Any Auckland NZ Mumsnetters about please?

[Houseplantmad]

We are unexpectedly spending two days in Auckland next Monday and Tuesday after travelling from the UK so I need to book some accommodation. What’s the best area to stay in please? There seem to be a lot of places in the CBD - any good? It’d be good to be near a beach but also able to get to and from the airport for early morning flights in the Wednesday. Recommendations gratefully received.

Bump

Hello and welcome! Lots of places will be closed on Monday (Boxing Day) and Tuesday (Christmas Day holiday being observed), so the CBD may be quite quiet. However, you could walk along the harbour, walk up to Ponsonby Road, take an Uber to St Heliers / Kohimarama for the beach, or take the ferry (if running) to Devonport/Cheltenham beach. Public transport is likely to be quite limited due to the public holidays, so Uber may be your best bet.... Our CBD isn't great, but it is central to a lot of other spots so if there is plentiful accommodation, it isn't the worse place too be! Sorry to no be more help... Auckland and its CBD empties out during the summer holidays (most corporate offices shut for 2-3 weeks over Christmas), so you'll definitely see a different side to it!

When you say early morning, how early?

I’m not in NZ anymore, but anywhere in the CBD will almost always be good for accommodation, but I wouldn’t say it’s a place to stay for early morning flights, In a taxi about 30/40 mins, probably less next week as traffic shouldn’t be so busy. A lot longer on the airport bus (if it’s still around)

The Viaduct Harbour is bustling, bars, restaurants gorgeous views and being the CBD lots of office workers, not sure how bustling with people next week as a lot of people will be off over Christmas. Hospitality will be in full swing though.

If you like walking you can easily walk along Tamaki Drive round the bays to Mission Bay from the CBD, its a lovely walk/run, there will be plenty of people out.

If you stay in the city then consider a ferry over to Devonport, explore the tunnels of North Head (take a torch/use phone torches).
The CBD has a lot of construction going on at the moment so check if your accommodation is affected for access/noise.

There is always Takapuna to stay in. It's just over the harbour bridge, has the Spencer on Byron Hotel (basic pool and gym, interconnecting rooms and suites, on-site restaurant and bar), and is the area is beach side with quite a few restaurants and bars.

As others have said be aware of the public holidays and the surcharges that go with it.

Once you are on the motorway it's a pretty quick drive to the airport (beware- this is also undergoing various construction projects).

Thanks all, that’s very helpful. We will need to be at the airport at 7.30am to check in but will leave plenty of time. Thanks again.

Most of the nicer, larger hotel chains are in the city (eg Park Hyatt). As others have said, the city centre empties out during Xmas though, so you may find that some things will be closed at that time.

If you book something close to the Viaduct (e.g. where the Hilton is) you will have views of the water and plenty of restaurants in walking distance, although no beach. You'll also be very close to the ferry terminal from there, so if you're around all day Tuesday you could very easily do a day trip to Waiheke (if you like beach and vineyards) or Tiritiri Matangi island (if you like birds/wildlife).

Alternatively if you wanted beach then Takapuna as someone has already suggested would be a good choice.

On the plus side, there won't be much traffic in Auckland when you're here - I've already noticed this week that there is already less traffic than usual.