Hi,<BR><BR>I would be very grateful for a suggestion for charming and luxurious hotels in Auckland and Wellington. Which are considered to be the best hotels in those cities? As an indicator of what I am looking for my favourite hotels are the Oriental in Bangkok and the Pavillon de la Reine in Paris. <BR><BR>Cheers<BR><BR><BR>

You won't get anything like the Oriental Hotel in Auckland or Wellington. With a population of only about 4 Million they are hardly likely to have hotels in that status - I can't talk about the one in Paris as I don't stay in Paris when I am in France anyway so can't help you. Have you stayed in Raffles in Singapore because I can rate hotels from that and the Oriental.

Peter,<BR><BR>Try these two....I think they are the best in either city and centrally located.<BR><BR>Auckland.....The Heritage<BR>Wellington....The Interconntinental.<BR><BR>I have stayed in both for work and they are great. I am sure if you go as upmarket as you can in both, you will get great rooms, great service etc etc<BR><BR>Cheers<BR>David

I just returned from 2 weeks in New Zealand and had a great time. If you are looking for a luxurious hotel in Auckland, I would pick the Heritage. It is well-located, has all the amenities you could want and the staff was terrific. We had a superior room, king-size bed for under $100(US).<BR>A friend of mine stayed at the Stamford and loved it. It is in the same area.

We stayed at the Sheraton in Auckland this January and were most impressed with the quite luxurious rooms and service

Hi,<BR>We just returned from New Zealand and stayed at the new boutique style Hilton. It is right on the water and is great! So plush!<BR>Karol<BR>P.S. Location is good too-right in the America's Cup Village

ttt

Check out the Stamford Plaza Hotel - just near the Viaduct / America's Cup village. (Bill Clinton stayed here as well as other 'famous' people). Here is their website http://www.stamford.com.au/auckland/auck1bar.html<BR>

Have stayed in Auckland many times, and our new hotel of choice is the Sebel Suites at the Viaduct Harbor. Marina view rooms overlook the Viaduct (with balconies) and all the activity in that area. Overlooks the America's Cup wharf, sailboats, lots of restaurants, activities, etc. The rooms are small but well-designed, and there is a separate living/dining area and bedroom. Full kitchen, washer/dryer, also. We love it.

i would highly recommend the great ponsonby bed and breakfast motel. it is a very neat, clean and hospitable place to stay. the folks are very friendly and they serve a sumptuous breakfast. we were there on april 5,6, and 7 of 2002. the place is also centrally located and you can get a day pass on the link bus system which also entitles you to the ferry. we loved auckland. it is a nice city. you got stuff to do, depending on your interests. enjoy your stay.

Obviously the readers have forgotten the bench-mark of the Oriental in Bangkok and Pavillon in Paris - not quite the same scale really these suggestions.

I am a Four Seasons gal myself but I think part of the charm of New Zealand is in its extensive B&B system (some are quite fancy!)We just returned this week from 7 weeks in Oz and NZ.I enjoyed The Museum Hotel(de wheels)in Wellington.It is across the street from Te Papa,the fabulous national museum of NZ.The "de wheels" refers to the fact that the hotel was literally moved across the road when the museum was built. Wellington is a hidden gem..lots of art,performances etc.Have a great trip.

Are you intending to spend your whole vacation in a hotel room?

I would go for the Ascot Metropolis<BR>Very Very classy