Copthorne Hotel Harbour City Auckland

Hi guys :)

Was wondering if anyone can help us with this little one, we're cruising out of Auckland in December, I know it's ages away but just wanted to get everything sorted :)

We were looking at getting into Auckland 2 days before our cruise, and therefore need somewhere to stay, and we were hoping somewhere near the harbour so I can run straight onto the ship :p According to Google Maps, Our choices or either Copthrone Hotel Harbour City or The Hilton. But the Hilton is double the price of the Copthorne, so I just thought I'd see what you guys think?? Have any of you stayed at Copthorne? Or if any of you Aucklanders know if it looks any good or have any other recommendations as to where to stay that would be great :D

Thanks

Haven't stayed there, but know lots of cruisers who have , and they seemed to find it OK , for a night or two. Best thing is its position.

Its a bit dated, and 1970's, but clean and comfy.

Heres a couple of threads from the Ports of Call board where they chat about it, which may be of interest....

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1329461

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1356890

a few blocks behind Copthorne , there is also the Auckland Grand Chancellor, and Rydges Hotel.

Thanks for your help David :) I didn't even think of doing a search on CC!!:o

I have stayed there a couple of times and am staying there later this month. As a previous poster said it is a bit dated around 1960's vintage but the rooms are clean and comfortable and it is over the road from the cruise terminal and two blocks from Queen St the main street and the main bus and train terminal. Another hotel perhaps more convenient and in the same price range is the Mercure Auckland again around the same vintage.

My two cents if I may - we stayed at the Copthorne last year and really disliked it.

It seems to me that although we paid extra for a Superior Room, some rooms were superior again. I think it depended on whether or not the room was renovated and in our case, it wasn't so why the heck were we charged extra? The room was VERY 60's and bland, bland, bland - really depressing actually - not even a picture on the wall !!! I actually went to the reception and said that we had asked for a Superior room and we think we have been allocated a different room. The chap looked it up and said that we were in the right room - I was stunned to say the least !

Our room had paint peeling, rust and a few holes in the bathroom to name a few things and mistake of all mistakes, I requested twin room instead of a Queen so we had tiny single beds that were so old and no support at the sides that I had to hang on for dear life lest I fall out of bed !!

The lifts are tiny and take a while to arrive so if you are travelling with 2 large suitcases, the lift may take just one of you with the cases - or two people if the cases aren't too large.

Although the Copthorne is in a great position, the Hilton is better located - just walk out the door and you're there almost at the cruise check in which is great.

While the Hilton may cost more, one thing to bear in mind is that the exchange rate is very favourable to Aussies so it won't cost nearly as much as you think and you may be able to get breakfast thrown in - have you had a look at the Hilton's website to see what deals are available?

While the Hilton may cost more, one thing to bear in mind is that the exchange rate is very favourable to Aussies so it won't cost nearly as much as you think and you may be able to get breakfast thrown in - have you had a look at the Hilton's website to see what deals are available?

Just another thought to throw into the pot....

The Hilton also has Apartments that they manage, and while I have no experience of them, have read on the boards that some folk have got a really good deal there. May be worth checking out?

I really like the Sebel its position, rooms and the restaurants and bars downstairs right on the harbour. I also like the washer and drier in the room so you can get everything ship shape for the flight back.

Sue

I know it's not near the harbour, but we stayed at the Langham when we visited Auckland. Nice hotel. Having said that, we thought that Auckland was one of the most boring places we've ever visited! :(

My two cents if I may - we stayed at the Copthorne last year and really disliked it.

 

It seems to me that although we paid extra for a Superior Room, some rooms were superior again. I think it depended on whether or not the room was renovated and in our case, it wasn't so why the heck were we charged extra? The room was VERY 60's and bland, bland, bland - really depressing actually - not even a picture on the wall !!! I actually went to the reception and said that we had asked for a Superior room and we think we have been allocated a different room. The chap looked it up and said that we were in the right room - I was stunned to say the least !

 

Our room had paint peeling, rust and a few holes in the bathroom to name a few things and mistake of all mistakes, I requested twin room instead of a Queen so we had tiny single beds that were so old and no support at the sides that I had to hang on for dear life lest I fall out of bed !!

 

The lifts are tiny and take a while to arrive so if you are travelling with 2 large suitcases, the lift may take just one of you with the cases - or two people if the cases aren't too large.

 

Although the Copthorne is in a great position, the Hilton is better located - just walk out the door and you're there almost at the cruise check in which is great.

 

While the Hilton may cost more, one thing to bear in mind is that the exchange rate is very favourable to Aussies so it won't cost nearly as much as you think and you may be able to get breakfast thrown in - have you had a look at the Hilton's website to see what deals are available?

We stayed in the Copthorne for two nights before our Christmas Eve sailing on the Diamond Princess in 2008. Yes the rooms are a bit dated but still had everything one would want and the price was very reasonble.

The best thing was being able to see the Diamond sail into port in the morning and dock right outside our window. This was our first cruise and I wouldn't have missed that experience for the world, dated decor or not.

cheers

Stu

Hmmm.... Maybe I should have another look around to see what's available:) The Hilton was my first choice, but the prices did scare me a little, maybe I'll have to go back for a second look :D That being said, I'm pretty easy when it comes to hotel rooms, I need a bed, and preferably a view of our ship coming in :D

We stayed at the Copthorne in May last year and although the room was a little dated it was still clean and comfortable and the breakfast (included in the room price) was very good.

Also able to watch the ship coming in at 5.45 am - very enjoyable.

I know it's not near the harbour, but we stayed at the Langham when we visited Auckland. Nice hotel. Having said that, we thought that Auckland was one of the most boring places we've ever visited! :(

You obviously haven't visited Whittier in Alaska. :D

We have stayed in the Copthorne on the Harbour twice ( First time was paid for by work, so there was no staff drinking and driving)

The second time we stayed I remembered how awful it was!!! :rolleyes: It is old, tired and the road noise (taxis tooting horns all night long on a Sat night) was dreadful.

There are better choices in the Auckland City - Sebel, Rydges, Stamford Plaza, Skycity, Skycity Grand, Hilton (of course but it is very expensive - well to an Aucklander anyway) Mecure and my favourite is Rendezous. :D

Rendezous is at the 'top' of town (like the Langham), so not right by the water front. We stayed at the Rendezous on New Years Eve and it was a great spot to watch the fireworks at midnight from the Sky Tower!!!

As for the comment that Auckland is boring - any city can be boring if you don't enjoy what it has to offer!!!

Another option for Auckland , if you want all new and sparkly, is the Sky City Grand.

Just walk over the glass bridge , and you have all the Casino and Restaurant options open to you , without having to leave the Hotel.

Its only a few blocks from the pier.

In Dec/January, we stayed at the Mercure , which is in a fantastic location in Auckland. It is just round the corner from the harbour, you could not be much closer if you tried. Literally about a minute's walk away.

Depending on what room you get, you can often see the sky tower (or else towards the harbour). Ours faced sky tower and we had a bird's eye view of all the fireworks on New Year's eve. :-)

There is a bus right outside the door. We used it to go to the museum. Most other places we could just walk to, as the Mercure is right in the heart of town.

The room was fine, fairly modern and comfortable.

Try here:

Hotel "Bianco Off Queen Apartments"

Address 2 White Street, Central Business District

Auckland, 1010

New Zealand

Phone +6499759500

Fax +6499759600

E-mail reservations@biancooffqueen.co.nz

Cheap and well located at the top end of Queen Street.

Tony