Pullman Auckland

This modern, upscale hotel is a popular place to conduct business, with enough event space for several hundred people, but tour groups are often here as well. Despite the hotel’s enormous size, the lobby has a bright and inviting ambience that features plush, boldly colored rugs and contemporary furniture in deep red, fuchsia, and bright orange. White columns frame floor-to-ceiling windows covered by sheers in a wavy black pattern that complement the black leather ottomans and lattice wood screens separating sitting areas. The lobby bar against a far wall has the same distinctive white marble facing that covers the reception and concierge desks. Large, striking pieces of modern art in black and white hanging on the walls behind the desks enhance the vibrant decor. This is a sophisticated hotel with a fresh, lively look and a buzzy atmosphere. 

The Pullman Auckland is located in a quiet area of downtown Auckland, adjacent to historic Albert Park and seven minutes on foot to the University of Auckland. There are several restaurants within a couple of minutes on foot, and it's about two minutes to a bus stop. It’s an 11-minute walk or a few minute's drive to Auckland Sky Tower, Vector Arena, and Britomart, a transit center with lots of trendy restaurants. The New Zealand Maritime Museum and Princes Wharf, where cruise ships dock and ferries depart to nearby attractions such as Rangitoto Island, are 15- to 20-minute walks, eight to 12 minutes by taxi, or 12 to 15 minutes by bus. The expansive Auckland War Memorial Museum is a 10-minute drive or 20-minute bus ride away. Getting to the airport takes around half-an-hour by car or 75 minutes if using public transport. 

Guest rooms at Pullman Auckland are divided between two towers (Hotel and Residence) and the decor varies. Rooms in both towers have neutral walls, brownish gray carpet, and bright white duvets. But the wood furniture in the Residence Tower Rooms is finished in a lighter shade that helps make them feel more modern and cheerful than the Hotel Tower Rooms. Rooms in both towers are clean and contemporary, but they're sparsely decorated and not necessarily luxurious. Some of the wood furniture in the rooms we saw was showing obvious signs of wear, and walls are mostly bare. Space is the biggest selling point, with even the Classic Queen offering ample room for generously sized desks and armchairs with matching ottomans. The apartment-style suites in the Residence Tower have separate living/dining rooms and fully equipped kitchens with stainless steel counters and appliances including ovens, stove tops, dishwashers, and microwaves. They also have large private balconies with tables and chairs, spacious marble bathrooms with black granite, dual-basin vanities, soaking tubs, and glass-enclosed, walk-in showers. Hotel Tower Rooms have upscale (but smaller) marble bathrooms as well, with dark gray marble vanities and shower/tub combos with partial glass doors. Standard amenities include minibars, flat-screen TVs, safes, robes, and slippers. Nespresso coffeemakers are included in some rooms. Past guests have praised the beds for being comfortable and the rooms for being quiet. Many rooms offer harbor views, and others have views of the city and/or Albert Park. Evening turndown service is provided. Some rooms can be upgraded to include access to the Executive Lounge that offers free breakfast and free drinks and snacks in the evening.

One of the main selling points of this upscale hotel is its large inventory of event space. It offers 16 separate rooms, including the Princes Ballroom that can host events for up to 650 people. It also has a business center with color printers and free Wi-Fi that’s accessible throughout the hotel. The Spa at Pullman has an extensive menu of wraps, scrubs, massage and body treatments, and salon services include manicures and pedicures. The hotel's wellness center features a sauna, steam room, locker facilities, roomy heated indoor lap pool and whirlpool, and large fitness center with an excellent choice of cardio and weight-training equipment. A personal trainer is available, and yoga classes are conducted by an in-house instructor. An outdoor sundeck with loungers and nice views abuts the indoor complex. The Tapestry restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and high tea with a focus on healthy choices. But, it’s on the small side for the size of the hotel and can get quite crowded on some mornings. The Omni Bar in the lobby has a snacks menu for lunch and live music on Friday evenings. Room service is available 24 hours. Concierge services include valet dry cleaning and laundry, and babysitting can be arranged. An attached public garage offers reasonable rates, but no in/out privileges. Valet parking is available, but it’s expensive.