New, bargain hotel in NZ’s biggest city is another reason to visit

The Hotel

Hotel Indigo, Auckland, New Zealand

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Auckland, New Zealand largest city, has more than a fair bit going for it, so it’s surprising Australians aren’t choosing to go there in greater numbers. It’s blessed, after all, with one of the world’s best harbours, a restaurant and cafe scene to rival any Australian city beyond Sydney and Melbourne, some cool neighbourhoods such as Parnell and Ponsonby and one of the greatest city islands in the form of Waiheke Island, a ferry ride of only 45 minutes from Auckland’s downtown. I’m glad to be back in town with home for the next three nights being the newbie, 225-room Hotel Indigo Auckland, which opened in April. Part of the giant InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), there are now more than 170 Hotel Indigo outposts in more than 25 countries with no two properties the same.

The look

The hotel, spanning the lower and middle levels of the 41-storey tower, is tucked away in a quiet leafy square in the CBD, and right next to the handsome 19th century St Patrick’s Cathedral. It would be merely another attractive enough high-rise building if it did not sit above an historic 1912 motor shop that once imported Cadillac vehicles to New Zealand. Inside Hotel Indigo itself, the not-overly-spacious art and coffee-table- book-festooned lobby leads to a more generously sized in-house diner. As part of Hotel Indigo’s universal brand philosophy – “when you see the world through the neighbourhood, the neighbourhood changes your world” – Stuart Robertson, a Kiwi artist and photographer, was commissioned to curate a photographic exhibition that relates the story of Auckland and its contemporary popular culture. That work spans all floors of the hotel.

The room

I’ve been allocated one of the smallest standard rooms at a relatively tight, though adequate, 23 square metres and with an unexciting central city view. However, the king bedroom, like so many modern hotels of this four-star ilk, is designed to maximise space. Subtle nods to the building’s automotive past include wall mirrors in the shape of, er, rear-view mirrors, industrial-style open wardrobes, headlamp lighting, pegboard shelving, and upholstery reminiscent of classic car interiors. Instead of an in-room espresso machine, there’s Kokako organic drip coffee from New Zealand’s North Island, along with the Hamilton-based organic Zealong Tea Estate selections from the country’s only commercial tea estate.

Food + drink

By far, Hotel Indigo’s biggest drawcard, is Bistro Saine, its independently-operated French-Mediterranean restaurant with a moody interior designed by the Melbourne-based Ewert Leaf and Australian hospitality consultant James Ingram. While missing out on a coveted star in the recently-launched New Zealand Michelin Guide, the restaurant did score a deserved “Bib Gourmand” award highlighting establishments that serve high-quality food at affordable prices.

Out + about

Auckland’s not known as the “City of Sails” for nothing. Its vast harbour and attractions are easily accessed by foot from Hotel Indigo, which is a central aspect of its appeal. Although a popular daytripper destination, consider allowing a few nights on the aforementioned Waiheke Island, perhaps with a splurge stay at the isle’s luxurious Delamore Lodge. Closer to Hotel Indigo is Auckland’s Sky Tower, the fashionable Britomart retail and dining precinct, the waterfront Wynyard Quarter, and Viaduct Harbour restaurant and bar.

The verdict

Hotel Indigo is a four-star bargain with Auckland’s myriad attractions making for an enjoyable five-day, or so, getaway in its own right.

Essentials

Aside from the steep street leading up to the hotel from Queen Street (Auckland’s main thoroughfare), the hotel is well-located, especially for business travellers.

Lowlight

The room service menu has few, if any, casual choices such as a club sandwich or burger.

The writer stayed as a guest of Hotel Indigo Auckland, Discover Auckland and Air New Zealand.