Rydges Auckland

“Good View and location”

I decided to stay here for a night for my birthday (22/12) and be a tourist in my own city. Stayed in a premium harbour view room. Fabulous view from the room which really comes into its own once it's dark and the harbour bridge lights up. Room is quiet and a good size. No hot water from the basin … more

I decided to stay here for a night for my birthday (22/12) and be a tourist in my own city. Stayed in a premium harbour view room. Fabulous view from the room which really comes into its own once it's dark and the harbour bridge lights up. Room is quiet and a good size. No hot water from the basin tap but not a big deal. Hotel is in a good central location and walkable to everything. Car park is just across the road from the hotel so nice and convenient. The solo front counter staff member was efficient. Not a biggie but he could have been more welcoming and friendly. Felt like a business transaction which I guess it was but certainly lacked some warmth. Had dinner at the onsite restaurant The Cut. This is where the hotel shone for me. I was the only diner for the majority of my dinner reservation. The two young ladies who welcomed me and served me were the kindest most customer service focused women. They were smiley and friendly upon my arrival and welcomed me warmly. I told them I was dining in for my birthday. After receiving my delicious dinner (steak, salad and fries) they kindy brought me out a desert with a happy birthday chocolate on it as a surprise. I mean what a wonderful gesture! This is the kind of thoughtfulness and stellar service that makes a customer feel super special and at home which is what hotels should, I think, strive for. The chef also did a superb job and the food was flawless. A big round of applause for all the restaurant staff, as the did an amazing job and really made my birthday evening special. I hope business picks up in this restaurant as to be so quiet over the holiday season is a crime when they put out superbly cooked food with warm and welcoming service. I checked out the next day. Had an included breakfast before I left. Really good selection of hot and cold food and it did not disappoint. Ive found all Rydges hotel do a great buffet breakfast and this was no exception. Had the same gentleman who checked me in the day prior check me out. He sadly didn't ask me how my stay was or if I enjoyed my stay or anything at all. Just went through the motions, again like a cold business transaction. I guess this is more of an executive business type hotel and a focus on efficiency is important without personality or warmth. Regardless I would still recommend this hotel to others and I will return to the restaurant again. The price was very reasonable for my stay.

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“Not the best experience.”

This hotel is very average- perhaps even below average in some areas. I booked with them several months ago and I booked extra days before a group tour. When I wrote to the hotel with several questions prior to my arrival they were unresponsive and I had to contact the third party booking agent t… more

This hotel is very average- perhaps even below average in some areas. I booked with them several months ago and I booked extra days before a group tour. When I wrote to the hotel with several questions prior to my arrival they were unresponsive and I had to contact the third party booking agent to give them a nudge to get my questions answered. Even then communication was terrible. We checked in after traveling for 21 hours, took showers and locked the door to the room and crawled into bed in a state of exhaustion. A couple of hours later someone attempted to enter our room with a key card which was quite unnerving. Upon checking with reception we were told the night manager had given someone else’s room to us. They apologized and only when I later requested compensation did they credit me for a breakfast meal- hardly earth-shattering. Breakfast was very ordinary at best. The coffee was absolutely dreadful. It was entirely unimpressive. And the second to the last day of our stay we went out in the morning and left the sign on our door indicating we would like the room cleaned. When we returned around four in the afternoon the room had not been touched. When I called down to the front desk to request housekeeping, I let the phone ring 63 times and they failed to pick up. I walked down to reception to let them know the room had not been cleaned. They indicated they would send someone right up. Location is fine. The bathroom smelled like mold the entire time. The room itself was adequate and had a lovely view of the Sky Tower but it was definitely quite worn and not anything more than three stars. Would I recommend it? Probably not. Group tours stay here and I suspect the price is right for such arrangements. Reception and breakfast staff were pleasant enough but this is definitely not a place I would seek out. It’s entirely ordinary and completely unimpressive.

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“Family holiday”

The accommodation was okay, but the double bed was uncomfortable, and I didn’t like the bathroom design. I would recommend using valet parking, as I came across reviews suggesting that the car park next to the hotel isn’t ideal. On the positive side, the front office staff were excellent, the vale… more

The accommodation was okay, but the double bed was uncomfortable, and I didn’t like the bathroom design. I would recommend using valet parking, as I came across reviews suggesting that the car park next to the hotel isn’t ideal. On the positive side, the front office staff were excellent, the valet service was great, and the breakfast was enjoyable. The location is convenient, close to the casino, but I felt uneasy walking around the area after 9:00 PM.

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