Upscale hotel located in a historic, 1920s landmark building
In the heart of the central business district, near Sky Tower
Clean, spacious rooms with minibars and coffeemakers
Many rooms have washer/dryer sets and kitchenettes
Restaurant/bar with a focus on healthy, local food
Indoor lap pool and heated outdoor, and rooftop pool with views
Two fitness centers, outdoor tennis courts, plus whirlpool and sauna
Large inventory of event space including the opulent Grand Tearoom
Free Wi-Fi throughout and 24/7 business center
Self-serve laundry facilities on four floors of the Hotel Wing
Gift shop that sells sundries and souvenirs
Tower Wing guests have significant walk to Hotel Wing’s restaurant
Rooms can vary in decor and amenities between the two wings
Rather basic rooms decor
The upscale, 179-room Heritage Auckland offers the attractive combination of a Central Business District location and excellent amenities. Much of the hotel is located in a historic Art Deco department store building that’s been lovingly restored to feature original wood floors and a seven-story atrium topped by glass skylights. Amenities include a lovely event space, two fitness centers (one in each wing), sauna, indoor lap pool, tennis courts, and a heated rooftop pool with spectacular views. There’s a wide choice of rooms and suites (though style is a bit bland overall) in the original building and newer Tower Wing. They’re all spacious and include minibars and coffeemakers. Many suites have kitchenettes as well as laundry facilities. By comparison, the nearby four-pearl Rydges Auckland typically offers better rates and has an oyster bar.
Scene
A vibrant downtown hotel in a historic, Art Deco building
This property is located in one of Auckland’s most recognizable historic landmarks, the 1920s, Art Deco Farmer’s department store building. It includes the original Art Deco building (Hotel Wing) and the newer Tower Wing, which are connected by an enclosed walkway. The restaurant and lobby bar are located in the Hotel Wing, and guests staying in a Tower Wing must walk a few minutes to reach the restaurant and bar. The lobby is quite lovely, with a granite-framed fountain just below its wood and iron staircase. Some of the original wood flooring is on display, along with a striking wood reception desk with intricate designs. Antiques and traditional upholstered armchairs enhance the historic space. The seven-story, sky-lit atrium creates a tropical showcase for Hectors restaurant that’s surrounded by large palm trees. The opulent Grand Tearoom is also in the original building, and it plays host to numerous social and business events including many weddings. This hotel has a vibrant ambience full of both business and leisure travelers as well as local business people.
Location
In the heart of the Central Business District, a three-minute walk from Sky Tower
The Heritage Auckland is located in the heart of Auckland's Central Business District (CBD) in the former Farmer’s department store building that dates back to the 1920s. The hotel is just a three-minute walk to the Auckland Sky Tower, and one minute on foot to a bus stop. It’s surrounded by a great choice of restaurants and shops. It’s a six-minute walk to the Viaduct Harbor entertainment area, and an eight-minute walk to the New Zealand Maritime Museum. It’s a 10-minute walk to Princes Wharf, where cruise ships dock and ferries to nearby attractions such as Rangitoto Island depart. Expect a 17-minute walk (or 12-minute bus ride) to Britomart, a transit center with lots of trendy restaurants. The expansive Auckland War Memorial Museum is a 12-minute drive or a 30-minute bus ride away, while getting to the airport takes around 30 minutes by car or 75 minutes if using public transport.
Rooms
Spacious rooms with minibars and coffeemakers; many with kitchenettes
Guest rooms here are split between two wings. Those in the original Hotel Wing feature a somewhat different decor than those found in the newer Tower Wing, but they both offer rooms with a rather basic look that while tasteful, isn’t necessarily stylish. Original plank wood floors and wood columns give the Hotel Wing rooms a historic charm. Solid red rugs cover some of the floors, and the walls are painted white save the dark brown accent walls that echo the bed throws. Like the Tower Wing rooms and suites, many of the suites in the Hotel Wing have kitchenettes with stoves, microwaves, sinks, utensils, and dishwashers. The matching light-wood furniture includes armoires, desks, and dressers, and many suites have sliding wood and glass doors that separate bedrooms from sitting areas. Tower Rooms swap out some of the espresso-brown in textiles for mauve, and lean away from Art Decor for something a little more contemporary, with glass side tables and boxy armchairs in a modern print.There are several room options to choose from, and they are all clean and spacious with comfortable beds including king, queen, and double twin configurations. Standard Rooms have approximately 320 square feet and Superior Rooms have approximately 366 square feet. Suites range from 505 square feet to a whopping 1,500 square-foot Director’s Suite with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Rooms in the Tower Wing have private laundry units, while guest laundry facilities are located on four floors of the Hotel Wing. The spacious bathrooms feature beige tiling and granite vanities with shower/tub combos, although some of the larger suites in the Tower Wing have separate tubs and walk-in showers with glass doors. Many Tower Wing suites also have private balconies with seating and excellent views of the city and harbor. Most other rooms have nice city or waterfront views as well, but some overlook the hotel’s inner courtyard. Standard amenities in all rooms include free Wi-Fi, robes, safes, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, iPod docking stations, and minibars.
Features
Restaurant/bar, indoor/outdoor pools, two fitness centers, whirlpool, sauna, free Wi-Fi, and large event spaces
The Heritage Auckland offers an attractive array of amenities, including fitness centers in each of its two wings that are equipped with cardio and weight-training equipment. An all-weather, lighted tennis court is offered, and guests can rent racquets and balls. The hotel also has an indoor lap pool, whirlpool, and sauna, as well as a heated outdoor pool on the roof with sweeping views of the city. The area surrounding the pool has outdoor sectional sofas and some tables with umbrellas. The Hector restaurant is situated in the seven-story atrium and surrounded by large palms. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a focus on healthy, locally sourced food including numerous vegetarian and vegan options. The hotel also has a lobby bar that serves smoothies and tapas. Room service is available. Several meeting rooms are available, including the opulent Grand Tearoom that's a popular host of weddings and corporate events. It can accommodate over 400 people. The business center is open 24/7 and free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the hotel. Parking is valet only and a bit expensive. There's a gift shop that sells sundries and souvenirs. Concierge services include babysitting (for a fee) and valet dry cleaning and laundry. Self-serve laundry facilities also are located on four floors of the original Hotel Wing (rooms in the Tower Wing have washer/dryer sets).