Best places to stay in Auckland
A large, multicultural city with a colourful Polynesian population and a spectacular harbour, Auckland is also called the ‘City of Sails’. Here you’ll see magnificent natural scenery blending beautifully with the hustle and bustle of its urban sprawl. Because of its sheer size, no two neighbourhoods are quite the same. Here are some of the most practical and charming neighbourhoods to stay when you visit Auckland.
Auckland Central Business District (CBD)
The area surrounding the vibrant Viaduct Harbour, Auckland CBD boasts world-class restaurants, bars, cafés, shopping and several popular landmarks and attractions. Stay at the Grand Mercure Auckland hotel that features cosy, comfortable rooms, and is surrounded by designer boutiques and the award-winning restaurants of Britomart. For luxury accommodation, look at Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour hotel, a u-shaped waterfront hotel with chic, stylish rooms, decorated in a striking modernist style.
Devonport
This is the southernmost point of Auckland’s North Shore, with a rich Maori heritage. From here, you can marvel at the city’s coastline and see a treasure trove of architectural wonders. A ferry from the CBD will take you to Devonport in under 12 minutes. Stay in charming rooms with flower-filled balconies at the Peace and Plenty Inn, set in a magnificent restored Victorian villa at an unbeatable waterfront location. Or, try the Esplanade Hotel, featuring cosy, unpretentious rooms in a landmark period building, just a minute’s walk from the Devonport Ferry Terminal.
Ponsonby
For your fill of the hippest bars, finest restaurants and plenty of boutique stores, check out the Ponsonby neighbourhood which is just 10-minutes from Auckland CBD. Close to the trendy shops and eateries, you have The Great Ponsonby Arthotel, a delightful bed and breakfast with beautifully decorated villas and courtyard suites. You can also look at Ponsonby Manor, set in an elegant 1865-built Victorian mansion in the heart of Ponsonby.
Parnell
Auckland’s oldest neighbourhood, Parnell, is close to Auckland CBD and full of upmarket boutiques and quirky cafés. This area is home to a magnificent rose garden and the La Cigale French Market. Stay in the sleek serviced apartment style hotel rooms of Quest Parnell, located minutes away from historical landmarks and attractions of Parnell. Across the street from the rose gardens in Dove-Myer Robinson Park, you can also look at the Auckland Rose Park Hotel.
Cheap hotels in Auckland
The city offers a wide range of family-friendly cheap hotels, youth hostels and backpacker lodges. You can look at the award-winning hostel, Base Backpackers Auckland, just a short walk from the shops and cafés in Auckland CBD. You also have the CBD Lodge Auckland which offers cosy self-contained studios, in a central location, just a minute’s walk from Queen Street. 10-minutes from Auckland CBD, you have comfortable studio rooms encasing a tranquil courtyard at The Poenamo Hotel. In the Remuera suburb, you can enjoy a comfortable stay at The Devereux Boutique Hotel which offers stylish, tastefully decorated rooms. In the Newmarket area, you have the Auckland Newmarket Motel which boasts friendly hosts, a homely ambience and comfortable rooms and suites. Or try the boutique-style accommodation of Shakespeare Hotel and Brewery, set in a Victorian building, just a 4-minute walk from the Sky Tower.
