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 “Metropolis of Sails.”

Along with 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.

Residence to nearly two million folks (nearly 35% of the whole 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 take advantage of your go to (and that don’t spend all of your time in transit between neighborhoods), it’s essential to do a little analysis to determine one of the best place to remain whereas on this metropolis.

That can assist you determine the place to remain in Auckland, listed below are one of the best neighborhoods (in response to me) so you possibly can select the realm that fits your journey fashion and finances.

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

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

What’s one of the best neighborhood for purchasing?
Britomart is a brilliant, cheery a part of city full of indie boutiques and purchasing malls — good for individuals who wish to splurge on purchasing.

What’s one of the best neighborhood for foodies?
Identified regionally as “Okay-Highway,” Karangahape Highway is a enjoyable, up-and-coming neighborhood that’s house to quite a few nice eateries.

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

What’s one of the best 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 one of the best neighborhood general?
Central is an efficient spot for basing your self proper in the course of Auckland. It won’t have the attraction of Okay-Highway or Devonport, however you may get wherever from right here.

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

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

Because the title explicitly suggests, Central is correct within the coronary heart of all the pieces in Auckland. The enduring Sky Tower, inbuilt 1997 and standing over 328 meters (1,076 toes) tall, dominates all the pieces right here and likewise offers a outstanding view should 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. Briefly, 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: Alternative Backpackers — The dorm rooms at Alternative are massive and cozy, with first rate mattresses so you may get a superb evening’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 inexpensive and handy.
• MIDRANGE: The Albion — Inbuilt 1873, the Albion is a stunning, heat spot within the middle of city. The resort started as a “pub resort,” that means you would booze away downstairs earlier than retiring in adjoining rooms. As we speak there’s nonetheless a pleasant previous tavern within the resort, 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 means. 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.

The place to Keep in Auckland for Purchasing: Britomart

Britomart is known as for first the British ship that when navigated across the harbor right here in Auckland. Centrally situated and all the time buzzing with locals, the enticing 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 house to close by Industrial Bay, an enormous, new-ish shopping center. When you plan on purchasing (or simply wish to browse), that is one of the best neighborhood for you.

Greatest Locations to Keep in Britomart

• BUDGET: The Attic Backpackers — Voted 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 a wide range 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 comfortable, however one of the best perk is perhaps the view out of the floor-to-ceiling home windows. The resort 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 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.

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 — referred to as “Okay-Highway” — 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 should you journey by way of your abdomen, Okay-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 searching and people-watching.

Greatest Locations to Keep in Karangahape Highway:

• BUDGET: Newton Lodge — A snug and protected hostel within the middle of Okay-Highway, 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 visitors who wish to lower your expenses by cooking their very own meals.
• MIDRANGE: Ascotia Off Queen — This beautiful property gives spacious rooms with nice earth tones and a variety of pure gentle. The resort additionally has two-bedroom flats 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 Okay-Highway. The usual rooms are greater than common, and a few have beautiful 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.

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 will not be all simply surf and sand. The realm has Eat Avenue, a highway flanked by a large variety of eating places and bars, and there are additionally boutique outlets, 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 snug sufficient that the majority vacationers shall be comfy right here. Plus, there’s a heated swimming pool, a scorching 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 snug sufficient to please even a hardened traveler. There are numerous room varieties right here, together with some with Jacuzzi baths. The resort additionally contains a sauna, pool, and health club.
• 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 health club, a big swimming pool, and even a tennis court docket.

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 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 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 may 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 placement is correct within the middle of all of it.
• MIDRANGE: Andelin Visitor Home — 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 town skyline. The property has a sunny terrace for enjoyable, and there’s additionally complimentary recent fruit, espresso, and tea.
• LUXURY: The Esplanade Lodge — 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 resort bar.

Auckland is probably not essentially the most thrilling metropolis in New Zealand, but it surely’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.