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 New Zealand, that mystical far-flung twin-island in the
Southern waters of the South Pacific, has always held an air of charm,
magic, and mystery to even the most intrepid of travelers. By its pure
geography, it is not a place that alone, one stops by or connects
through. New Zealand, as an international destination, requires a
certain commitment, and its history is steeped in that same sense of
adventure. Originally a British colonial settlement discovered by a
division of its well-traveled fleet in the middle of the nineteenth
century, it is now the capital hub of a gorgeous island nation that is
increasingly drawing more and more people to see its incredible
landscapes, culture, and architecture. As far as accommodations in
Auckland go, no hotel stands out quite like the Hilton, a two-tower,
nautically themed architectural masterpiece located at the end of
Prince’s Wharf, offering guests incredible views of Auckland’s inner
harbour. As a home base for exploring this amazing city, or as a taking
off point to some of the terrific remote destinations on both islands,
the Hilton is your best quarters for your stay in the ‘City of
Sails,’ so named for the ubiquitous presence of yacht that bob about
in the twin harbours and out to the adjoining Hauraki Gulf.
With 166 rooms including six suites in this contemporary,
boutique-style hotel, accommodations are ultra-chic and extravagantly
stylish. Clean lines and sharp, neutral colours dominate the design of
the room. White linens preserve the nautical theme, while custom woven
carpets and local timber finishes on furnishings are well-accented by
the broad windows that lead out to a private balcony. Along with office
facilities that include data ports and high-speed internet connection,
in-room safe, and satellite television with pay movies, rooms here at
the Auckland Hilton are equal parts stylish bedroom, casual lounge, and
home office. With the salty breeze, and the sounds of the sea and the
bustle of downtown off your private porch, it’s like living abroad in
a stunning loft-style apartment. The Junior suites on the lower floors,
uniquely triangular in shape, look as though they belong in an Architectural
Digest feature, with an adjacent parlour and floor-to-ceiling
windows looking out onto the Auckland harbour.
With such attention paid to pure and simple elegance, it is
no surprise that the ethos of the Hilton’s award-winning White restaurant
follows these same clean design policies. Architect Dan Kwan of Tribeca, a prestigious
design firm based out of Singapore, has called White its own
blank canvas. It is the patrons, and the culinary creations of Executive
Chef Geoff Scott, who has taken his classical training and adapted it to
highlight the fresh simplicity of local New Zealand ingredients, which
paint the blank slate for the night. With the broad windows, clean
lines, bright natural lighting, and the ever-changing hue of the sea, White
can appear almost unrecognizable to a guest from one night to the next.
Anchors of style include the white marble-clad floors, the timber
accents, and the striking six metre-long white alabaster marble Long
Table that defines the room, often seating couples and singles who might
wish to mix, or larger groups.
 While the fare and the crowd
changes, the style of the room and the quality of cuisine is a mainstay.
A perfectly pan-seared salmon fillet rests atop a warm and rich tomato,
olive, and cucumber salad in one dish, while char-grilled quail is
amazingly lifted by pink grapefruit, cranberries, and a rose geranium
honey salad. Pastas on the diverse menu are especially good, among them
the field mushroom linguini with sharp, fresh watercress, coriander, and
parsley pesto. Desserts get the same attention as the savoury – brown
sugar pavlova and grilled pineapple are decadent standouts. Staff are
both attentive, cordial, and smartly dressed, in crisp white jackets,
testament to the all-inclusive excellence of a restaurant twice named New
Zealand’s best in the past three years. The same model of success
comes out in Bellini's
Bar as well, the Kwan-designed cocktail lounge that has become one of the
hottest nightspots in Auckland. With views of the Waitemata Harbour that
are unparalleled, Auckland’s most prominent professionals and
international visitors congregate here to enjoy one of nine different
martinis, nearly 30 different brands of vodka and single malt whisky,
and of course the eponymous signature drink: champagne and peaches, made
famous long ago by Guiseppe Cipriani, founder and owner of the old Harry’s Bar in Venice.
The Auckland Hilton’s
recreational amenities may be limited (though the pool and fitness
facility are state-of-the-art), but Auckland is not the place to be
holed up indoors at the gym. Jogging along the Auckland boardwalk, or
merely wandering through the nearby America’s Cup Village, are far
more interesting ways to pass the time, and beyond the city borders are
a variety of exciting options for the intrepid traveler. Take a hike or
bike through the surrounding foothills, or merely wander casually
through the colourful cosmopolitan streets of this intriguing
metropolis. Once you make it to the other side of the world, beauty is
its own reward.
Where
to Stay
Hilton Auckland
- Princes Wharf, 147 Quay Street, Auckland, NZ - Tel: +64-9-9782000 Fax: +64-9-9782001
- http://www.auckland.hilton.com
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