AKL--SkyCity Grand??

[sunsetme]

Anyone stayed here? Trying to decide among the hotels--don't see any info here about this one. Has anyone eaten in the restaurant on top of the Sky Tower? How do you make reservations for that?

[KiwiIan]

Anyone stayed here? Trying to decide among the hotels--don't see any info here about this one. Has anyone eaten in the restaurant on top of the Sky Tower? How do you make reservations for that?

Hi.

 

The grand is a new, good modern hotel, situated in the Sky City complex. Like all hotels of this standard you will get good service and top quality rooms, just might be a little impersonal. Its about a 10 minute walk up the hill from the Viaducy Basin [yatch marina] and the cruise ship berth, which is in fact along side the Hilton Hotel.

 

I have dined in the restaurant at the top of the tower, there are in fact two, the main one is the revolving one call the ORBIT, this offers an a la carte menu. The other is the Observatory and this does not revolve and only offers a buffett style meal choice, go for the ORBIT. To enjoy a good meal which watching the lights of Auckland come on is just awesome. We often end our trips by taking our groups there for the last night. You can book on line at this web site http://www.skycity.co.nz/skycity/auckland/restaurants-and-bars/orbit/orbit_home.cfm Would suggest taking the early sitting around 6pm so you get the best of the sunsets. Then after you can go downstairs to the casino to win back the cost of the cruise. If you need any other help re thinks to do in NZ, especially Auckland and Tauranga which is our stomping ground. Regards Ian

[Flipper133]

Hi

I have just got back from a 3 day visit to Auckland (Sports Law Convention) where I stayed at the Hilton.

This hotel is styled to almost look like a cruise liner and it is located on Princes Pier which is where the Sapphire docks.

Selecting a good hotel is never easy...but if it makes it easier for you I would not recommend the Hilton. Ok it is in a great position, especially if you are cruising, but that does not compensate for the imbalance between their charges and what they offer. I paid NZ$350 per night (which is convention rate) for a room I would describe as average. Breakfast (basic) was an extra NZ$27. Bar prices were impossible. NZ$7 for a small beer was bad enough but NZ$17 for half a glass of Shiraz was to my mind simply a rip off. When I queried the bar attendant his response was simply "sir, this is the Hilton".

I am sure there is better value in Auckland - a great city, even if they are still doing the same roadworks I encountered there Feb last year!

 

Cheers