Stayed: June 2017 (2 nights)
Room: Deluxe Room
Overall Rating: 7/10
Price Range: $$$ NZD$169 a night
I stayed at the lovely Amora Hotel while I was up in Auckland for work. Usually I don’t do reviews for accommodation in New Zealand but I thought there may be some readers on here that will benefit from it when they visit ole’ Kiwiland.
The chain of Amora Hotels have hotels in Australia, New Zealand and Thailand. I’ve only ever stayed at one in New Zealand (Auckland) however we do have one where I live (in Wellington) Don’t expect to stay at the Wellington one any time soon though – they’ve closed down for a year so they can do a full refurbishment. Opening again in 2018*
I stayed at the Amora Hotel in Auckland for two nights and would probably stay again. The reason I chose this hotel was because 1. It was in my company’s price range and 2. It was close to the company’s head office where I was doing my training.
When I went to check in, the front desk staff were nice but they didn’t really go out of their way to show me where my room was or anything. I guess they are only a 4-Star hotel so I can’t be too fussy.
My room was on the 6th floor and as one of the cheapest rooms, it was quite nice! It was spacious, the bed was one of those typical two king singles pushed together to make a nice big King bed (without the crack in the middle may I add) and the bathroom was tidy, even though a bit small. I also had two comfy-ish chairs with a small table and a small kitchenette near the entranceway with a stove-top, fridge and microwave oven. Surprisingly there was a washer/drier in a closet too so it was perfect for a long-term stayer. However, as your key card slides into the slot on the wall in your room to turn on your power I’m not sure how you’ll leave the washer going when you go out for the day.
Pros:
- Big spacious rooms
- Nice smelling toiletries (I’m that person who always takes them when I leave!!)
- Great shower pressure
- Comfy bed
- Sky TV (certain channels only)
- Restaurant downstairs
- Daily housekeeping
- Free newspaper
- Close to the main CBD
- Good selection of room-service food
- Washer/Drier in room
- Small kitchen with stove-top & utensils
- Balcony
Cons:
- Gym was absolute shit
- Just being that little bit too far from the city, very easy to walk to the city but walking back you’d probably want to Uber as you go up a slight hill. *Lazy right here!*
- Dessert menu finishing at 10pm *Cries*
As you can see, I didn’t have too many con’s with this hotel. Yes the staff could be a little friendlier, they weren’t rude as such but to get a higher rating *in my book* the staff have really got to make an effort. Even when I checked out on my last day the front desk staff didn’t even ask how my stay was. They just billed me for the dessert I had one night and then sent me on my way. I felt I was ‘just another customer’ to them. Being in the travel industry and them knowing that you’d think they’d at least ask if I enjoyed myself!
The big thing for me that made me rate them only 7 out of 10 was THE GYM!!
My god, I don’t think you could even call it a gym. I know people don’t work out on holiday but when you’re at a hotel for business you kind of want to keep you daily schedule.
I walked all the way into the city on my first night, had dinner with some friends and was going to go to my usual gym (as they had a club in Auckland too) however I thought I’d give the hotel gym a try without checking it out first. What a mistake that was! I’d even looked online at their pictures and the gym looked fine. They were very deceiving pictures let me tell you.
I took the hotel lift to the basement (which was where all the cars were parked) then walked across to this little dark room that had a sign ‘Gym’ written on the door. I turned the lights on and sitting in front of me was an old rower (with the seat all wobbly) an ancient bike and one of those ‘all-in-one’ weight machines basically all crammed together into a tiny cold room. I legit sat on the rower, hopped off and went back to my room where I did a youtube video workout on abs.
I’ve had a look on Google and the above picture is what they show on their website as their gym. The don’t even have a treadmill and they’re not arranged in that order either so it’s all lies!
Like I said, I was only staying for two nights so it wasn’t really a massive deal but just a heads up for anyone who’s planning on staying and wants a great workout you’re not gonna get one.
I didn’t have a swim in the pool, let alone see it at all (as it was dark when I got back) but there is one which I think would be great in the Summer-time. They also have The Grill Restaurant on the main level but I never got around to eating there. I had a lovely dessert delivered to my room on the first night though which I devoured while I had a bath #hotelife but I never got the chance to try out the dinner or breakfast they had to offer.
Overall, apart from the gym it was a pretty good stay. This hotel is central in the Auckland CBD but not so central that when you walk out the door you have restaurants and shops on your door step. It’s good as it’s not so loud at night like some other Auckland hotels but more annoying if you want to go to the Viaduct (where all the good nightlife is) you’d have to take a short taxi or walk for 15 minutes to get to see Auckland’s main attraction – the Sky Tower.
All pictures are property of www.amorahotels.com/hotels/amora-hotel-auckland
Stayed: September 2015 for 3 Nights & A further 4 nights after my tour
I’ll start off by saying that i absolutely LOVE New York.
It really doesn’t feel cramped at the hostel either. When I arrived, I had to wait in line for awhile to check-in as everyone seemed to be doing it at the same time but there was never any problem with over-crowding or everyone getting in your way as you’d think would be the problem with nearly 700 people staying there.
What I loved about this hostel is the atmosphere. They really want people to get to know one another so they host twice-weekly Welcome Parties in the patio area (with either a $6 BBQ or Live Band) and then you can go and experience the nightlife with one of the hostel leaders and 50 of your new friends. They also do free beer some nights (However as I don’t drink beer I went across the road to the liquor store and bought some other alcohol – Which I think isn’t quite allowed but you maaaay be able to get away with)
If drinking isn’t really your thing, they have things like Salsa Tuesdays, Ice-Skating in Central Park (Seasonal), Magic and Comedy shows in the theater and day-tours which you can sign up for.
I bought my first pair of Levi Jeans.
I went for a run through Central Park, people-watched and saw Squirrels!
ThePassportPrincess 