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 most important and most subtle city space in New Zealand (although it’s not the capital), is nicknamed the “Metropolis of Sails.”

Along with 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.

House to nearly two million individuals (nearly 35% of all the inhabitants of New Zealand), Auckland has a plethora of vibrant, colourful neighborhoods. And because the foremost 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 very best place to remain whereas on this metropolis.

That will help you resolve the place to remain in Auckland, listed here are the very best neighborhoods (based on me) so you may select the realm that fits your journey type and finances.

However, first, listed here are some widespread questions I get requested about Auckland neighborhoods:

What’s the very best neighborhood for first-time guests?
Central (or Downtown) is residence to the long-lasting Sky Tower, the Auckland Artwork Gallery, and several other nice eating places. Because the identify implies, it’s a handy, centrally situated space.

What’s the very best neighborhood for buying?
Britomart is a vivid, cheery a part of city stuffed with indie boutiques and buying malls — good for individuals who wish to splurge on buying.

What’s the very best neighborhood for foodies?
Recognized domestically as “Ok-Highway,” Karangahape Road is a enjoyable, up-and-coming neighborhood that’s residence to quite a few nice eateries.

What’s the very best neighborhood for seashores?
Positioned on Auckland’s north shore, Takapuna is a world away from the bustle of the town. The lengthy stretches of seaside listed here are fantastic.

What’s the very best neighborhood for historical past buffs?
With a protracted historical past and many Maori heritage, Devonport is a pleasant place to base your self.

What’s the very best neighborhood general?
Central is an effective spot for basing your self proper in the midst of Auckland. It may not have the attraction of Ok-Highway or Devonport, however you may get anyplace from right here.

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

The place to Keep in Auckland for First-Time Guests: Central

Because the identify explicitly suggests, Central is true within the coronary heart of the whole lot in Auckland. The enduring Sky Tower, inbuilt 1997 and standing over 328 meters (1,076 toes) tall, dominates the whole lot right here and in addition offers a outstanding view in the event you go as much as the highest. The Auckland Artwork 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.

Greatest Locations to Keep in Central:

• BUDGET: Choice Backpackers — The dorm rooms at Selection are giant and cozy, with first rate mattresses so you may get a superb 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 inexpensive and handy.
• MIDRANGE: The Albion — Inbuilt 1873, the Albion is a beautiful, heat spot within the heart of city. The lodge started as a “pub lodge,” which means you would booze away downstairs earlier than retiring in adjoining rooms. Right this moment there’s nonetheless a pleasant outdated 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 absolute best means. This 452-room lodge has a hovering foyer, and the inviting visitor rooms are giant and bedecked with earth tones. The in-house Japanese restaurant serves up tasty eats as nicely.

The place to Keep in Auckland for Buying: Britomart

Britomart is called for first the British ship that after navigated across the harbor right here in Auckland. Centrally situated and at all times buzzing with locals, the engaging district options streets flanked by boutique style retailers, the place you may snag gadgets made by native designers after which get a caffeine increase at a third-wave espresso spot. It’s additionally residence to close by Business Bay, an enormous, new-ish shopping center. Should you plan on buying (or simply wish to browse), that is the very best neighborhood for you.

Greatest Locations to Keep 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 presents 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 widespread room for while you simply wish to relax and meet different vacationers.
• MIDRANGE: The Grand by SkyCity — The rooms at this glossy lodge are spacious and comfortable, however the very best perk may be the view out of the floor-to-ceiling home windows. The lodge has a swimming pool, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, 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 outfitted with a plus-sized flat-screen TV, plush robes, and Le Labo tub merchandise.

The place to in Auckland for Foodies: Karangahape Highway

The standard go-to neighborhood for meals lovers has lengthy been Ponsonby, however adjoining Karangahape Highway — often called “Ok-Highway” — is the up-and-coming space wherein to stay your fork into Auckland. A legion of cooks have gravitated right here to open wonderful eateries, so in the event you journey by way of your abdomen, Ok-Highway 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 shopping and people-watching.

Greatest Locations to Keep in Karangahape Highway:

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

The place to in Auckland for Seashores: Takapuna

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

However Takapuna just isn’t all simply surf and sand. The world has Eat Avenue, a highway flanked by a large range 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.

Greatest Locations to Keep 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 comfy sufficient that almost all vacationers shall be relaxed right here. Plus, there’s a heated swimming pool, a sizzling tub, a barbecue space, and free parking.
• MIDRANGE: Carnmore Takapuna — Proper within the coronary heart of all of it, Carnmore is a sublime property that’s comfy sufficient to please even a hardened traveler. There are numerous room sorts right here, together with some with Jacuzzi baths. The lodge additionally incorporates a sauna, pool, and gymnasium.
• LUXURY: The Spencer — This high-rise lodge has giant, 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 lodge has a totally outfitted gymnasium, a big swimming pool, and even a tennis courtroom.

The place to in Auckland for Historical past Lovers: Devonport

Positioned in north Auckland and throughout the water from the Ports of Auckland, Devonport is a captivating 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 constructions (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 will get between Devonport and the Ports of Auckland by way of ferry; it’s solely a 10-to-15-minute trip.

Greatest Locations to Keep in Devonport:

• BUDGET: Devonport Motel — Quirky and retro-cool, the Devonport Motel is a boutique property whose rooms will make you are feeling like an area, with small kitchens, sofas, and personal courtyards. The situation 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 enduring 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 lodge bar.

Auckland will 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.