip and traffic can be fairly hefty. I would be getting the car at the airport.
Have only stayed in apartments in AKL so no recommendations for hotels, sorry.

Yes agree, it is also an interesting route into town.

Freeway then suburbs then freeway!!

Very strange. The greenies clearly run the place.

 

[tuapekastar]

I have stayed a number of times at the Crowne Plaza in Auckland and while it is not top echelon there - it is a fairly typical HI/CP hotel - I still find it just fine for my needs, and quite well located. Hilton is supposed to be very nice (and well located 'on the water'), but is usually quite pricey (for me, anyway). The Langham is liked by a lot of people as well. Of course, there are plenty of other options, including 'boutique' hotels.

A bus runs regularly to/from the airport and is reasonably priced (can't recall exact price but google Auckland Airport Bus for details - I think a return ticket offers some discount). It drops off at or very near to the all the hotels listed above. I may be off the mark here, but I seem to recall that taxi prices are unregulated in Auckland. A couple of years ago one of our group got a ~NZD30 fare to the airport by getting the hotel (CP in this case) to call some discount taxi company. Don't know how you'd go about getting that from the airport though.

There are the major rental companies, then there are many smaller operators. I always go for the majors, I figure if I break down in the middle of nowhere (touch wood, hasn't happened yet ) I'm more comfortable with the support/replacement I'm likely to get from them rather than Joe Blow's 3-car operation. Having said that I've had friends hire from these smaller operators without major issues. Afraid I cannot recall the names.

If you look down the majors path, this site tends to compare them all, and often has the best prices for them (though always compare going direct through the hire company's site). I always purchase Travel Insurance that has rental car excess cover - apparently it's no good in some jurisdictions but AFAIK it's fine for NZ. Thrifty has actually turned out best for me the last 2 or 3 hires in NZ, but I've used Avis and Hertz there before with no issue.

 

[scwappy]

I've also stayed at the Sky City Grand and it was a great hotel for the price paid.

 

[Jude Starr]

Hmmm, good food for thought here. Thanx everyone! I have been investigating some of the hotels mentioned (and some not mentioned) via the glory of the internet...very much liking the look of The Langham so far. :mrgreen:

We weren't planning on picking up the car at the airport, because we arrive in the evening so were thinking we'd go straight to the hotel and wouldn't really need a car until the next day (one less day of rental, and one less day to pay for parking too). So, I think we will look into airport shuttle buses...it looks like there are a few options there, so off to google a bit more.

 

[stomplad]

Hmmm, good food for thought here. Thanx everyone! I have been investigating some of the hotels mentioned (and some not mentioned) via the glory of the internet...very much liking the look of The Langham so far. :mrgreen:

We weren't planning on picking up the car at the airport, because we arrive in the evening so were thinking we'd go straight to the hotel and wouldn't really need a car until the next day (one less day of rental, and one less day to pay for parking too). So, I think we will look into airport shuttle buses...it looks like there are a few options there, so off to google a bit more.

Langham OK, but a bit dated I believe, check out trip advisor. Location is also at the wrong end of town, a bit far from city center. AKL can book out quickly if there are cruise ships in town so dont leave it too late.
Hertz has some great deals on NZ car hire ATM
Have a great trip!

 

[Ewing]

I quite liked the Pullman (ex Hyatt Regency) when there earlier this year. I managed to pick up a suite for less than what a standard room would cost on this side of the ditch.

It was walking distance to everywhere I needed to go, but there are some hills involved

Some photos of my room there: Flickr: Shaun Ewing's stuff tagged with pullman