SO/Auckland

Hotel review

Before even stepping through the glass doors of this hotel, you can tell it's serious about design with a capital D. Flanked by two enormous stone lions, and with a copper-coloured Bentley limo, with personalised number plate, parked to one side, it certainly makes a statement. The vast ground floor serves as reception, bar and lounge with a cool nightclub vibe – black textured walls, black-and-white marble-effect floor, sofas and armchairs in shades of black, purple and copper, and a stop-you-in-your-tracks chandelier that’s as much art installation as light-giver.

Formerly the Reserve Bank of New Zealand – there’s a spa in the basement’s former vault - the hotel was opened in 2018 with interiors by Dutch design company Moooi (known for their lighting fixtures) together with a local fashion designer. There’s a subtle influence of money throughout the hotel – shades of copper, gold and brass - together with references to the country’s volcanic landscape. In the bedrooms, for example – with their floor-to-ceiling windows - copper and burnt orange feature in in the gauzy curtains, bedheads and chairs; carpets have a lava-like design, a 3-D piece of art on the walls has crater-like circles while bathrooms are stone-grey affairs with shiny gold basins. All have egg shaped baths with a wooden tray designed to hold a wine glass; neat. Bathrooms, however, may not be to all tastes; most open out of the bedroom with only a sliding opaque-glass door allowing privacy in the loo. Still, if you’re on a higher floor – bedrooms stretch up to the 14^th floor – the views are terrific.

They’re even better from the 16^th-floor roof-top bar which looks out over the harbour and the comings and goings of ferries and cruise ships. Here, chill out amongst the cool crowd with a refreshing cocktail before moving down a floor to the restaurant for dinner. The menu majors on fish – such as Mount Cook salmon and BBQ octopus – and wood-fired grilled dishes, such as wagyu beef and rack of lamb. Presentation and service are classy without being fussy.

Breakfast’s huge buffet requires time to enjoy: from Bircher muesli to smoothies, focaccia to brownies; a full grill to charcuterie; plus, omelettes made to order. Make sure you’re early enough to grab that window table.

Helen Pickles