The 7 Best Luxury Hotels in Auckland

In the open air: At the Park Hyatt Auckland, the heated 25-metre infinity pool sits above the marina; it is covered but open to the wind and can be used all year. The Cordis Auckland has its heated rooftop pool on the second floor, with a spa pool; during Serenity Hours it is reserved for adults.Cordis Auckland · GraftonWith harbour views: At the JW Marriott Auckland, you swim in a heated 14-metre indoor pool on the 11th floor while looking out over the harbour; next to it are a cold plunge pool and a whirlpool.

Swimming laps: The Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour has a heated 20-metre indoor pool with a whirlpool and sauna. At SO/ Auckland, the heated indoor pool is on the lower level, together with a whirlpool and a Finnish sauna.

Inspired by the Far East: The Chuan Spa at the Cordis Auckland follows the Five Elements and Traditional Chinese Medicine, with saunas, herbal steam rooms, an ice experience and the Chuan Tri-bathing ritual. At the Park Hyatt Auckland, hotel guests use the area with whirlpool, warm jet pool, steam room and sauna free of charge, and you can add massages at the day spa.SO/ Auckland · City CentreBelow the street: The SO/ Spa at SO/ Auckland lies two floors underground, with facials and body treatments by Vagheggi and Codage Paris. At the Sofitel Spa of the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour, signature rituals use French skincare.

Wellness as a concept: The JW Marriott Auckland puts wellness at the centre: the Wellness Centre on the 11th floor has an indoor pool, cold plunge pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam room, and a Wellness Concierge helps you plan. Not every one of the luxury hotels in Auckland has its own spa: at the InterContinental Auckland, treatments come to your room.

Prices start at 100 € at the Cordis Auckland and go up to 222 € at the Park Hyatt Auckland. On the water, the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour starts at 159 € and the InterContinental Auckland at 187 €; in the CBD, SO/ Auckland and Hotel Indigo Auckland both start at 109 €, the JW Marriott Auckland at 156 €. The table shows all seven hotels by location; you'll find live rates and availability in the hotel list below.

What's included: At all seven luxury hotels in Auckland, daily breakfast for two is included, at the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour in La Maree restaurant, at the JW Marriott Auckland as a buffet at Trivet. An upgrade subject to availability is added everywhere, at the Park Hyatt Auckland already at booking. At SO/ Auckland the benefits apply from two nights, at all other hotels from the first night.

For hotel credit, SO/ Auckland, the Park Hyatt Auckland, the InterContinental Auckland and Hotel Indigo Auckland each add 100 US dollars, and the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour also 100 US dollars, though not with every rate. At the Cordis Auckland it is at least 50 New Zealand dollars, up to 125 for longer stays and selected rates. The JW Marriott Auckland offers a welcome gift instead.

Points and status come with all seven hotels: ALL (Accor) at SO/ Auckland and the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour, IHG One Rewards at the InterContinental Auckland and Hotel Indigo Auckland, World of Hyatt at the Park Hyatt Auckland, Marriott Bonvoy at the JW Marriott Auckland and Brilliant by Langham at the Cordis Auckland.

When it's most beautiful: A 5-star hotel in Auckland is worth it all year round. From November to April it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere: long days, ferry rides to the islands of the Hauraki Gulf and evenings on the terraces at the Viaduct. From May to August the winter is mild and green, and the city's museums and restaurants have plenty of room for you. Over Christmas and New Year, it pays to book early.

How long to stay: For a 5-star hotel in Auckland, we recommend three nights: one day for the city with Mount Eden and the Auckland War Memorial Museum, one for Waiheke Island and its wineries, and one for the black-sand beaches of Piha and Muriwai on the west coast.