InterContinental Auckland

InterContinental Auckland: A Michelin Key Selected Waterfront Luxury

The InterContinental Auckland, a recipient of the prestigious Michelin Key, stands as a beacon of modern luxury on the city's vibrant waterfront. Guests consistently praise its prime location, sophisticated design, exceptional service, and superb dining experiences. The hotel's commitment to excellence in architecture and interior design, quality of service, unique personality, value, and significant contribution to the local community are all factors recognized by the Michelin Guide.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for InterContinental Auckland is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "fantastic," "exceptional," and "one of the best hotels they've ever stayed at." It is considered a top-tier luxury accommodation, offering a refined and comfortable experience.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several aspects of the InterContinental Auckland:

• Location: The hotel's position directly on the Auckland waterfront, within the CBD and Commercial Bay, is frequently highlighted as unbeatable. It offers stunning harbor views and easy access to the ferry terminal, cruise port, countless restaurants, shops, and attractions like the Britomart Train Station and Spark Arena.
• Design & Aesthetics: The hotel boasts a modern, sleek, and refined design with warm wood tones, soft lighting, and floor-to-ceiling windows that maximize natural light and offer impressive views. Guests appreciate the cohesive design theme, often featuring a mix of wood and marble in furniture, and thoughtful touches like woven wall panels (whariki) by the Ngati Whatua Orakei collective, adding a uniquely Kiwi touch. The lobby is described as modern and welcoming, exuding a calm atmosphere without being overly formal.
• Service: The staff are consistently lauded as super friendly, professional, attentive, and exceptionally accommodating, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience. Valet service is often noted for its efficiency upon arrival.
• Amenities: Thoughtful amenities include Byredo toiletries, filtered water stations on each floor, and in-room De'Longhi espresso machines. The hotel also emphasizes eco-friendly practices, such as providing sleek glass carafes instead of single-use plastic water bottles. For those with Club InterContinental access, an exclusive lounge offers a quieter setting with quality food and beverage offerings throughout the day.

3. Room Quality

Rooms at the InterContinental Auckland are described as modern, spacious, and extremely comfortable.

• Comfort: King beds with crisp linens and plush pillows are consistently praised for their comfort, contributing to a restful sleep. Soundproofing is also excellent, ensuring a quiet stay despite the central location.
• Design: The design is modern and refined, featuring warm wood tones, soft lighting, and floor-to-ceiling windows, often with stunning harbor views. Technology in the rooms is good, with features like automatic blinds that rise upon entry and close upon exit to regulate temperature, and motion-sensor floor lights in the separate toilet area. Bathrooms are sleek and functional, some featuring walk-in rain showers and glossy brown subway tiles.
• Space: Even entry-level rooms feel far from basic, offering a spacious layout that can include a seating nook and a well-lit workspace.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's signature restaurant, Advieh, is a major highlight, renowned for its bold fusion of Middle Eastern flavors crafted by partner chef Gareth Stewart.

• Breakfast: The breakfast at Advieh is frequently described as "fantastic," "exceptional," and "top-notch." It typically offers both a buffet (featuring fresh fruit, yogurt, breads, and a live egg bar) and an à la carte menu with delicious options like shakshuka. The quality of ingredients and presentation are highly rated, with coffee also receiving praise.
• Other Dining: Advieh serves as both a restaurant and bar, offering a gorgeous fit-out and an outdoor deck. A Queens Rooftop Bar is also open, offering insane views and a good selection of drinks and food, though it can be pricier.

5. Service & Staff

The service at InterContinental Auckland is consistently highlighted as a standout.

• Hospitality: Staff are frequently described as friendly, professional, attentive, and highly accommodating, making the guest experience personal and polished from check-in to check-out. Concierge services are excellent, going above and beyond to assist guests with requests.
• Efficiency: Check-in and check-out are handled smoothly and efficiently, and housekeeping is noted for keeping rooms immaculate.

6. Location & Accessibility

The InterContinental Auckland boasts an "unbeatable location" in the heart of Auckland's Central Business District (CBD), right on the Waitematā Harbour.

• Neighborhood: It is nestled within Commercial Bay, providing immediate access to a plethora of retail shops and diverse dining options, including a large food court.
• Attractions: Guests can easily walk to Viaduct Harbour, the ferry terminal (ideal for day trips to the Hauraki Gulf islands), and the cruise port. The Britomart train station is also conveniently located nearby for broader transport.
• Transport: The hotel is well-connected for public transport, with bus lines servicing surrounding streets and Britomart station close by. For those driving, valet parking is available for NZD 70 per night, or self-parking at the nearby Downtown Car Park is an option. The hotel entrance does not have a large driveway, but staff quickly assist with luggage curbside.

7. Value & Pricing

The InterContinental Auckland is considered a luxury hotel with pricing to match, yet many guests feel it offers good value for the exceptional experience.

• Price Range: Cash rates can vary from approximately $220–600 USD. More specifically, a standard room might be just under $400 NZD, a room with a killer view just under $500 NZD, and a suite with a harbor lookout around $780 NZD.
• Worth the Cost: For special occasions or a luxurious stay, guests generally find it worth the cost, especially when utilizing programs like AmEx Fine Hotels + Resorts which can include benefits like complimentary breakfast and hotel credits, effectively reducing the out-of-pocket expense. IHG One Rewards points can also be used, with rates ranging from 32,000 to 120,000 points per night depending on the season.

8. Common Complaints

While generally highly rated, some minor criticisms and issues have been noted by guests:

• Initial Amenities/Construction: Early reviews mentioned a temporary lack of some amenities like a gym (which has since opened) and limited in-room dining hours. Some guests also experienced construction noise during the day in the early months of operation, typically between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm.
• Bathroom Design: A few guests noted a dearth of towel rails and lack of a shelf for shampoo in the shower. The fogged glass divider between the shower and bedroom, while a trendy design choice, may not be preferred by all, especially those sharing a room with friends rather than a partner.
• Dining Consistency: While breakfast is consistently excellent, some initial feedback on dinner at Advieh suggested that the quality and pacing of dishes could vary, and prices were on the higher side.
• Parking: The hotel's parking situation has been mentioned as somewhat inconvenient, with a small lane for drop-off and a charge for valet parking.
• Noise: Despite good soundproofing, one guest on the 8th floor noted hearing a solitary car on Quay Street early in the morning, which, while not disruptive to their sleep, might be a factor for extremely light sleepers.

Sources

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