Posted: 12/19/23 | December 19th, 2023

Nicknamed “The City of Sails” for its waterfront location and seafaring history, Auckland boasts scenic seaside views and ample water activities. New Zealand’s largest city (though contrary to popular belief, it’s not the capital), Auckland is home to almost 35% of the country’s population.

The largest airport is also located here, so if you plan on traveling around New Zealand, you’ll probably be starting your trip here. In addition to all the water attractions, there’s an incredible food scene and insightful museums, as well as vibrant neighborhoods with verdant parks, third-wave coffee spots, and very welcoming locals.

To help you plan your visit, here’s my list of the best hotels in Auckland:

Built in 1873, the Albion is a lovely, warm spot in Central, the heart of everything in Auckland. This hotel began as a “pub hotel,” meaning you could booze away downstairs before retiring in adjoining rooms. Today, there’s still a nice tavern in the hotel, with a working fireplace and billiards table. Rooms here are simple, but have very comfortable beds and pillows, great shower pressure, TVs, in-room tea and coffee.

Located on Auckland’s North Shore, this area is famed for its beaches, yet only 20 minutes (by public transportation) to the center of town. The hotel has free parking, a sauna, an outdoor pool, and a gym. Rooms are spacious and filled with natural light thanks to the impressive floor-to-ceiling windows (some rooms even have jacuzzi baths and balconies). All rooms have a flat-screen TV, desk, fridge, electric tea kettle, and free Wi-Fi. As an added bonus, the beach is only a five-minute walk away.

Located in Karangahape Road (also known as K-Road), this is a good area if you want a non-touristy neighborhood that’s relatively close to downtown. This property offers simple, light-filled rooms with pleasant earth tones. The rooms come with a flat screen TV, fridge, and a tea/coffee maker. There are two-bedroom apartments for families or those traveling in groups too. There’s even a complimentary continental breakfast. Overall, I think it’s an excellent value for the location.

Located in Britomart (named for the first British ship to navigate the harbor), this sophisticated five-star hotel is one of the poshest properties in the entire city, with several pools (including an impressive heated outdoor infinity pool), sauna, hot tub, steam room, 24-hour fitness center, and multiple restaurants. Park Hyatt boast spacious guest rooms that have floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the harbor and some even have balconies. All of the rooms have marble bathrooms and are equipped with a plus-sized flat-screen TV, a desk, plush robes, and Le Labo bath products. If you want to stay close to the water (and you have the budget for luxury), stay here.

The rooms at this elegant hotel are big and comfy, with modernly designed bathrooms that have rainfall showers with excellent pressure. But my favorite perk here might be the view out of the floor-to-ceiling windows (see if you can get a room with a view of the harbor). This five-star property offers a spa area with two swimming pools, a state-of-the-art gym, and a whopping 14 restaurants and bars!

Comfortable and stately, Cordis is one of the most luxurious hotels on K-Road. There’s a spectacular heated rooftop pool, spa area with a sauna and steam room, and a fitness center. the standard rooms are big so you’ll have a lot of space and some have lovely views of the Auckland skyline (including the iconic Sky Tower). The marble bathrooms are large too and have plush bathrobes as well as luxury products. There are several in-house eateries too!

Auckland is the starting destination of most travelers’ New Zealand adventures. Given that it’s usually quite a long trip to get here, having a great place to stay when you land is paramount. By choosing one of the hotels above, you’ll set yourself up for a restful and enjoyable stay in New Zealand’s largest city.

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