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Boutique hotels in Auckland

Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland Overview

New Zealand

Cityscape
Handsome high-rise harbour
City Life
Boats, beaches, boutiques and bands

Surrounded by volcanic peaks and water, it’s hard to ignore the natural beauty of New Zealand’s largest city, situated on the North Island.

Beneath the shimmering surface, however, there’s something more: a young culture building an international reputation for design, the arts and the high life. The rest of the population of the country might regard Aucklanders as arrogant, but there’s no denying they've reason to be proud. From hot shopping to cool beaches, Maori culture, vineyard hopping, surfing and boating, the 'City of Sails' has the chutzpah of a capital city – even though its smaller rival Wellington actually wears that crown. Don't miss the surrounding Hauraki Gulf either, dotted with idyllic islands such as laid-back weekend haunt Waiheke.

Absolutely Auckland

Many cities around the world grow up in close proximity to volcanoes, but 50 of them? That’s how many make up the Auckland Volcanic Field, and not all of them are extinct. Rangitoto (www.rangitoto.org), off the city’s North Shore, was the last to erupt about 600 years ago, and you can walk to the island’s summit in about an hour. From there, hike right around the rim. Fullers (www.fullers.co.nz) has 20-minute ferry services – three or four daily – leaving from Auckland Ferry Terminal.

Local knowledge

Taxis
Hail one or head to a rank. If you’re travelling from your hotel or a restaurant, ask the concierge or maitre d’ to call one for you (particularly if it’s cold!). They’re not the cheapest way to get around the city but definitely one of the easiest. Auckland Co-Op Taxis (+64 9-300 3000; www.cooptaxi.co.nz) is a good bet.

Tipping culture
It’s by no means obligatory (although some places do add a service charge) and employees in the hospitality industry don’t rely on them as a source of income. Of course, if you experience excellent service a tip of five to 10 per cent is appreciated.

Siesta and Fiesta
Shops usually open between 9am and 5.30pm every day. Banking hours are 9.30am to 4.30pm during the week. Restaurant hours vary greatly, but don’t leave it too late to eat – some restaurants only take orders until 10pm or so. Bars and pubs normally open around noon and can go until late into the night, especially on the weekend.

Packing tips
Kiwis will tell you Neil Finn wrote the Crowded House hit Four Seasons in One Dayabout Auckland (actually, it’s about Melbourne) and that should give you a hint. Take something warm, something for a hot day, something for a glam night out, something for a day on a yacht.

Recommended reads
Witi Ihimaera, considered one of NZ’s greatest living writers, reimagines the country’s colonial history through Maori eyes in The Matriarch. Hibiscus Coast by Paula Morris is a fast-paced, fictional view of world of art forgery in Auckland and Shanghai.

Cuisine
Auckland is fiercely proud of its food and wine, and with reason. Best described as Pacific Rim fusion, the style of cuisine brings together elements from South-East Asia and the surrounding Pacific nations with Mediterranean and European traditions. What that means is that you can eat virtually any style of food you can dream of. Plus, the produce is first rate, much of it produced locally and using environmentally sustainable methods.

Regional specialities
The other huge attraction for gourmands is the proliferation of excellent wineries across New Zealand. Even close to Auckland, you can tour the vineyards of Matakana and Waiheke Island, where Bordeaux and Syrah styles are popular. Check out Te Whau (www.tewhau.com) or Stonyridge (www.mudbrick.co.nz) vineyards on Waiheke.

Currency
New Zealand dollars (NZ$)

Time zone
GMT +12 hours

Dialling codes
Country code for New Zealand: 64. Auckland: 09 (drop the zero if you’re dialling from overseas)

Do go/don't go
The warmer months (November to April) are perfect for enjoying life outdoors, though you should avoid the weeks after Christmas when NZ kids are on school holiday. June to August is the winter high season for ski bunnies on the South Island, so factor in a few days in Auckland to get an urban fix.

Don't go home without

A pair of Thunderpants (www.thunderpants.co.nz). These big undies, fashioned by a couple of gals who didn’t like what they could find elsewhere, come in fabulous, hand-printed fabrics. There are designs for men too, as well as kids' wear.