This five star hotel right in the heart of Auckland has become something of an epicentre of entertainment for New Zealand’s biggest city. It’s just one component of the massive SKYCITY entertainment precinct which covers nearly two blocks and includes the SKYCITY Grand Hotel, its four and a half star sibling SKYCITY Hotel, a casino, 18 restaurants and bars and the 328 metre Sky Tower which dominates the Auckland city skyline. 

The Rooms

The SKYCITY Grand’s 316 rooms are spacious and feature new fittings and furnishings and with many enjoying views out to the Sky Tower and the harbour it’s very “Sex and the City”. There are five different categories of suites: Luxury King Room, Luxury Twin Room, Superior Suite King, Premier Self Contained Suite and the Grand Suite. Even the so-called “basic” Luxury King Room is a decent size with a king size bed and all feature pretty much the same style of dècor with blonde wood panelling and tables, beige carpets, chocolate and red bed coverings, plush brown chairs and soft modern lighting which is adjustable to whatever you like. Bathrooms are large and modern and all have separate bath and shower and as you’d expect from a hotel of this quality, there’s bathrobes, tea and coffee making, good flat screen TV’s and broadband access (at an extra cost). We were upgraded to the Grand Suite which is bigger than the average one bedroom unit and has stunning views over Waitemata Harbour from the 21st floor. You walk in to the expansive living room and dining room and the first thing you notice is the sense of space and large windows, and the next thing you notice is that someone is jumping off the Sky Tower right outside the window - bungee jumping, fortunately. It’s an immediate “wow” factor that lets you know you’ve arrived in Auckland in no uncertain terms. From there you walk into the suite’s study room with all the latest fittings and then into the bedroom with views over the whole city and right behind is the fantastic double bathroom with two separate “his and hers” showers. There’s also a guest bathroom and a butler’s pantry which is basically a fully equipped kitchen with all the mod cons including a dishwasher and large fridge. The highlight of these rooms through - the beds. Absolutely heavenly.

Dining

Of the 18 restaurants and bars, all of which offer something a little different, dine by Peter Gordon is perhaps the most lauded of all the establishments in SKYCITY. Gordon has created a restaurant with a unique blend of Asian, Pacific and classic European cuisine with some of the best New Zealand wines. Their degustation menu is what makes this restaurant one of the highest rated eateries in the country. Orbit is the restaurant that’s in the revolving restaurant in the Sky Tower and it rotates 360 degrees every hour. It’s one of those experiences that has to be done at least once. The Observatory is also in the Sky Tower and perhaps the ultimate experience here is The Glass Room which is the highest private dining room in Auckland. Jade Dragon does traditional Cantonese and yum cha, while Bellota is a Spanish-inspired bar and restaurant which regularly wins awards as the best tapas bar in Auckland. Of the many SKYCITY bars, X.O. is the most elegant and it’s become something of a institution in Auckland and this is where you can sample the finest wines and spirits in a unique and sophisticated environment. The bar called “twentyone” is described as “Vegas meets Monte Carlo” and it’s a bit more over the top than X.O. and generally has a livelier crowd looking to party late.  

Other Facilities

The SYCITY Casino Auckland is the main attraction in this complex and there are more than two levels with more than 1,600 gaming machines and more than 100 tables, covering pretty much every game. The casino competes with the Sky Tower for all the attention and there are two ways to really enjoy this architectural icon. The SkyJump is the bungee experience right off the top of the tower and for those chicken-hearted types you can opt for the SkyWalk where you walk around the edge of the top of the tower, while tethered of course. At ground level there the SKYCITY Theatre which has musicals, drama, comedy and even the odd magic show.

The Verdict

From the moment you check in with the attentive staff while a pianist plays live in the background, you realise this is not your typical casino hotel with heavy handed furnishings and over-the-top colours and designs, it’s a contemporary and modern accommodation which is the perfect way to start or finish a travel experience in New Zealand.