Overview
Mövenpick's first Auckland hotel caused a stir when it opened earlier this year, taking an inner-city spot centrally located within stumbling distance of many of the CBD's bars and eateries. The latest offering from the Accor hotel group and the Swiss sweets brand's first site in New Zealand, the Mövenpick Auckland boasts 207 guestrooms and suites, a conference centre and a library.
Often travellers to the city are forced to choose between luxury, affordability and location when it comes to hotel stays, but this hotel impressed us with its attention to luxe detail and prime position — without charging an eye-watering price. That is, of course, unless you decide to go all out and book one of the premiere suites — including the pinnacle Mövenpick Suite which has an office nook, separate living and dining areas and that pinnacle of luxury, a television over the bathtub.
The hotel's major drawcard is its stunning views over Britomart and the newly renovated Quay Street precinct — now the orange cones and roadworks are mostly vacated, it's an epic view to be savoured.
Talking of being savoured... the hotel's signature restaurant BODA can be found above the penthouses on the top floor and by jingo, we love seeing a hotel utilise its views with a high-level restaurant. If you haven't heard of BODA yet, we're guessing that's probably soon to change. It's worth heading as early as possible to park yourself up in one of the giant armchairs with unmatched views over the city before heading to your table — and let one of the talented bar staff whip you up a delicious martini while you're there.
Dining-wise, BODA's menu has a heavy seafood lean, as you'd expect with its waterfront location. The standout is the Seafood Wellington, the chef's take on a classic Beef Wellington using, as the name suggests, a bevvy of kaimoana delights, including snapper and salmon.
To finish things off, you can't go past the ultimate in an indulgent dessert — possibly worth a stay alone — Movenpick's new chocolate fondue platter for four. It launched this month and is set to impress any group of four (or one extremely sweet-toothed single) thanks to its pot of decadent Swiss chocolate and a selection of fresh fruit, assorted nuts, biscuits, and marshmallows ready to be speared, dipped and enjoyed.
Haven't had enough sweets? No worries — the hotel has the chain's signature 24-hour sundae service (not to be confused with Kanye West's version) if you get a sudden ice cream hankering at 3am. Kids are allowed free unlimited ice cream for the duration of the stay, which is probably not something to announce too loudly in their vicinity.
If sweets aren't your thing and you've previously overlooked this inner-city accommodation offering, it's worth taking another look — Mövenpick Auckland offers so much more than just a sugar high.