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

Residence to virtually two million folks (virtually 35% of your entire inhabitants of New Zealand), Auckland has a plethora of vibrant, colourful neighborhoods. And because the predominant airport hub within the nation, that is the place most vacationers begin their journey.

To make sure you benefit 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 one of the best place to remain whereas on this metropolis.

That will help you determine the place to remain in Auckland, listed here are one of the best neighborhoods (in accordance with me) so you’ll be able to select the world that fits your journey fashion and finances.

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

What’s one of the 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 title implies, it’s a handy, centrally positioned space.

What’s one of the best neighborhood for purchasing?
Britomart is a vivid, cheery a part of city full of indie boutiques and purchasing malls — excellent for many who need to splurge on purchasing.

What’s one of the best neighborhood for foodies?
Recognized regionally as “Okay-Highway,” Karangahape Road is a enjoyable, up-and-coming neighborhood that’s residence to various nice eateries.

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

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

What’s one of the best neighborhood total?
Central is an effective spot for basing your self proper in the midst of Auckland. It won’t have the appeal of Okay-Highway or Devonport, however you will get anyplace from right here.

So, with these questions answered, right here’s a breakdown of every neighborhood, with instructed lodging, so you understand 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 true within the coronary heart of all the things in Auckland. The enduring Sky Tower, inbuilt 1997 and standing over 328 meters (1,076 toes) tall, dominates all the things right here and in addition gives a exceptional view when 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 lots to see and do on this space. It’s additionally a handy hub to go to different corners of city.

Finest Locations to Keep in Central:

• BUDGET: Choice Backpackers — The dorm rooms at Alternative are giant and comfy, with respectable mattresses so you will get an excellent 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 heart of all of it, making it each inexpensive and handy.
• MIDRANGE: The Albion — Inbuilt 1873, the Albion is a stunning, heat spot within the heart of city. The lodge started as a “pub lodge,” which means you could possibly booze away downstairs earlier than retiring in adjoining rooms. Immediately there’s nonetheless a pleasant outdated tavern within the lodge, and it’s price spending a while there to absorb the historic ambiance.
• LUXURY: Grand Millennium — The Grand Millennium is a behemoth, however in the absolute best approach. 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 effectively.

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 positioned and all the time buzzing with locals, the engaging district options streets flanked by boutique vogue outlets, the place you’ll be able to 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 Industrial Bay, an enormous, new-ish shopping center. For those who plan on purchasing (or simply need to browse), that is one of the best neighborhood for you.

Finest 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 provides quite a lot of sleeping choices, together with single- and double-bed personal rooms and dorms. There’s additionally a properly geared up kitchen and an lively widespread room for while you simply need to relax and meet different vacationers.
• MIDRANGE: The Grand by SkyCity — The rooms at this modern lodge are spacious and cozy, however one of the 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 health club, and a whopping 14 eating places and bars, so that you gained’t should go very far when 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 geared up with a plus-sized flat-screen TV, plush robes, and Le Labo tub merchandise.

The place to in Auckland for Foodies: Karangahape Highway

The normal go-to neighborhood for meals lovers has lengthy been Ponsonby, however adjoining Karangahape Highway — often known as “Okay-Highway” — is the up-and-coming space by which to stay your fork into Auckland. A legion of cooks have gravitated right here to open glorious eateries, so when 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 excellent for searching and people-watching.

Finest Locations to Keep in Karangahape Highway:

• BUDGET: Newton Lodge — A snug and secure hostel within the heart of Okay-Highway, Newton Lodge provides cozy six-bed dorm rooms in addition to female-only dorms. The mattresses are thick and tender, and every mattress has {an electrical} outlet close by. Newton additionally has a big kitchen for friends who need to get monetary savings by cooking their very own meals.
• MIDRANGE: Ascotia Off Queen — This pretty property provides spacious rooms with nice earth tones and a variety of pure mild. The lodge additionally has two-bedroom flats for households or these touring in teams.
• LUXURY: Cordis — Comfy and stately, Cordis is without doubt one of the most luxurious spots to put your head on Okay-Highway. The usual rooms are larger than common, and a few have pretty views of the Auckland skyline, together with the long-lasting Sky Tower; the marble bogs 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 looks like one million miles from the relative bustle of Auckland. However it’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 Road, 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.

Finest 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 primary however snug sufficient that the majority vacationers will likely be relaxed 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 lodge additionally incorporates a sauna, pool, and health club.
• 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 geared up health club, a big swimming pool, and even a tennis court docket.

The place to in Auckland for Historical past Lovers: Devonport

Situated 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 will likely 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 journey.

Finest Locations to Keep 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 situation is true within the heart 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 town skyline. The property has a sunny terrace for enjoyable, and there’s additionally complimentary recent 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, however it’s price 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.