City of Auckland

The city, built on the harbour, is the largest in New Zealand, but is not the capital - that is reserved for Wellington, also in the North Island but well south of Auckland. The hotel choices for metro Auckland and the CBD is extensive. From 5 star hotels such as The Stamford, The Langham, the Hyatt Regency and the Hilton, there is a broad range of 2, 3 and 4 star hotels, motels, backpackers, and serviced apartments.

Industry News

Metro Hotels Group to operate 170 room four star hotel in Auckland, New Zealand

Metro Hotels, the accommodation trading arm of the Metro Hospitality Group, a division of the Australian publicly-listed Transmetro Corporation Limited, is to operate a new 170 room four star hotel to be built in Auckland, New Zealand.

The company has signed contracts to operate the property, to be built on the corner of Pitt and Vincent Streets in Auckland. The hotel, which will be completed in mid-2011 in time for the World Cup, will include a restaurant, bar, conference and functions facilities, and a swimming pool.

The developer of the hotel is the Auckland-based Gaowoo Holdings. Hawkins has been contracted for the design & construction of the hotel. Peddle Thorp Architects have been commissioned to do the design.

For Metro Hotels it will be the group’s first property in New Zealand. The company has been contemplating a move across the Tasman for some time and has considered a number of opportunities in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, with Auckland the main target.

Metro Hotels, the oldest Australian-owned hotel chain, is now in its 34^th year. The group has properties in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, regional centres in Western Australia, and Queensland, and in the Northern Territory. The group specialises in mid-market 3 ½ to 4 star hotels and serviced apartments. The group is particularly dominant in the Sydney market where it operates eight properties with a total of around 600 rooms.

COO George Bedwani said the group is looking to expand in Australian cities in addition to pursuing other opportunities in New Zealand.

Metro’s parent company, Transmetro Corporation Limited, is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.  The company also operates a string of theme pubs in New South Wales, Australia and Western Australia through its subsidiary, the Metro Hospitality Group.  

Publisher customises travel magazine for New Zealand market 

The New Zealand publishers of a new bi-monthly travel magazine have invested heavily in listening to what would-be readers want, and the findings will benefit readers of Let’s Travel Magazine.

Surveying hundreds of active New Zealand and overseas travellers has given the editors the inside track on travel, enabling them to draw a line in the sand as to just what readers seek in a travel magazine.

By using the best of this insider information, Let’s Travel - The Magazine That Starts Your Journey is poised to take flight. So grab your boarding pass and climb aboard. The newest addition to travel mentoring will soon be landing in mailboxes and on magazine shelves across New Zealand, and this new publication will be unlike others.

While would-be readers indicated a preference for more editorial and less advertising, Gayle Dickson, Managing Editor, maintains this is a benefit to advertisers. “We’ve capped the advertising ratio at 35% which means that each advert will stand out.

“We are of the strong opinion that there is a huge market for locally based stories when it comes to our readers. Industry leaders have been extremely supportive of the fact that at last there will be a title that shows off our little neck of the woods. The travel and tourism industry have been struggling of late thanks to worldwide economics, amongst other things, and they’ve been very welcoming of a magazine that will help to get their messages across.”

According to Ms Dickson: “We refused to simply pull our story ideas, images and articles from old folders. In fact, we’ve culled the very best of what potential readers really wanted in a glossy travel magazine. We intend to deliver travel on a platter by dishing up excellent writers who know their subject matter, from boutique bedrooms to beachside campsites - articles that provide hands-on insider information from the luxury side of travel as well as bargains for the budget minded when experiencing the same destination.

“Let’s Travel is a magazine that will really search out unusual and quirky places in New Zealand that appeal to us all. The new magazine will make the dyed-in-the-wool traveller, as well as the armchair adventurer and everyone in between, start toe-tapping.”

To add sparkle to an already glittering diamond, the new publication will ‘turn down the covers’ on some of the best off-the-beaten track discoveries across the Tasman in Australia, as well as digging deeper into the perennial pleasures of our neighbouring Pacific Islands. Then, just to whet the appetite a little more, Let’s Travel will include an aspirational story about a part of the world that we all wish we could visit or experience once in our life. Whether it’s breathing the thin air while trekking in Borneo, hiking the spray-line of Angel Falls in Venezuela, maybe riding the rapids while river rafting through the Grand Canyon, sailing close to the wind off the Galapagos Islands, or mounting up on horseback in Mongolia.

“There’s never been a better time to explore New Zealand and our close neighbours,” said Ms Dickson. “There’s so much to see in our own backyards. I’ve always found it amusing, if questionable, that so many Kiwis head off on their Big OE before they’ve uncovered the beauty of travel right here at home. We intend to give every reader a reason to holiday locally.”

As for launching a title in the midst of a recession, Ms Dickson commented: “It’s a win-win situation for both the readers and the industry. Everybody wants to travel, and we’ll just help our readers to focus their thoughts on the local options. Plus, by encouraging local travel, we’ll all be doing our part to buoy up local travel and tourism, keeping holiday spend local.”

Auckland hotels benefit from Kiwis holidaying at home

A surge in the number of Kiwis holidaying at home has boosted guest nights in commercial accommodation into positive territory for the first time in six months.

Statistics New Zealand figures show domestic guest nights were up 16 per cent in October, increasing by 217,000 to 1.6 million nights and pushing total guest night numbers up by 4 per cent.

Auckland benefited the most from the boost with its domestic guest nights soaring 57,000 - a 25 per cent increase.

Canterbury also saw a boost in domestic visitors with guest nights up 32,000 or 15 per cent on the same month last year.

But the domestic increase was tempered by an 11 per cent fall in international guest nights which dropped 114,000 nights to 900,000.

Auckland was the hardest hit by the international fallout dropping 32,000 guest nights, or 14 per cent, while Bay of Plenty also suffered a big fall of 30,000 guest nights, or 28 per cent.

Of the five types of accommodation monitored, caravan parks and camping grounds had the largest percentage increase, up 40,000, or 11 per cent, followed by hotels, which were up 48,000, or 6 per cent.

Motel Association chief executive Michael Baines believed the increase was strongly linked to a drop in petrol prices.

"That makes a hell of a difference," he said.

Unleaded petrol hit a peak of $2.19 a litre in July but had fallen to under $1.90 by the start of October.

Baines said October also coincided with the start of tax cuts, ensuring people had a bit more money in their pockets to spend.

Baines expected November accommodation figures would also be up on last year and said his association had just had a record month for online bookings - 83 per cent ahead of last year.

He said forward bookings showed accommodation was filling up for the March season but not all areas were seeing the numbers.

"Taranaki has done well all the way through. Wellington has come back. But Rotorua and Queenstown are certainly down."

Baines said the popular tourist spots were suffering from the downturn in international visitors, particularly those coming on group tours.

Statistics New Zealand said the trend in total guest nights had been decreasing for a year, with the trend level now 2 per cent lower than the recent peak in November 2007, but still 4 per cent higher than the most recent low point in January 2006.

StayWell Hospitality to open Leisure Inn Express Auckland in 2010

• Telephone : +64 9 356 1000
• Facsimile :  +64 9 356 1001
• Email: res@hgcauckland.co.nz
• Web site: http://www.ghihotels.com/hgc/property.aspx?propertykey=62&citykey=44

Near Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour, the 19-storey Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland is close to the CBD, Britomart Transport Terminal, the ferry building, the waterfront, and Sky City Casino, which is about 100 metres away.

The taxi drive from the airport was a hefty $70 (New Zealand dollars). I arrived just after midnight and was greeted by the on-duty receptionist. My reservation had been made through Wotif at a keen rate of $119 for a studio room. My reservation was located and I was directed to the two elevators to the right to get to the third floor and Room 317. Entry was through a gray fire-rated door to a compact hotel room or studio. The entry hall and bathroom floors were covered in medium-sized gray tiles. The ceiling and walls of the hallway, bathroom, and the room were painted gray, except for the wall where the bed backed onto it which was painted a misty green.

On the left of the hallway was a kitchenette comprising a rang of cupboards, a sink, microwave, hot plate, a fully –stocked mini bar fridge, and a dishwasher. In the drawers and cupboards was a supply of crockery and cutlery. On the right was a tall cupboard which housed an iron, ironing board, and hair dryer. Adjacent to that was the bathroom, a company area with a full length bath on the right which also served as the shower, which worked fine. There was a white vanity basin directly in front on a white stem. Above the basin was a cabinet with a mirror-fitted door, comprising a number of shelves. The toilet was in an alcove to the left and near that was a tall cupboard which provided more shelf space. I took a shower in the morning, and it was fine. However in about 3 or 4 minutes the fire alarm went off. At first I thought it was the alarm clock but it was so loud I had to investigate it. Sure enough the alarm was sounding. I telephoned reception and was informed it was only in my room, and the receptionist said he would come and fix it. Within about a minute he was at the door. I asked him whether it was just my room where the alarm was sounding. He confirmed it was and he asked if I had taken a shower. I said I was. Well that’s caused it, he said. He then asked if I took a hot shower, which I said I had. I then asked if the alarm went off every time a guest had a shower. He said not always. He then opened the sliding glass door which of course let in all the cold air. He then waved a piece of paper under the fire detector in the ceiling. After a couple of minutes the alarm stopped. The receptionist said if you needed to take a shower, and it was to be a hot shower you needed to open the balcony door. Fortunately I was only staying the one night.

The floor of the main part of the room was covered in a patterned gray carpet. There was an inter-connecting door to the next room to the left. Next to that was a large wardrobe painted gray, with two sliding doors. It provided sufficient hanging space and some rack shelving. There was a portable luggage rack inside the wardrobe. There were two modest sized full fabric dark gray and black patterned full-fabric armchairs on wheels. Opposite the wardrobe was a low-rise king bed covered with a beige quilted bed spread, three white pillows, two burgundy cushions and two large burgundy foam bed heads. On the wall above the bed was a painting of Devonport by Bill MacCormick. To each side of the bed was a small gray wood bedside table. On one was a large white Sony Dream Machine/radio/CD player/clock, and on each was a chrome and beige plastic lamp. There was a chrome framed mirror facing he bed on the back of the wall backing on to the bathroom.

At the end of the room was a gray wood desk facing the windows, with a gray wood and stainless steel chair. On the desk was a silver modest-sized Panasonic TV which connected to local channels, Sky News, and Sky Movies. There was a small guest compendium, a black desk lamp, a black telephone and a cable for broadband. Cost of Internet access was expensive.68 cents per minute up to two hours for which the cost is $10. Or you can opt for 68 cents per minute up to 24 hours, when the cost is $33.69. That’s not all however. If you download more than 20 megabytes there is a further cost of 10 cents per MB. After only 20 minutes of browsing I was informed I had reached the limit of 20MB.

At the end of the room were glass panels and a sliding glass door which stretched from the floor almost to the ceiling. There was a set of white see through curtains, and a set of cream black-out drapes. There was a full length but relatively narrow balcony outside with a  small setting of two outdoor chairs and a table. The view was of the street and buildings. Being quite close to the road there did not seem to be any undue noise. There were two large lamps embedded in the ceiling which provided very good light.

Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland has 76 studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom suites all with kitchenette or full kitchen facilities. There is a 30 meter indoor heated lap pool, family pool and spa as well as a large sauna and gymnasium.

Undercover secure parking is available on-site over four levels.

The one and bedroom suites are located on the higher levels of the hotel and in some cases there are views or glimpses of Auckland Harbour or towards the city.

Nina, is the restaurant situated in the lobby, is open 7 days a week, from 7am to 10am for breakfast and 6 days for dinner from 5pm to 10pm. The restaurant, which is licensed, offers a la carte, buffets,  and room service.

The hotel has a boardroom, meeting room, that can cater for up to 120 delegates.

Although the hotel is rated four star I believe, on the basis of my experience with the studio room I stayed in, it is closer to three star. It is in a good location, is modern, and I enjoyed a good sleep, and shower, which are the two main attributes of any hotel, however having the fire alarm go off every time you take a shower is a deterrent to my visiting the hotel again. The studios are relatively small. No doubt the suites are much larger. The cost of the Internet access is exorbitant and would be another major deterrent to my using the hotel again.

Central Precinct Apartment Hotel

• 6 Lorne Street
• Auckland
• New Zealand 1010
• Telephone: +64 9 909 5800
• Facsimile: +64 9 909 5899
• Email: precinct@centralapartmenthotels.co.nz
• Web site: http://www.centralprecinct.co.nz

I walked to the Central Precinct which is situated between Lorne and Kitchener Streets in the heart of the city’s bustling business, shopping and entertainment areas. The building is 31 stories high, a white building towering over the city. I came in off the Lorne Street hotel entrance to the reception counter at the end of a long hallway. I advised I had made a reservation about 45 minutes earlier, it was about 10am. The receptionist, without any greeting, proceeded to look through a pile of papers, a number of copies of emails, and on a computer but failed to locate the booking. I was told simply there was no booking. I didn’t know how to respond, so I asked whether I should go someplace else and would she organize a credit for the pre-payment. She then looked down at the computer, without any comment and started browsing again. Within a minute or so she exclaimed that she had located the booking. She then had me fill out a form, while she typed away on the computer. After several minutes the receptionist looked up at me and said “You can’t have a room now, check-in is at 2pm.” I said that would be no problem and she went back to work for a couple more minutes, doping what I don’t know. Then all of a sudden she picked up the phone and called, it appears, housekeeping, and asked for Room 905 to be made available as soon as possible. I was then shown a form which had Room 905 on it, and was asked to sign it. I was told I would be telephoned when the room was ready, and in any event to return to the hotel in an hour. Then amazingly, despite all the paperwork and fiddling around on the computer the receptionist said I could not be checked in until the room was ready.

In an hour or so I returned to the hotel and this time the receptionist was a little more cheerful and handed me a swipe card and a separate key attached to a tacky key tag with the room number written on it with think ink. I was given a sheet detailing the hotel’s facilities ands directed to a bank of three elevators nearby. I traveled up to the ninth floor and alighted to a plain hallway painted white with a plain gray carpet. I found my way to Room 905 which was entered through a small white door. I had booked aone bedroom apartment through Hotel Reservations.cx at a rate of $129 (New Zealand dollars), which was just $10 more than a studio unit. There was a short hallway on entering with large rectangular unpolished gray tiles. There was a kitchenette on the right comprising a kitchen sink, an oven, hot plate, electric jug, microwave, a large fridge, dishwasher and toaster. There were dry mini bar goods and a price list which showed drinks as well, although the fridge was empty.

On the left on entering was another white door, small and painted white which was open. It was the entrance to the bathroom which was tiny. Again the gray rectangular tiles on the floor, while the walls and ceiling like the entire apartment, were painted white. There was a vanity basin in the left hand corner which was small and had very limited bench space. There was a limited amount of cupboard space underneath which contained a hairdryer and a box of tissues. The toilet was to the right of the basin, with limited space in between. In front was a heated towel rack, and to the right was a white washing machine and a separate white clothes dryer, and adjacent to it, immediately to the right on entering the bathroom, was a modest sized shower enclosure.

Leading on from the hallway was the living room area which was a modest size. The carpet on the floor was gray, and was very hard, almost abrasive. Quite unusual and a little bit dirty. There was a dark purple velvet three seat lounge suite facing a large black Samsung LCD screen atop an open polished pine wood cabinet with a  formica glass top. In the cabinet was a DVD player and two black sound speakers. To the left of this was a formica and wood top gray painted metal table with a chrome lamp, a black and silver phone and an Internet data port on top. There was a small stand-up card saying Internet rates and tariffs were displayed on the Log in page, however I connected without logging in and had Internet access for the duration of my stay without cost. I don’t know whether there was a problem with the system or it was simply complimentary. On the wall near this table, and on the wall backing on to the bathroom there were large white framed modern prints. There was a smaller version of the table at the end of the velvet lounge suite which contained another lamp. There were also down lights in the ceiling in all areas of the apartment (hallway, bathroom, living area, and bedroom).

There was a long white painted sliding door leading to the adjacent bedroom which again was quite a modest size. A queen bed backed on to the far wall, actually on to a large polished wood bed head. There were two long rectangular white framed contemporary prints on the wall above. There were small polished wood with formica top bed side tables on each side of the bed, each one had a lamp on top, while there was a black telephone and an alarm clock radio with the time illuminated on one of them. The queen bed had a white textured duvet on top with two small white pillows and a green cushion in between. At the end of the bed was a green and purple patterned throw over. There was a wardrobe alongside the left hand wall which was painted white and had sliding doors. Inside was a very large standing fan which led me to conclude the apartment did not have air-conditioning, which was not an issue for this stay, but could be at other times of the year.

At the end of the apartment were large sliding glass doors with a long but narrow balcony running alongside the living room and bedroom. There were white horizontal blinds and white see through curtains. The view was of city buildings and a large car park, not particularly attractive or unattractive.

The bed provided a comfortable night’s sleep and the shower measured up to expectations. The hotel has a fully-equipped gym, spa and lap pool on the 8^th floor and has undercover parking which I understand is n additional $20 a day. The property is well located with numerous shops, bars, and restaurants close by. There is also a Vietnamese eatery in the building adjacent to the reception area. The apartment I found basic, functional, and ok for a short or long term stay. I would have liked, and would have expected it to be more spacious, but the tariff at $129 would also modest. I would use the hotel again but would more likely consider other options first.