11 Best Hotels in Auckland, New Zealand

If you feel like staying in a "lighthouse" without being responsible for the ships, the two-story turret suite at The Boatshed may be the place for you, though there are other equally luxurious options, and dinner can be a well-earned add-on. Up a spiral staircase, glass doors open to a wraparound deck with views to Oneroa Bay. A long central room leads to a sail-covered deck and opens onto a cozy sunken lounge. In the Bridge Room, bi-fold windows frame a view of the bay. There's also the Owner's Cottage for a special stay. Helicopter transport to and from the Boatshed can be arranged, and it's possible to order spa, massage, and yoga sessions. A Jeep is available for a small charge, but it has unlimited miles and fuel.

You don't have to be religious to stay at this boutique hotel in a former Catholic Convent, where the creators have faith in the building and have given it a new, designer-style life. In keeping with its past, the rooms have names with a religious reference such as The Sacristy, The Convent Superior, Convent Petite, and Mother Superior. Amenities include luxurious linens and complimentary snacks, and the hotel also has Ada, an Italian restaurant. It's steps away from Grey Lynn, a trendy suburb with an easy, low-key vibe. 

Standing on the end of Princes Wharf, the Hilton resembles the cruise ships that dock alongside it, with white walls and neutral furnishings in chic rooms that allow your eyes to drift to the great views. The hotel's restaurant is good, while the cocktail bar is the best place to relax after a day of sightseeing. The Viaduct Basin with its raft of restaurants is five minutes away on foot.

This five-star, luxurious waterside hotel is in the heart of Wynyard Quarter with its many eateries and the city's home of theater, the Auckland Theatre Company, and it's also just outside the fray so it can be a little less noisy. The gorgeous minimalist, modern guest rooms, many with balconies, look over water toward the harbor, and the hotel's amenities include a 25-meter (82-foot) pool and an up-to-the minute fitness center. There are also four restaurants, from a café to fine dining. If you enjoy walking, the hotel is close to a great coastline walk that can take you to the underside of the Auckland Harbor Bridge.

This waterfront hotel presents guests with both luxury and a friendly environment, as well as views of the ever-changing Viaduct Basin from some rooms. Guest rooms are expertly appointed, with spacious bathrooms, and some rooms have balconies. The Harbour View corner rooms with their floor-to-ceiling windows are in particularly high demand. Lava Dining serves a great breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while the casual 21 Viaduct Cafe offers waterside dining. If you don't want to dine in the hotel, you're just a short stroll from the Viaduct Basin or the Wynyard Quarter park and restaurant area.

Low-key and comfortable, this small guesthouse within a two-story 19th-century villa provides everything you need for a relaxing stay. It's close to all that Devonport has to offer and is a short ferry ride from Auckland's CBD. Your room may have a claw-footed iron bathtub or access to the balcony; rooms are different sizes, and the decor in each is modern, neutral, and uncluttered. There are complimentary snacks and fruit in a shared lounge. 

Commanding the corner opposite the pier, this turn-of-the-20th-century Edwardian baroque-revival hotel is the first thing you see when approaching Devonport by ferry. (And it's advisable to get here by ferry, as the traffic into Devonport can be bumper-to-bumper, especially when the trendy suburb is hosting a music or food festival.) Upstairs, a wide corridor lighted by chandeliers leads to generous rooms with period furnishings and long drapes hanging from the tall windows. Harbor views come at a slightly higher rate. The elegant two-bedroom, two-bathroom Penthouse Suite is ideal for families (at around twice the standard rate).

A bonus of staying at this central city hotel is the specially commissioned artwork by top New Zealand artists hanging in the soaring lobby, an example of the great attention to design throughout. Even the staff uniforms are designed by local fashion mavens. Beautifully furnished rooms are decked in netural, contemporary hues. Some 53 floors up is the Sugar Club, which adds stunning views to its innovative menu and offers some special deals. You'll also find some fantastic eateries just outside the front door.

This hotel is close to the Aotea Centre performance venue, and its central locale close to many well-priced restaurants appeals to business travelers. The best guest rooms are large and have views overlooking the adjacent park or down to the harbor.

Local original art gives this small villa hotel on a quiet street off Ponsonby Road a special touch. Each room is well furnished, and the cozy lounge is stocked with music, films, books, and magazines; it also has an honor bar. Five of the rooms have kitchenettes and open to the courtyard. Breakfasts are made to order. A few minutes' walk puts you in the thick of the Ponsonby cafés. It's often booked up but keep an eye on the website for specials.

With its great location across from Auckland University, the Pullman offers a mix of hotel rooms and apartments; the Residences wing has beautiful balconied rooms, some with partial harbor views, while the Tower offers more conventional rooms and suites. An indoor pool and fitness center are appealing amenities, and the hotel has a restaurant and bar.