Waldorf Celestion Apartment Hotel

Waldorf Celestion Apartment Hotel is popular with vacationing families and longer-term travelers looking for apartment-style digs. It's housed in a funky, black tower with red accents, and balconies that appear off-kilter. Inside, the long, dark lobby has a steampunk vibe, with concrete walls and bronze, tufted armchairs blending in with a polished, brown-marble floor. It's a bit of an awkward spot to sit, but there's a second seating area at the end of the lobby that's more comfortable, with a flat-screen TV, red flowering plants in large planters, and a few scattered vases that breathe life into the space. 

Waldorf Celestion Apartment Hotel has an excellent location, right in Auckland's Central Business District (CBD) near restaurants and shops in trendy Britomart. Most sights and areas of interest are within a 15-minute walk from the property. There's also a 24-hour Countdown Supermarket within a couple of minutes' walk, and an Indian restaurant on the ground floor of the hotel. 

The Vector Arena, and the Auckland Waterfront & Ferry Terminal are about a 10-minute walk away, and it's just 13 minutes on foot to Queen Street. The New Zealand Maritime Museum and Princes Wharf (which has ferries to nearby attractions, such as Rangitoto Island) are roughly a 15-minute walk away. The expansive Auckland War Memorial Museum is an eight-minute drive or a 30-minute bus ride. Getting to the Auckland Airport takes about a 26-minute drive, or 60 minutes using public transportation.  

Waldorf Celestion's One- and Two-Bedroom Apartments are well-equipped, with attractive, modern decor. Units are spacious but feel cozy, with espresso brown carpeting, metallic bronze upholstered headboards, and couches covered in gray crushed velvet. Red throws and lampshades add a pop of color for a look that's polished and pulled together. Bathrooms are simple but sleek, with stylish, square sinks, walk-in showers, and large mirrors.

Kitchenettes are fully equipped with mini-fridges, stovetops, microwaves, cookware, and coffee- and tea-making facilities, and other standard amenities include air conditioning, 32-inch flat-screen TVs with cable and USB input, and balconies or terraces. Sleeper sofas are available for an extra fee. Apartments range from 593 to 721 square feet. 

Waldorf Celestion Apartment Hotel has a few drawbacks in terms of features, but there's enough here for a comfortable stay. There's no on-site restaurant or breakfast options, but free access to the nearby LifeStyle Fitness gym, which has a lap pool and a tennis court, is a considerable perk. Other amenities include a guest laundry room, and a computer in the lobby that's free to use. There's also Wi-Fi, but it's only free for guests who book directly on the hotel's website, and data is capped at 2GB. There's limited on-site parking, too, for a fee, but once-weekly housekeeping is free for long-term guests.