Avani Auckland Metropolis Residences

On our trip from Los Angeles to New Zealand, we stopped in Auckland for an anniversary dinner and a brief stay in the city. We were heading to Milford Sound on the South Island via Queenstown. That is a pretty long journey to do all at once, so we chose to take a break along the way. We decided to stay in Auckland’s Central Business District, known as the CBD. The Avani Auckland Metropolis Residences was a great choice. It is directly across the street from both Albert Park and the Auckland Art Gallery.

Centrally Located

It is also close to Queen Street, various shopping areas, restaurants and the viaduct waterfront. The iconic Sky Tower, which stands proudly as the main focal point of the city, is also very close. This is where we had our dinner reservations at Orbit 360, a revolving restaurant high above the city streets. CLICK HERE to read the review.

Avani Auckland Metropolis Residences

The front portion of the Metropolis building, where the concierge and lobby are located, was originally a grand old courthouse. As we walked in, I admired the beautiful mosaic stone floor, with classic accents. An interesting art piece behind the desk caught my eye. There are lovely works of art throughout the common areas as well. In 1999, a forty story residential tower was added to the original courthouse. The structure became the tallest building in Auckland at the time. In fact, the famed French Spiderman, Alain Robert, climbed it in 2013 as per the NZ Herald online.

In 2017, the building was renovated, rebranded and added to the AVANI Hotels and Resorts portfolio of properties. Today, this gorgeous building includes 65 contemporary, up-scale units where leisure and business travelers stay for varying lengths of time. A significant number of units in the tower still accommodate people who live there. We met a permanent resident in the elevator. She told us she has lived there for the past eight years and loves it. She gave us some info on the neighborhood as well.

*View from our balcony; photo by Richard Bilow*

When we opened the door to our suite, the first thing we saw was a jaw-dropping view across the city to the waterfront. My husband knew what was in store for us, because he was in touch with the management prior to our arrival. We immediately went out onto the balcony. Being high above the city was a great way to get to know the area. It was so romantic as well. There is nothing quite like a great view from a hotel room, particularly being so high up with a balcony. ETG Tip: Not all the rooms come with a balcony however, so you should definitely make this request when you book your stay. Not all rooms have a harbour view either, so be sure to select this room type, if that is important to you.

The one bedroom harbour suite we had was relatively spacious with a comfy tv/sitting area, free wifi and a 1/2 kitchen. There was a fridge, a microwave and a coffee maker with coffee, teas, milk and sugar. It also had a small stacked washer/dryer, an ironing board, iron, and a safe for valuables. I actually used the safe for my passport, since we were headed to the SkyTower’s Orbit 360 restaurant to celebrate our wedding anniversary several hours after we arrived.

TV sitting area; with Bedroom behind; courtesy of ETG

More Amenities

While I took advantage of the oversized bathtub in our suite, my husband took a dip in the heated indoor swimming pool, a few floors down. He enjoyed a long soak in the jacuzzi while spotting an unexpected view of the SkyTower. There is also a sauna and fitness center on the premises.

Pool; View of the Sky Tower from the jacuzzi; courtesy of ETG

Central Business District Attractions

The location of Avani Metropolis is a big plus. It is just under thirty minutes away from the airport, and close to many of Auckland’s highlights. Our transportation from the airport was easy with taxis, ride shares and shuttle buses available. The shuttle is the best value, and you can buy your tickets in advance.

Once you get to Metropolis, you can walk right across the street and be in Albert Park which is so beautiful. The following morning we spent a couple hours there, enjoying the park and the gorgeous trees and flowers. The Sky Tower makes for a striking photo against the stirring nature foreground.

*Albert Park with a view of the Sky Tower; photo by Richard Bilow*

We also stopped into the Auckland Art Gallery at the edge of the park. Then we went for lunch just around the corner. The great location made things easy, and we ended up doing more than expected.

Queen Street is just around the corner with numerous restaurants and lots of shopping. It is also an easy walk to the waterfront, where you will find even more eateries and shops. There are some hills, so not all the walking is super easy. If you are taking the Fuller’s 360 Ferry to Waiheke Island, the departure point is close by as well. Plus, most of the day tours will pick you up at Metropolis.

Excellent Concierge

The front desk staff was excellent. They gave us maps and offered suggestions on some great restaurants. They directed us to an excellent coffee spot right at the corner with delicious baked goods. When it came time to leave, they went out of their way to help us get an Uber. The airport shuttle was sold-out. We got a bit caught up in the beautiful day and forgot to prioritize our transportation. Find out more about Avani Auckland Metropolis Residences on the website – https://www.avanihotels.com

CLICK HERE for additional articles about New Zealand, as well as NZ lodging reviews; ETG also encourages you to visit New Zealand’s official tourism website – https://www.newzealand.com