Ponsonby or Parnell?
 

Which area would you stay in in Auckland? We will be there for 2 nights. Our options are Great Ponsonby b&b and Ascot Parnell. Thanks.

Help, please, anyone? Thanks.

Hi XXXX,

Really, they're both great areas, as is Devonport, one of my favorites.

I can't comment on the specific accomodations, but the areas are fine!

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Kiwi Specialist

Hi XXXXX

Are you staying over a weekend or on a weeknight?

Friday and Saturday nights are the liveliest in both locales but if you are there during the week your choice of eateries and bars is slightly greater in Ponsonby. During the day Ponsonby has a better selection of cafes to choose from. Avoid the chains like Starbucks like the plague. Try Atomic much better coffee. (or for that matter any of the other cafes along the strip)

I have not stayed at either of the places you mention as I live here and as such have no need for accomodation. However both are within easy walking distance of several restaurants so that will not be an issue.

Ponsonby is a real neighbourhood but with oddles of cafes. It has hundreds of wooden houses like those in the bay area.

In Parnell we trudged up the steep street and most of the old houses have been pulled down and replaced by modern monsters.
I would choose Ponsonby any day. A bus service links to both.

Thanks, everyone, for the responses. Ponsonby, it is!

That's the right choice for sure, I always stay in Ponsonby because it's so close to the city and full of interesting little shops, the best places to eat and drink, and has a lot more personality than Parnell.
Plus the Great Ponsonby is a find - comfortable attractive rooms, free internet which is a bonus in nz, and extremely helpful knowledgeable staff who can give you loads of info and recommendations.

I was also considering staying at the Great Ponsonby B&B as so many people have recommended it, but is it easy to get to from the airport? My boyfriend and I arrive in Auckland at 11.45pm and won't be picking up our hire car straight away.

Thanks

Hi there

At that time of night your only options for transport will be taxis or shuttles. The airport bus will probably have finished. However there are plenty of taxis available outside the Intl terminal to your left as you exit customs. Depending upon what firm you ride with the fare will be around 40 - 50 NZD at that time of night.

With using a cab it is easy to get to.

Hope this helps.

Thank you kiwi_acct - that's a great help!

When I stayed at the Great Ponsonby I came in very late at night too, and they had a driver meet me at the airport and take me there in a van. He was a lovely guy, very friendly and it was a relief not having to search out a taxi.

He took me into my room right away as well so I could go straight to bed. It's a great idea really having someone pick you up that already knows the hotel, I have had a few problems with taxi drivers not knowing where on earth they are going in auckland though some of the companies are ok.
If you need a car ACE rentals are pretty good, the owners booked me one with a contact they have there, and they came and picked me up from the hotel which saves time.

Ponsonby's about half an hour from the airport and there's hardly any traffic late at night. The area round the airport's pretty bleak and there's not much to do that's really close by, so I'd definitely recommend heading into the city as soon as you get to auck.