Vineyard Retreats to City Suites: The Best Hotels in Auckland for 2024

Rooftop Bar at the SO/ Hotel

Auckland, the city of sails, is a dream destination for the urban traveler who loves to explore, drink, and dine. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, scenic adventures, or boutique shopping, Auckland has it all. We think there’s no better way to soak up this vibrant city, than basing your stay at one of the city’s aesthetic hotels. From high-end waterfront high rises to vineyard retreats, Auckland offers a range of accommodation options that cater to every preference, and budget. 

Our recommendation for the best luxury hotels in Auckland in 2024:

Hotel Britomart Lobby

The Hotel Britomart

This eco-friendly hotel is New Zealand’s first 5 Green Star hotel, with beautiful timber-lined rooms, and a stunning exterior of exposed brickwork. Located in the historic Britomart district, the hotel is surrounded by a rich array of dining, and historic architecture.

Hotel Britomart Suite

• Best Auckland hotel for: eco-conscious travelers who appreciate design and culture

• Why we love it: This hotel is not only stunning to look at, but also community-minded. They use renewable energy, organic materials, and regionally sourced products. With a focus on supporting the New Zealand art community by showcasing local art works.

  Look out for their events and packages with their Britomart neighbors, like the Hotel Britomart Black Card Package. This package includes breakfast for two at the renowned Kingi restaurant, a complimentary room upgrade and a $100 Britomart Black Card to spend in the Britomart precinct. An absolute steal, starting at $549NZD

• Location: The hotel is located in Auckland’s Britomart precinct, which is perfect for a short stay, as it’s within walking distance of the Ferry Terminal, Commercial Bay, and Auckland Viaduct. A stay at Hotel Britomart makes it easy to indulge in  the highlights of Auckland’s restaurant scene. You’ll find many of the city’s most iconic eateries right on your doorstep. We recommend Kingi, Alma, Ortolana, Movida, and Mr Morris.

Sabrage Cocktail Bar at Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour

Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour

This elegant Auckland City hotel is situated on the edge of the Viaduct Harbour, with windows to the water. The hotel boasts recently renovated rooms and suites, with private balconies, and deep soaking bathtubs. The hotel has a fine dining restaurant, a wine bar, a day spa, fitness center and large indoor pool. 

Ocean view suite at Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour

• Best Auckland hotel for: A romantic inner-city getaway

• Why we love it: This hotel is well designed, with a relaxing ambience. Most rooms offer private balconies overlooking the internal water feature, floor-to-ceiling windows, and large comfortable beds. We recommend the Sofitel Viaduct Auckland because the staff always provide superb service, particularly the spa staff. The hotel’s day spa is renowned for its Biologique Recherche facials and massages, making it the ideal destination for a couples escape or girls weekend.

• Location: Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour is located right on the edge of the Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter. A lively and vibrant area with many restaurants, bars, and cafes. You can also walk to the Sky Tower, Queen Street , or jump on a ferry to visit Waiheke Island’s wineries.

Esther Restaurant at QT Auckland Hotel

QT Auckland

This quirky boutique hotel is located in the heart of Auckland, near the Viaduct Harbour across from the Sofitel Viaduct Harbour. The hotel features bold design elements, with suites decorated in velvety bedding, and beautifully tiled bathrooms. 

Room at QT Auckland Hotel

• Best Auckland hotel for: Young at heart travelers who want a funky, eclectic hotel that has some atmosphere

• Why we love it: This hotel has a cheeky, fun atmosphere that sets it apart from your standard corporate hotel. With well thought-out rooms and suites, lush bedding, and Kevin Murphy toiletries. Esther restaurant at QT Auckland offers moorish food inspired by local produce, and while the breakfast menu is limited, every dish is delicious. The highlight of the QT Hotel though, is their rooftop bar, where they host live DJs, and music. Don’t skip the spicy margaritas. The hotel also regularly hosts interesting events, such as art exhibitions, fashion shows, and cocktail masterclasses.

• Location: The hotel is located on the Viaduct Harbour. You can walk to many of the city’s attractions, like the Sky Tower, Wynyard Quarter and the Auckland harbor bridge.

• If you’ve had one too many spicy margs, stop in for a recovery meal at Grand Harbour Yum Cha next door.

Mudbrick Cottages

Mudbrick Waiheke

This endearing boutique hotel is located on Waiheke Island, a short ferry ride from Auckland. Heralded as the most romantic place on earth, the working vineyard has stunning views of the Hauraki Gulf. Mudbrick’s accommodation options include cozy cottage rooms, and private villas, with fireplaces, outdoor baths and private gardens.

Room at Mudbrick Cottages

• Best Auckland hotel for: Nature-loving travelers who want to experience a charming cottage stay.

• Why we love it:Surrounded by vines, and olive gardens, the Tuscan inspired estate will leave you breathless with its quaint grounds and sunset views. Famous for its restaurant and cellar door, where you can sample Mudbrick’s award-winning wines, and local produce.

  This hotel is perfect for couples looking for a romantic getaway, as it is secluded, yet still offers easy access to all of Auckland’s best wineries. 

• Location: The hotel is located 40 minutes from Auckland CBD by ferry, on Waiheke Island. A beautiful, tranquil island with many beaches, vineyards, and art galleries. You can explore the island by bike or car. Traveling to and from Auckland CBD is fuss-free, with regular ferry’s going between Auckland CBD and Waiheke throughout the day.

Intercontinental Hotel Auckland

Intercontinental Auckland

This brand new hotel is located on Auckland’s waterfront, with views of the harbor. The hotel has stylish options for rooms and larger suites, with locally inspired contemporary design influences and artworks. 

Intercontinental Auckland Hotel

• Best Auckland hotel for: Business travelers looking for easy access to Auckland’s CBD and inner city suburbs. 

• Why we love it: Modern, sleek, sophisticated, and conveniently located. The intercontinental offers a reliably comfortable stay, and has the best location of any luxury hotel in Auckland City. With expansive views of the harbor, small but well designed standard rooms and good service, there’s not much more you need. At the moment the fitness center is being completed, so guests have access to Auckland’s best gym - Les Mills Britomart. This includes plenty of classes, fitness machines, a sauna, and cycle studio. 

• Location: The hotel is located above Commercial Bay, across from the ferry terminal, the Viaduct Harbour, and the Britomart precinct. It’s easy to get to Origine, Ahi, and Gochu, and Auckland’s designer duty-free shopping.

Suite at Park Hyatt Hotel Auckland

Park Hyatt Auckland

This sophisticated waterfront hotel offers panoramic views of the Waitematā Harbour and the city skyline. The hotel features spacious guest rooms, four restaurants and bars, a day spa, a 25-meter infinity pool, and a fitness center. 

Park Hyatt Hotel Auckland

• Best Auckland hotel for: sophisticated travelers who want to enjoy panoramic sea views and luxury amenities

• Why we love it: Park Hyatt offers a refined experience, with spacious, well designed suites. Interior accents are locally inspired with traditional Maori patterns incorporated into design elements throughout the rooms and lobby, giving the hotel a unique, authentic style. The highlight of this hotel is its wellness amenities, which include a large outdoor lap pool, a day spa, hydrotherapy room, sauna, steam room, and well-equipped fitness center. 

If you are a Hyatt member, a room upgrade to a suite is well worth it. We recommend trying to nab a rooftop room for the views, and to keep the noise at bay. We do find that the rooms on level 3 and 4  of this hotel get noise pollution at night from Auckland viaduct, so request an upper level when booking.

Location: The hotel is situated on the edge of the Waitematā Harbour, with views of the city skyline and the harbour bridge. You can easily access the Viaduct Harbour, Wynyard Quarter, and Commercial Bay, where you can find plenty of dining, and shopping. The best dining on site at Park Hyatt is the high tea. The Captain’s bar also has delicious cocktails, offering a cozy place to sit in the Winter months. We would recommend skipping the main restaurant, Onemata, for one of the better restaurants nearby like Bivacco or Hello Beasty. 

The Fitzroy Hotel Curated By Fable

The Fitzroy Hotel by Fable

Locally owned and operated, this boutique hotel weaves local influences into every detail. From its uniquely detailed décor to its charming old world exterior.

• Best Auckland hotel for: Travelers looking for a cozy boutique hotel that feels like home away from home.

• Why we love it: The personalized touches and attention to detail set the Fitzroy apart from other boutique hotels in the area. We love the thoughtful inclusions like the daily breakfast to your room, afternoon canapes and complimentary mini bar. 

• Location: Located in Ponsonby, an inner city suburb, where locals in the know flock for freshly brewed coffee, and aesthetic eateries.

  Restaurants sprawl out onto the street, and local boutiques are full of iconic kiwi designers such as Juliette Hogan, Karen Walker, and Lonely.

  The area is quiet enough for sound sleeping, with just the right amount of night time atmosphere for evening drinks at nearby cocktail bars.

MIXO cocktail bar at SO Sofitel Hotel

SO/ Sofitel Auckland

SO/ Sofitel is a unique urban hotel in the heart of the city. The hotel’s design is a result of a collaboration between Dutch interior designer Moooi and New Zealand fashion house, WORLD, that draws inspiration from the volcanic elements of New Zealand.

Suite at SO/ Sofitel Hotel, Auckland

• Best Auckland Hotel For: Modern travelers who want to experience the city’s art and entertainment

• Why we love it: This hotel is a showcase of creativity and contemporary design. With rooms and suites that blend modern stylized furnishings with creature comforts. Savor the hotel’s culinary delights, at the Harbour Society restaurant, which serves exquisite Asian-inspired dishes with a French touch. Or indulge in some drinks at one of the hotel’s two bars, MIXO, and the renowned rooftop bar, HI-SO, where you can sip cocktails and listen to live music.

  For some pampering, head to the SO/ Spa, which offers a range of personalized treatments, as well as a sauna, plunge pool, lap pool and fitness center.

• Location: The hotel is conveniently located in the center of Auckland, within walking distance of the Viaduct Harbour, the Wynyard Quarter, and the Britomart precinct, where you can find fashionable boutiques, galleries, cafes, restaurants, and bars.

Omana Luxury Villas on Waiheke Island

Omana Luxury Villas

Omana Luxury Villas are the perfect secluded Auckland escape. With 4 cliffside villas across a sprawling 3 hectare property perched above the beach. The property can be completely booked out for uninhibited privacy. A celebrity favorite, recent guests include Rita Ora and Taika Waititi. 

Bathroom at Omana Luxury Villas on Waiheke Island

• Best Auckland hotel for: Travelers looking for a luxurious, peaceful stay near Waiheke’s vineyards

• Why we love it: Surrounded by local forest, with sweeping sea views, Omana Luxury Villas offer pure relaxation, while still being within an hour of Auckland’s CBD. The villas have a modern aesthetic with local artists' work featured throughout the property. There is a kitchenette in each villa that allows guests to sample some of the delicious local produce grown on Waiheke Island. Wine tastings, hiking, snorkeling and bike tours can all be arranged via the concierge.

• Location: The hotel is located near Poderi Crisci Vineyard and Batch winery, in Woodside Bay. Waiheke Island is a stunning scenic island with many of Auckland’s best restaurants, vineyards, and scenery. Join a guided wine tour, or charter a luxury yacht around Waiheke’s beautiful coastline. 

Hilton Hotel Auckland

Hilton Auckland

This landmark hotel is located 300 meters offshore, on the end of Princes Wharf. The Hilton Auckland has large rooms and suites, with panoramic sea views, and spacious bathrooms.

Fish Restaurant at Hilton Hotel Auckland

• Best Auckland hotel for: Travelers stopping in Auckland to port a cruise ship.

• Why we love it: This hotel is a landmark of Auckland, located 300 meters offshore, on the end of Princes Wharf. It offers large, modern rooms and suites, with views of Rangitoto and Waiheke Island. While the hotel is slightly older than many of the others on this list, it still offers a great stay due to its convenient location for cruise ship travelers. We’d say this is more of a solid four-star stay with reliably good dining, and good service. 

• Location: The hotel is located on the waterfront, with views of the Waitematā Harbour. You can access the Viaduct Harbour, Wynyard Quarter, and Commercial Bay in minutes. You can also take a ferry to Waiheke Island or Devonport, or a bus or a train to other areas. This hotel is ideal for people flying into Auckland to board a cruise ship, as it’s right next to the cruise ship port and customs area for cruise liners.