Auckland Hotel Tips by Kate-Me

Well, I wouldn't exactly call it our favourite accommodation, but we didn't arrive until 2 am, and we just wanted something cheap for the night - which it was, but I don't know the state of other hostels in Auckland to compare.

Our first impressions at 2 am: supposedly a double room but the bed was like a 1 1/2 single. Ripped lace curtains, shabby walls, corridor, and outdated bathroom facilities.
I won't say more - you get the idea.

And the worst bit was (and not their fault) was that they're building another building in front of the hotel, and the jack hammers and drills and graders started at 7 am a few hours later, and further sleep was impossible.

We did however have a view from our room of the Auckland Skytower, which made us feel a little bit better (when it stopped teeming with rain long enough for us to see it properly, which wasn't for another full 24 hours).

The best part (and maybe only) good thing about this hotel is that it has its own restaurant downstairs, plenty of tourist info brochures so you don't need to immediately head to the Information Centre, and booking desk for tours and accommodation.
This part of the service was absolutely fantastic and i can't rate them highly enough.

We hadn't realized that 2 nights after our stay in Auckland, it was a long weekend and the town where we'd be would be likely to be booked out....the 2 booking staff spent 40 MINUTES phoning around not just that city but 2 others as well, searching for accom for us, and finally got us some, so we were extremely grateful.

Unique Qualities: The restaurant seems good, though we didn't try it. Convenient anyway, as it's a fair walk down Queen Street to a part which isn't as run down as this end, where there are nice restaurants and takeaways, etc.
(this top end of Queen St we were in, really needs a 3 block makeover or something).

Otherwise, Queen St is one of the main Streets of Auckland.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Address: 411 Queen Street, , Auckland
Directions: top of Queen Street (uphill from the Wharf)

We paid $60 dbl for their basic cabin, which actually included quite a bit, though it didn't have it's own bathroom (delux cabins $90).
We still had a kettle, toaster & handbasin, and a table and chairs too, which we didn't often have in budget cabins as we travelled around on our 10 day trip.

Tv room, glassed in dining room off kitchen. Quite good toilet/shower block, cleane, fully tiled.

Unique Qualities: One of the best features, was that there was a heated swimming pool (free).
There was also a spa (approx $8 per ½ hour).
Great & enormous kitchen with central island with 8 stove burners on it, spaced out for maximum of users - very good design.

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Theme: Campground
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: +64 9 418-2578
Address: 52 Northcote Road, Takapuna
Directions: On the North Shore (before crossing the harbour bridge)
Website: Website: http://www.nsmotels.co.nz/