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 unimaginable meals scene, insightful museums, verdant parks, third-wave espresso spots, and really welcoming locals.

Home to nearly two million folks (nearly 35% of your complete inhabitants of New Zealand), Auckland has a plethora of vibrant, colourful neighborhoods. And as the primary 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 necessary to perform a little research to determine the perfect place to remain whereas on this metropolis.

To assist you resolve the place to remain in Auckland, listed below are the perfect neighborhoods (in response to me) so you possibly can select the realm that fits your journey type and finances.

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

What’s the perfect neighborhood for first-time guests?
Central (or Downtown) is residence 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 positioned space.

What’s the perfect neighborhood for procuring?
Britomart is a brilliant, cheery a part of city crammed with indie boutiques and procuring malls — good for many who wish to splurge on procuring.

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

What’s the perfect 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 great.

What’s the perfect 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 perfect neighborhood total?
Central is an efficient spot for basing your self proper in the course of Auckland. It may not have the attraction of Ok-Road or Devonport, however you may get anyplace from right here.

So, with these questions answered, right here’s a breakdown of every neighborhood, with recommended lodging, so you already know 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 all the pieces in Auckland. The iconic Sky Tower, inbuilt 1997 and standing over 328 meters (1,076 ft) tall, dominates all the pieces right here and likewise supplies a outstanding view should 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 cozy, with respectable mattresses so you may get a great 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 middle of all of it, making it each reasonably priced and handy.
• MIDRANGE: The Albion — Built in 1873, the Albion is a stunning, heat spot within the middle of city. The resort started as a “pub hotel,” which means you may booze away downstairs earlier than retiring in adjoining rooms. Today there’s nonetheless a pleasant previous tavern within the resort, and it’s value spending a while there to soak up the historic ambiance.
• LUXURY: Grand Millennium — The Grand Millennium is a behemoth, however in the absolute best approach. This 452-room resort 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 nicely.

Where to Stay in Auckland for Shopping: Britomart

Britomart is known as for first the British ship that after navigated across the harbor right here in Auckland. Centrally positioned and all the time buzzing with locals, the engaging district options streets flanked by boutique vogue outlets, the place you possibly can snag gadgets made by native designers after which get a caffeine enhance at a third-wave espresso spot. It’s additionally residence to close by Commercial Bay, an enormous, new-ish shopping center. If you propose on procuring (or simply wish to browse), that is the perfect 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 outfitted kitchen and an lively frequent room for once you simply wish to relax and meet different vacationers.
• MIDRANGE: The Grand by SkyCity — The rooms at this glossy resort are spacious and cozy, however the perfect perk may be the view out of the floor-to-ceiling home windows. The resort has a swimming pool, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, and a whopping 14 eating places and bars, so that you gained’t need to go very far should 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 outfitted with a plus-sized flat-screen TV, plush robes, and Le Labo tub 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 — often known 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 wonderful eateries, so should you journey through your abdomen, Ok-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 searching and people-watching.

Best Places to Stay in Karangahape Road:

• BUDGET: Newton Lodge — A snug and secure hostel within the middle of Ok-Road, Newton Lodge gives cozy six-bed dorm rooms in addition to female-only dorms. The mattresses are thick and comfortable, and every mattress has {an electrical} outlet close by. Newton additionally has a big kitchen for visitors who wish to get monetary savings by cooking their very own meals.
• MIDRANGE: Ascotia Off Queen — This pretty property gives spacious rooms with nice earth tones and lots of pure gentle. The resort 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 Ok-Road. The customary rooms are larger than common, and a few have pretty views of the Auckland skyline, together with the enduring Sky Tower; the marble bogs 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 appears like one million 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 is just not all simply surf and sand. The space has Eat Street, a highway flanked by a large range of eating places and bars, and there are additionally boutique outlets, cafés, and artwork galleries to discover. Takapuna is actually 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 finances and fundamental however snug sufficient that almost all vacationers shall be comfy 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 chic property that’s snug sufficient to please even a hardened traveler. There are numerous room varieties right here, together with some with Jacuzzi baths. The resort additionally includes a sauna, pool, and gymnasium.
• LUXURY: The Spencer — This high-rise resort 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 tub merchandise. The resort has a totally outfitted gymnasium, a big swimming pool, and even a tennis court docket.

Where to in Auckland for History Lovers: Devonport

Located in north Auckland and throughout the water from the Ports of Auckland, Devonport is an enchanting a part of city that’s wealthy in historical past and Maori heritage. Lovers of Victorian structure shall be dazzled by its charming Nineteenth-century buildings (this was one of many first areas of city that was settled; Maori had 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 an area, with small kitchens, sofas, and personal courtyards. The location is true within the middle of all of it.
• MIDRANGE: Andelin Guest House — This lovely, 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 tub merchandise. Some rooms have views of the harbor. Carve out a while to linger within the atmospheric resort bar.

Auckland might not be probably the most thrilling metropolis in New Zealand, nevertheless it’s value spending just a few days exploring the cool museums, enjoyable nightlife, nice structure, lovely 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.