Four nights in Auckland in July

[kermatu]

In Auckland hotel rooms pretty much the default telly channel is a rotating series of insider Auckland travel guide clips. Acknowledging all the inherent biases of such things, I did a bit of a search on youtube to see if they are available. Strangely quite informative, so you might get a bit of a taste of AKL through the following (noting much of it clearly not filmed in July):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz99qlt-W74

 

[Daver6]

In Auckland hotel rooms pretty much the default telly channel is a rotating series of insider Auckland travel guide clips. Acknowledging all the inherent biases of such things, I did a bit of a search on youtube to see if they are available. Strangely quite informative, so you might get a bit of a taste of AKL through the following (noting much of it clearly not filmed in July):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz99qlt-W74

That's fantastic! I'll have a proper watch through it on the weekend.

Just checked. Booked a king deluxe harbour view. So hoping that gets me the view mentioned. I wonder what upgrade HH gold will get me there?

 

[kermatu]

That's fantastic! I'll have a proper watch through it on the weekend.

Just checked. Booked a king deluxe harbour view. So hoping that gets me the view mentioned. I wonder what upgrade HH gold will get me there?

Yes, that will get you the view. They have very few rooms better than this. Bow suites and relaxation rooms. For 4 nights I'd be quite surprised if you get an upgrade. But you should get 2 drink vouchers per night, and if no upgrade, a bottle of pinot noir in your room. Definitely as a HH Diamond, and I'm 90% sure I got this as a Gold as well.

Strangely the higher floor up you are, the (slightly) smaller the rooms are.

 

[Daver6]

Yes, that will get you the view. They have very few rooms better than this. Bow suites and relaxation rooms. For 4 nights I'd be quite surprised if you get an upgrade. But you should get 2 drink vouchers per night, and if no upgrade, a bottle of pinot noir in your room. Definitely as a HH Diamond, and I'm 90% sure I got this as a Gold as well.

Strangely the higher floor up you are, the (slightly) smaller the rooms are.

I presume higher gets a slightly better view though into the distance? I think I'd sacrifice room size. Not planning on spending too much time in the room.

Two drink vouchers? I presume that might be for diamonds due to lack of EL. Not sure a lowly gold would receive that? Won't say no of course

 

[kermatu]

I presume higher gets a slightly better view though into the distance? I think I'd sacrifice room size. Not planning on spending too much time in the room.

Two drink vouchers? I presume that might be for diamonds due to lack of EL. Not sure a lowly gold would receive that? Won't say no of course

Yes, marginally better view, but floor 7 vs floor 3 or 4 so not decisive. My last stay I took floor 7. Not much time in room. Balcony same size I think.

Yep, no EL. I am pretty sure, albeit 2 or so years ago, that the drink vouchers were also given to Golds. But, I could be wrong so perhaps don't count on it. They've definitely clamped down on what drinks can be redeemed for the vouchers. Never had a problem using 4 in one sitting, so you don't have to use them on the date printed.

 

[donovan301]

I presume higher gets a slightly better view though into the distance? I think I'd sacrifice room size. Not planning on spending too much time in the room.

Two drink vouchers? I presume that might be for diamonds due to lack of EL. Not sure a lowly gold would receive that? Won't say no of course

A well thought out compliment in regards to being recommended to survey Their Lovely establishment can go a long way...

,...Well chosen words can often be worth their weight in Gold....or Plat, so to speak ;-)

Gift of the Gab one might say, goes a long way....Oh, Isn't this a lifetime "Milestone" holiday

 

[VPS]

The Food Lover’s Guide to Waiheke Island | Qantas Travel Insider

Some other ideas for Waiheke

Haven't been for years but maybe a drink in the Skytower - we had booked there a couple of weeks in advance for the night that NZ won the America's cup (the first time) and it was amazing watching fireworks from above

 

[amaroo]

Great timing! The tail of the Bluff Oyster season ..... it's been a few years, but have always enjoyed Sails.

 

[kermatu]

If you don't mind a spoiler - view from 7th floor Hilton earlier this month. Was very lucky with weather - low 20s every day.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Daver6, if you want good views, I can recommend the Grand Mercure 10th floor upwards.
Too late for this trip, but if you or anyone else is going to AKL, the Grand is the one for good views.
The bar on the 13 gives a good view too, esp at sunset where the low chairs are.
For sunrise, the breakfast eating area is quite good.
Hilton is quite low rise, don't think it goes up above 6 or so storeys.
Must admit Skycity would be a good one to go for too.
If using the Skybus, esp from the city back to the airport, note that like MEL, they in the AKL city area, use a small shuttle bus to get around the AKL CBD city major works, they are putting in a rail tunnel into the city centre, so can be slow going.
The small shuttle bus travels around the CBD for pickups, and then drops you off at the Skybus lounge where you buy your tickets to the airport, and change to a bigger bus.
Meaning a bit of time wasted in bus transfers.
Not sure when you are going, and might have gotten back already by now though.

 

[Daver6]

I'm sitting in the MEL QF J lounge waiting for my final flight back to PER (QF had delays and a bit of a debacle which I'll post about in the next few days).

AKL was amazing. Loved it. We got lucky with the weather and made good use of the recommendations we received, so thank you to all.

I'll post some further insights and thoughts to this thread in the next few days so others can make use of it.

 

[Daver6]

So the hotel. Hilton Auckland was good and I'd stay there again. Loved the location on the end of the pier. We booked a deluxe harbour view room. Did the online check-in and picked a room on the top floor (level 7) and right at the east end (ie, as far out towards the end of the pier as possible). As a HH gold I had hoped for an upgrade, but looking online at availability for sale there were no better rooms for sale, so no upgrade.

The room was pretty good I thought. View was fantastic. We received two drinks vouchers per night to be used between 5pm - 8pm in the bar. Turns out you can use them at any time and all at once if you like. The beer selection was brilliant. You could also trade in two vouchers for a coughtail. One morning we used the drinks vouchers for a take away coffee instead. Also received a bottle of Pinot and some chocolates in the room. All the staff at the hotel were amazing.

If you're there for leisure, its probably worth paying for a room with a view. Otherwise you just look onto the building next door. If on the pool level, you'd have very little privacy.

The only downside of breakfast was the coffee and egg tax.

A few pictures of the balcony of the room and the view from the balcony.

 

[NZflygirl]

Wow considering some of the weather blowing through NZ recently you totally got lucky!

I didn't get an upgrade either on a stay last month. Some conference thingy.

 

[kermatu]

Been a long time since I've received an upgrade at the Hilton, but the wine is a guaranteed compensation.

Maybe because the breakfast team know me well now but I've never been charged for coffee or for menu items. Stayed there last week and pretty sure there was a card on the table saying eggs were part of the buffet. But it may only be diamonds or full paying guests? There again in a few days so will check.

 

[NZflygirl]

Been a long time since I've received an upgrade at the Hilton, but the wine is a guaranteed compensation.

Maybe because the breakfast team know me well now but I've never been charged for coffee or for menu items. Stayed there last week and pretty sure there was a card on the table saying eggs were part of the buffet. But it may only be diamonds or full paying guests? There again in a few days so will check.

Can't remember what room we had but it was fine with plenty of space. Just overnighting. But if you're HH Diamond and not getting upgrades then I won't hold my breath.

 

[kermatu]

Can't remember what room we had but it was fine with plenty of space. Just overnighting. But if you're HH Diamond and not getting upgrades then I won't hold my breath.

Back in 2015 (I think) I got a couple of upgrades to the Bow suites. Not the greatest of rooms to be honest, and not really needed for my usual short trips with minimal time in rooms. If memory serves you have to go outside to see a decent view. Though having a couch to sit on rather than one odd chair is a plus.

They sell for around $900 a night -- obviously people pay that. But I sure wouldn't.

 

[kermatu]

Well just to make a liar out of me I was just upgraded for a two night stay from the deluxe harbour view room to a Bow suite. Will post some feedback later.

 

[kermatu]

The bow suite in the Hilton is better than I remembered. Has been refurbished and the bathroom in particular is much better (larger shower, better fittings). Views, particularly from the top floor are very good. Make you feel like you are on a ship on the harbour. But room is still poorly laid out, with no separation of zones and only the one TV facing bed (rendering the couch sub-optimal for viewing).

Stupidly didnt take take any photos in room.

 

[kermatu]

Can confirm eggs are included if you have the full buffet breakfast at the Hilton - a $10 charge if not. Diamonds get full breakfast. $5 coffee tax charged for all I believe, though mine was always waived by the lovely Ana-Marie or Schweter (or any other team member, actually). They look after me very well.

 

[Daver6]

Right. I've be a little remiss in updating what I actually did. Firstly though, I truly appreciate all the contributions people made.

Arriving late at night, we decided to just take a taxi to the hotel. Ouch! Almost $90 to the Hilton.

First day we took a bus from the Hilton to near Mt Eden. Walked up Mt Eden and marvelled at the views on a blue bird day. From there we walked to the Auckland War Memorial, but decided at $25/person not to go in. We were time limited to an extent. A short stroll to Parnell for a late lunch which was good, but unremarkable. Walked back from Parnell to the Hilton.

We had a dinner reservation at Clooney and were not disappointed. We thought the food was excellent and the entire experience really well done. Worth a visit if that's your thing.

The following day we slept in and headed to Waiheke Island. We walked to Cable Bay Vineyards and then onto Mudbrick. Cable Bay wines were average at best. Mudbrick was ok. Both charged for tasting and the range on offer was limited. We did sit outside at Mudbrick after for some light snacks and watched the sun set. A taxi back to the ferry terminal set us back $17.

On the third day we hired a car and drove to Karakare Falls and Piha beach, with lunch at Piha Cafe. Post lunch a walk ti Kitekite Falls. Very glad to spent the day doing this as it was stunning. Given there was no extra cost for keeping the car till the next morning, we decided to cough up the $45 for parking the car overnight at the Hilton (valet parking only) and drive to the airport the next morning. That night we diner at Cafe Hanoi which was also excellent and highly recommend.

All up, a fantastic long weekend. A truly beautiful city and would love to go back. Will follow up with some pictures.