Park Hyatt Auckland, brand new hotel and simply perfect (even in price)
Hyatt is a top chain; this hotel is the first property in New Zealand. I have no idea if it is the best hotel in Auckland, but it is definitely among the top ones
New Zealand
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My "sprint" world tour included two nights in Auckland. Frankly I didn't understand why in the various changes, deletions and new itineraries both ended up having two nights to spend in New Zealand.
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The best bonuses
Of course, I couldn't stay in the same hotel all the time., so for the first night I opted for theHilton Auckland and for the second the brand new Park Hyatt.
This facility, the first Park Hyatt in New Zealand., was announced in 2014 and built from scratch in the new marina, the one that hosted the America's Cup in 2021. A more than $200 million investment opened in September 2020, in the midst of a pandemic and with New Zealand's borders sealed: the country only began hosting international tourists with the recent reopening this summer, or winter since the seasons are reversed here.
Reservation
I admit, I am not a member of the Hyatt loyalty program, the reason is that I practically never stay in this chain and there are no great facilities for us Italians to accumulate points in this program. I chose this property precisely because it is brand new and especially because the prices at the moment are very competitive with the rest of the hotels in the city and much lower when compared to other Park Hyatts in the world.
To book, I took advantage of the Fine Hotels + Resorts by American Express. This is one of the lesser-known benefits reserved for Platinum cardholders and Centurion, but that if taken advantage of correctly translates into a benefit of hundreds of euros each stay. I also took advantage of the promotion that allowed people to accumulate 9 bonus points for every euro spent on the American Express travel site.
In this case a room for one night cost me 261€, certainly not cheap, but we are talking about an extra luxury chain in a brand new facility. Thanks to the FH+R benefits I was also able to get early check-in at 12 noon, late check-out at 4 p.m., free breakfast (25$ value) and 100$ to spend at the hotel with which I paid for dinner.
Location
The Viaduct Harbour was the heart of last year's America's Cup, Challengers' race committees and Team New Zealand's headquarters were based here.
The area is all new and, in addition to the marina, houses a theater, several other hotels, and the headquarters of many multinational corporations such as Microsoft.
Via the pedestrian drawbridge, it is possible to quickly get to the liveliest part of downtown and walk quietly to the Sky Tower, the city's landmark.
Check-in
As soon as you step inside the hotel you are left speechless. The lobby is beautiful, a kind of covered plaza.
The structure is a 7-story building with two huge open spaces, the first houses the lobby and the second a reception hall.
Beautiful curved sofa, the only element within the lobby and the tapestry posted on the only closed wall of the structure.
The two reception desks look like wooden gazebos, all very basic and elegant.
The attendant explained to me all the benefits of my reservation through FH+R and also confirmed a room upgrade: from a base to a room with a view of the harbor and Harbour Bridge, another symbol of the city.
Many hotels limit how to spend the credit received, even there are hotels that make it (almost) unusable unless you spend even twice as much. Here, however, it can be used in all expenses except the minibar. So it applies in the restaurant, in the SPA and in the extras offered by the hotel such as room service.
The room
First of all, beautiful is the fact that the corridors are open to the squares below, also beautiful are the water ways that create reflections and play of colors on the walls.
The room was perfect and spotless. It wasn't a suite, but it was close.
Huge and very comfortable bed, corner sofa in front of the huge glass wall overlooking not only the marina but especially Team New Zealand headquarters.
Of course we are out of season, but seeing two vehicles that triumphed in this historic competition within a few meters makes quite an impression.
Everything in the room is thought of in a very functional way, starting with the demotica that manages the lighting and temperature of the room.
Right down to the bathroom curtains that is almost a work of art, one of many in this hotel.
In addition to the bathtub, there is then an immense walk-in shower, while the toilet part is separate.
There is no closet, but a walk-in closet the size of the single room in some provincial hotel.
There is everything and more in the room, including kettle and nespresso machine.
The structure
On the second floor of the hotel are the gym, spa, and outdoor pool.
The pool is heated and overlooks the very liveliest part of the marina, a nice way to watch the flow of Auckland life while soaking in the warm water of the hotel pool.
The spa has a sauna, jacuzzi, as well as classic massage rooms.
Service
Park Hyatt is an upscale facility, and this hotel is no exception. If other chains have eliminated housekeeping for (fake) environmental reasons and Some offer vouchers in exchange for giving up rearrangement Of the room, Park Hyatt not only didn't take anything away but also maintains the mid/late afternoon review of the room.
A focus that confirms how high the quality of service offered by this chain is.
When I returned to my room, I also found a sweet surprise: an unexpected and therefore much appreciated welcome gift.
Food & Beverage
The main restaurant is called Onemata, which means "rich and fertile soil." It is the place to have breakfast, brunch or dinner in the evening.
There is The Pantry a coffee shop open on the street and accessible from the hotel, ideal for a coffee before heading out or a mid-day snack.
There's The Captain Bar for the last drink before bedtime.
And finally there is the Living Room a cross between a restaurant and a pub, which has the advantage of overlooking the marina basin.
I tried both dinner and breakfast at Onemata.
Totally open kitchen and geared towards offering local products, glutton as I am I couldn't pass up eating fish and meat "made in New Zealand."
So as an appetizer I had 6 oysters and some marinated raw fish.
For the main course I ordered the "hand-selected" filet. Of course like good Anglo-Saxons they tried to place all kinds of sauces for me to try on the meat, but I elegantly declined.
Very carefully prepared dishes, careful cooking with choice of products, and impeccable service in both cases. At breakfast there is no buffet, but a menu from which to select what you prefer. Again, free breakfast included in the reservation FH+R
In conclusion
At this price, but probably more, I would book 100 more times at this hotel. Of course the FH+R program also helps a lot to make the stay special, especially when you can maximize the benefits and use all the perks. On balance I saved almost 300€ with this booking.
Pro
- The room
- The heated swimming pool
- The surprise in the room
- The service
Against
- "Restricted" menu
- USD/NZD exchange rate to be updated