Park Hyatt Auckland – Hotel Review

Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau) has been enjoying something of a hotel revival with a number of high-end openings in the last few years. None was more anticipated than the striking waterfront Park Hyatt Auckland, arguably the city’s first truly international standard five-star hotel. With spacious suites, 25-metre infinity pool and a luxurious on-site spa, it certainly lives up to the hype. Read on for the full review.

Where is Park Hyatt Auckland?

Located in the Viaduct Harbour adjacent to the CBD, the 195-room Park Hyatt Auckland overlooks a popular superyacht mooring and is a short stroll to the city via a footbridge that opens to allow boats to pass. Auckland airport is 27 kilometres or 35 minutes away via cab or rideshare.

What’s near Park Hyatt Auckland?

As well as the CBD, the Park Hyatt Auckland allows easy access to vibrant waterside dining precincts such Britomart and the semi-industrial Wynyard Quarter. It’s a short stroll from the hotel to the Auckland ferry terminal where boats depart regularly for Waiheke Island, known for its European-style vineyards and untouched beaches.

Room types

The first thing you notice at Park Hyatt Auckland is the sense of space. The reception is a cathedral-like seven-storey atrium, and at 47 square metres, even the smallest rooms are generous.. Standard rooms feel more like apartments with separate walk-in wardrobes, guest bathrooms and dining tables that easily seat four guests. The decor is luxuriously hardy – marble, leather and muted colours – while not detracting from the views of the harbour framed by the city skyline including Auckland’s Sky Tower (if you opt for a harbourside room.)

There are 23 suites including the 245-square-metre Presidential Suite which has a huge balcony, fully-equipped kitchen and an internal boardroom for private meetings.

Restaurants and bars

With point-blank views of the marina, the fine diner Onemata is unashamedly focused on “kaitiakitanga” or the guardianship of New Zealand’s environment. Open for dinner every day except Sunday, expect seasonal produce such as scampi risotto with crayfish bisque, kumara with jalapeno yoghurt, with pecans and steak, lamb and venison cooked in the kitchen’s open hearth. Captain’s Bar next door is an intimate, clubby space for a pre-dinner cocktail (or nightcap in front of the open fire in winter). The hotel also has a more casual restaurant, The Living Room and a café The Pantry serving sandwiches, snacks and sustainably-sourced Eightthirty coffee.

Sustainability

Since New Zealand is an island nation the Park Hyatt Auckland is particularly focused on sourcing seafood used in its restaurants from credible, certified sustainable suppliers. Surplus food that is still safe to eat is donated to the Auckland City Mission.

Accessibility

There are eight purpose-built wheelchair accessible rooms and all eateries and bars can be accessed by guests in wheelchairs. The hotel also has its own wheelchair.

Travel for work

As well as the usual fast, free wi-fi business travellers will enjoy the spacious rooms with dining tables that double as desks with a view. The expansive fitness centre overlooking the Harbour Bridge is open 24 hours and personal training sessions are available. And there are numerous meeting and event spaces on site.

Spa and pool

The Park Hyatt has considerably more facilities than most inner city hotels including a 25-metre infinity pool with deck chairs for lounging and taking in the water view. There’s also a dedicated hydrotherapy area including a sauna, aroma steam room and vitality pools. The hotel’s spa uses Australian beauty brand iKOU as well as incorporating native New Zealand ingredients such as manuka and lemon myrtle into treatments.

What you need to know

Take time to admire the hotel’s remarkable art collection including several high-impact pieces in public spaces by local Maori artists.

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