The Ibis Budget seems the best option at about $150. Still a lot of money considering.
I have a night there in a couple of weeks.
Reporting back as promised.
Given how popular the AKL status run is with AFFers, this seems like the logical thread.
We arrived just on midnight at around the same time as three other flights so there were plenty of people around.
Below is the route I took.
It is well lit but once I passed the car park with the purple P symbol, there were no other people around.
However, it’s the main road into the international terminal and there were plenty of cars.
I never felt unsafe.
The Ibis is as you’d expect and in good condition.
I’ve stayed in far worse for $120 per night.
Pros: full blackout blinds, no noise from outside, great water pressure even on the top floor, quiet aircon, red light on TV was the only light when the room was dark (no flashing smoke detectors etc.
Cons: no power/charging by the bed, so devices need to be left on the small table overnight, soft and saggy pillows (personal preference), it’s a tight space generally.
The hotel has a few other things going in its favour.
Not part of the hotel, but on the ground floor is a cafe.
And on the ground floor behind the hotel another cafe and a sushi train.
The Ibis is also directly opposite Woolworths.
This is handy if you want to self-cater because the ibis has a communal dining area next to reception.
There’s plates, cutlery, a microwave, toaster and coffee machine.
The hotel does not participate in Accor despite all the signs that would indicate otherwise.
Only downside after a late night was waking to the jackhammering in the lift which echoed up the lift shaft through the building.
Would I stay again?
Yes, especially because by delaying pick up of the hire car to the following morning saved more than the room cost.
