Where to Stay in Auckland When You Visit (Updated 2023)

Posted: 3/5/2023 | March fifth, 2023

Boasting harbors galore and a number of boat-packed marinas, Auckland, the biggest and most refined city space in New Zealand (although it’s not the capital), is nicknamed the “City of Sails.”

In addition to its scenic seaside views and ample water actions, Auckland has an unbelievable meals scene, insightful museums, verdant parks, third-wave espresso spots, and really welcoming locals.

Home to virtually two million individuals (virtually 35% of all the inhabitants of New Zealand), Auckland has a plethora of vibrant, colourful neighborhoods. And as the principle airport hub within the nation, that is the place most vacationers begin their journey.

To make sure you profit from your go to (and that don’t spend all of your time in transit between neighborhoods), it’s essential to perform a little research to determine the most effective place to remain whereas on this metropolis.

To enable you to resolve the place to remain in Auckland, listed below are the most effective neighborhoods (in response to me) so you’ll be able to select the realm that fits your journey model and funds.

But, first, listed below are some frequent questions I get requested about Auckland neighborhoods:

What’s the most effective neighborhood for first-time guests?
Central (or Downtown) is dwelling to the enduring Sky Tower, the Auckland Art Gallery, and a number of other nice eating places. As the title implies, it’s a handy, centrally situated space.

What’s the most effective neighborhood for buying?
Britomart is a vibrant, cheery a part of city full of indie boutiques and buying malls — good for many who need to splurge on buying.

What’s the most effective neighborhood for foodies?
Known domestically as “K-Road,” Karangahape Road is a enjoyable, up-and-coming neighborhood that’s dwelling to plenty of nice eateries.

What’s the most effective neighborhood for seashores?
Located on Auckland’s north shore, Takapuna is a world away from the bustle of the town. The lengthy stretches of seaside listed below are fantastic.

What’s the most effective neighborhood for historical past buffs?
With an extended historical past and plenty of Maori heritage, Devonport is a pleasant place to base your self.

What’s the most effective neighborhood general?
Central is an efficient spot for basing your self proper in the midst of Auckland. It may not have the allure of Okay-Road or Devonport, however you will get anyplace from right here.

So, with these questions answered, right here’s a breakdown of every neighborhood, with recommended lodging, so you realize precisely the place to remain in Auckland:

Where to Stay in Auckland for First-Time Visitors: Central

As the title explicitly suggests, Central is true within the coronary heart of every thing in Auckland. The iconic Sky Tower, in-built 1997 and standing over 328 meters (1,076 toes) tall, dominates every thing right here and likewise gives a exceptional view in the event you go as much as the highest. The Auckland Art Gallery is right here too, as are the Maritime Museum and a handful of nice eating places and bars. In brief, there’s loads to see and do on this space. It’s additionally a handy hub to go to different corners of city.

Best Places to Stay in Central:

• BUDGET: Choice Backpackers — The dorm rooms at Choice are massive and comfy, with first rate mattresses so you will get a very good night time’s sleep. Auckland’s second-largest hostel, unfold out over 9 flooring, is a enjoyable place to hang around and meet different vacationers. It’s proper within the heart of all of it, making it each reasonably priced and handy.
• MIDRANGE: The Albion — Built in 1873, the Albion is a beautiful, heat spot within the heart of city. The lodge started as a “pub hotel,” which means you can booze away downstairs earlier than retiring in adjoining rooms. Today there’s nonetheless a pleasant previous tavern within the lodge, and it’s value spending a while there to absorb the historic ambiance.
• LUXURY: Grand Millennium — The Grand Millennium is a behemoth, however in the very best method. This 452-room lodge has a hovering foyer, and the inviting visitor rooms are massive and bedecked with earth tones. The in-house Japanese restaurant serves up tasty eats as properly.

Where to Stay in Auckland for Shopping: Britomart

Britomart is called for first the British ship that after navigated across the harbor right here in Auckland. Centrally situated and all the time buzzing with locals, the engaging district options streets flanked by boutique trend retailers, the place you’ll be able to snag objects made by native designers after which get a caffeine enhance at a third-wave espresso spot. It’s additionally dwelling to close by Commercial Bay, an enormous, new-ish shopping center. If you intend on buying (or simply need to browse), that is the most effective neighborhood for you.

Best Places to Stay in Britomart

• BUDGET: The Attic Backpackers — Voted the town’s hottest hostel 4 years in a row, The Attic is a enjoyable and budget-friendly place to remain proper within the coronary heart of Auckland. The hostel gives quite a lot of sleeping choices, together with single- and double-bed non-public rooms and dorms. There’s additionally a properly geared up kitchen and an energetic frequent room for whenever you simply need to sit back and meet different vacationers.
• MIDRANGE: The Grand by SkyCity — The rooms at this glossy lodge are spacious and comfortable, however the most effective perk is perhaps the view out of the floor-to-ceiling home windows. The lodge has a swimming pool, a state-of-the-art health club, and a whopping 14 eating places and bars, so that you gained’t must go very far in the event you’re hungry or thirsty.
• LUXURY: Park Hyatt Auckland — The poshest property within the neighborhood, the Park Hyatt boast spacious visitor rooms which have floor-to-ceiling home windows providing views of the harbor. The rooms are additionally geared up with a plus-sized flat-screen TV, plush robes, and Le Labo bathtub merchandise.

Where to in Auckland for Foodies: Karangahape Road

The conventional go-to neighborhood for meals lovers has lengthy been Ponsonby, however adjoining Karangahape Road — referred to as “K-Road” — is the up-and-coming space during which to stay your fork into Auckland. A legion of cooks have gravitated right here to open glorious eateries, so in the event you journey through your abdomen, Okay-Road is the place to be. In between meals, there are many different issues to do: the streets are flanked with indie boutiques and artwork galleries good for looking and people-watching.

Best Places to Stay in Karangahape Road:

• BUDGET: Newton Lodge — A cushty and protected hostel within the heart of Okay-Road, Newton Lodge gives cozy six-bed dorm rooms in addition to female-only dorms. The mattresses are thick and gentle, and every mattress has {an electrical} outlet close by. Newton additionally has a big kitchen for friends who need to lower your expenses by cooking their very own meals.
• MIDRANGE: Ascotia Off Queen — This pretty property gives spacious rooms with nice earth tones and numerous pure gentle. The lodge additionally has two-bedroom residences for households or these touring in teams.
• LUXURY: Cordis — Comfortable and stately, Cordis is among the most luxurious spots to put your head on Okay-Road. The commonplace rooms are larger than common, and a few have pretty views of the Auckland skyline, together with the enduring Sky Tower; the marble loos have luxurious merchandise. The in-house eatery, Our Land Is Alive, celebrates the culinary bounty of New Zealand.

Where to in Auckland for Beaches: Takapuna

Takapuna looks like 1,000,000 miles from the relative bustle of Auckland. But it’s simply accessible by public transportation — a bus can get you there in about 20 minutes from the middle of city. Once there, linger on the seaside for some time and benefit from the cool breezes and the sound of lapping waves.

But Takapuna isn’t all simply surf and sand. The space has Eat Street, a highway flanked by a large variety of eating places and bars, and there are additionally boutique retailers, cafés, and artwork galleries to discover. Takapuna is basically a trip out of your trip.

Best Places to Stay in Takapuna:

• BUDGET: Takapuna Motor Lodge — Sunny and cheery, with an ample quantity of tropical flora, the Takapuna Motor Lodge is funds and primary however snug sufficient that the majority vacationers will probably be relaxed right here. Plus, there’s a heated swimming pool, a sizzling tub, a barbecue space, and free parking.
• MIDRANGE: Carnmore Takapuna — Right within the coronary heart of all of it, Carnmore is a sublime property that’s snug sufficient to please even a hardened traveler. There are varied room varieties right here, together with some with Jacuzzi baths. The lodge additionally encompasses a sauna, pool, and health club.
• LUXURY: The Spencer — This high-rise lodge has massive, spacious rooms, most with nice views and a few with balconies. All rooms have plus-sized TVs with worldwide channels, blackout curtains, and luxurious bathtub merchandise. The lodge has a totally geared up health club, a big swimming pool, and even a tennis courtroom.

Where to in Auckland for History Lovers: Devonport

Located in north Auckland and throughout the water from the Ports of Auckland, Devonport is an interesting a part of city that’s wealthy in historical past and Maori heritage. Lovers of Victorian structure will probably be dazzled by its charming Nineteenth-century buildings (this was one of many first areas of city that was settled; Maori have been right here as early as 1350). The charming neighborhood can also be loaded with culinary pleasures. You can get between Devonport and the Ports of Auckland through ferry; it’s solely a 10-to-15-minute experience.

Best Places to Stay in Devonport:

• BUDGET: Devonport Motel — Quirky and retro-cool, the Devonport Motel is a boutique property whose rooms will make you’re feeling like a neighborhood, with small kitchens, sofas, and personal courtyards. The location is true within the heart of all of it.
• MIDRANGE: Andelin Guest House — This stunning, high-ceilinged inn is laden with palm bushes and different tropical flora. The tasteful rooms have views of both the harbor, the backyard, or the town skyline. The property has a sunny terrace for stress-free, and there’s additionally complimentary contemporary fruit, espresso, and tea.
• LUXURY: The Esplanade Hotel — The iconic Esplanade is just like the face of the neighborhood. Since 1903, vacationers have been waking up right here. Rooms have espresso makers and upscale bathtub merchandise. Some rooms have views of the harbor. Carve out a while to linger within the atmospheric lodge bar.

Auckland might not be essentially the most thrilling metropolis in New Zealand, nevertheless it’s value spending just a few days exploring the cool museums, enjoyable nightlife, nice structure, stunning seashores, and top-notch eating places. There’s simply sufficient to maintain you busy right here for just a few days earlier than you progress on.