Question on price conversion and Auckland hotel

[Coastaljen]

OK I booked a cruise of Australia and New Zealand yesterday, and so far this board has been amazing.

 

I booked post cruise at Sydney Marriott Harbour off of Priceline, and I saved the supershuttle website for Auckland. :-) You guys are the best!

 

OK I am deleting the conversion question. I found a website that DOES have the NZD.

 

Now, for the one big question-- I don't see a lot of hotels recommended for Auckland. I assumed it would be best to stay near the harbour. The Hilton is outrageous (someone mentioned it), but I read somewhere where you can get it for less..not sure where.

 

Any ideas for a reasonable hotel near where the ship docks?

[Coastaljen]

OK I can't edit. I did find the Hyatt, but it sounds like it is very high on a hill from tripadvisor. I also found Crown Plaza..if anyone has thoughts on those. I did read the commnts, and CP doesn't sound too bad. It is also very reasonable I think.

[Coastaljen]

I went ahead and booked the Crown Plaza. Thus, if you have bad views on it you don't need to respond. ;) I just hate waiting to do things. It should be good enough.

[ArizonaRalphie]

To heck with the views. Chances are you aren't going to just sit around your hotel room in Auckland gazing out the window. You're gonna' be at it man, walking here, there, everywhere. You're gonna' be on the bus, you're gonna' be harbor cruising, you're gonna' be up in the Sky Tower scarffing up some great New Zealand food.

 

Who needs a view? Give the Rendevouz Hotel a shot. We called direct and were able to get a room for $170 NZD where there published price is $195 NZD. You found the converter so you know this is a pretty good deal. Go for it.

[LimoBoy]

OK I booked a cruise of Australia and New Zealand yesterday, and so far this board has been amazing.

 

I booked post cruise at Sydney Marriott Harbour off of Priceline, and I saved the supershuttle website for Auckland. :-) You guys are the best!

 

OK I am deleting the conversion question. I found a website that DOES have the NZD.

 

Now, for the one big question-- I don't see a lot of hotels recommended for Auckland. I assumed it would be best to stay near the harbour. The Hilton is outrageous (someone mentioned it), but I read somewhere where you can get it for less..not sure where.

 

Any ideas for a reasonable hotel near where the ship docks?

Hotels closest to the downtown and the cruise ship dock are.

 

Hilton Hotel, closest [50 meters] but pricey.

Copthorne Harbourside [across the road but an older hotel]

Stamford Plaza, just up the road.

The Heritage, round the corner from the Viaduct Basin

Sebel Suites, nice boutique style modern hotel.

Rydges Auckland.

Sky City Hotel, under the Tower.

The Rendevous [used to be the Carlton]

The Langham [used to be the Sheraton].

Mollies, a real exclusive b&b hotel.

Can also look at the Kingsgate chain of hotels, one in parnell is a good budget one, opposite the Rose gardens.

 

Hope all that helps, current exchange rate is about $1.00 NZ to $0.79 US [ouch!]

[Coastaljen]

Oh darn Limoboy. I guess I wasn't patient enough. Now I have to check out the ones you mentioned, so see how bad of a mistake I made with the one I chose.

 

I "thought" from reading things that the one I booked was in a good area near the harbour and downtown.

 

I wasn't concerned with a view at all. I just wanted to be near things. Not sure where the view idea came in. Maybe when I said the hill? I just mentioned that because I am bringing my mother who may not be into high hill climbing. ;)

 

I can't believe you are from New Zealand. I have never met anyone from there, and I have no knowledge. I need to go buy a book. I am SO excited. I booked a solo Alaska cruise soon, so I could read the book then. :-)

[mipps]

I stay at the Crown Plaza for work

The rooms are above average. Service is as good as NZ gets. I only stick around for breakfasts there and eat out in Auckland most nights.

The thing I liked about it is it is only a block from Sky City Casino and even a pleasant walk to the Viaduct and nightlife

 

my 3 cents

 

:)

[LimoBoy]

Oh darn Limoboy. I guess I wasn't patient enough. Now I have to check out the ones you mentioned, so see how bad of a mistake I made with the one I chose.

 

I "thought" from reading things that the one I booked was in a good area near the harbour and downtown.

 

I wasn't concerned with a view at all. I just wanted to be near things. Not sure where the view idea came in. Maybe when I said the hill? I just mentioned that because I am bringing my mother who may not be into high hill climbing. ;)

 

I can't believe you are from New Zealand. I have never met anyone from there, and I have no knowledge. I need to go buy a book. I am SO excited. I booked a solo Alaska cruise soon, so I could read the book then. :-)

The Crown Plaza is fine, its in the centre of things, about half way up the hill, not as far as the Rendevous or Langham. As another posted notes, its just across from the Sky Tower and Casino complex. Maybe a 10/15 minute walk down to the harbour. If you need any more NZ info just post. Regards.

[Coastaljen]

Thanks!! You made my day. When it wasn't on your list, I thought ..where in the heck did I get reservations...... :-)

[pinksuit]

To heck with the views. Chances are you aren't going to just sit around your hotel room in Auckland gazing out the window. You're gonna' be at it man, walking here, there, everywhere. You're gonna' be on the bus, you're gonna' be harbor cruising, you're gonna' be up in the Sky Tower scarffing up some great New Zealand food.

 

Who needs a view? Give the Rendevouz Hotel a shot. We called direct and were able to get a room for $170 NZD where there published price is $195 NZD. You found the converter so you know this is a pretty good deal. Go for it.

Ralphie, You are so right! We do make such a fuss over the best accommodations and we simply do not take advantage of it. However, it is nice to be able to sleep well without the thoughts of an inferior property. I've been racking my brains to get the best for my group of 20. It's a real chore.....!!!!!!! PinkSuit

[ArizonaRalphie]

Ralphie, You are so right! We do make such a fuss over the best accommodations and we simply do not take advantage of it. However, it is nice to be able to sleep well without the thoughts of an inferior property. I've been racking my brains to get the best for my group of 20. It's a real chore.....!!!!!!! PinkSuit

 

Coleman has a nice selection of tents and I'm sure that they are afailable in New Zealand. I'll almost bet that there is a park where they might be pitched also.

 

 

Never mind, thanks are not necessary. I'm just glad to be of assistance.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Hope all that helps, current exchange rate is about $1.00 NZ to $0.79 US [ouch!]

 

Broke 80c today and talk is it is on its way to 90c

[LimoBoy]

Ralphie, You are so right! We do make such a fuss over the best accommodations and we simply do not take advantage of it. However, it is nice to be able to sleep well without the thoughts of an inferior property. I've been racking my brains to get the best for my group of 20. It's a real chore.....!!!!!!! PinkSuit

What do you mean "get the best for your group of 20' do you want the best views, accommodation, location, facilities or rates, if you let me have your parameters i can offer some more info.

[aussie down under]

Hi Coastaljen,

We cruised from Sydney to Auckland in January 2007, this was a wonderful cruise. We stayed at the Duxton Hotel in Auckland only 5 minutes from the harbour, and an easy walk to skytower (about 10 minutes).

The hotel was very nice and the service excellent, and the price very reasonable compared to most others in the city area.

Hope you have a fabulous cruise,

Michele:)

[SheilaNC]

Several years ago we stayed at the Crown Plaza and found it very nice. We were in our room by 7:30 AM after an all night flight. Tea kettles and light snacks were in the room. Location was convenient (although an uphill walk from the harbor); staff was lovely. Priceline has it listed starting at $172/night and a phone call to the hotel or the hotel Web site might get you a better rate.

 

I agree that you are not in your room much and will be walking all over the city so views are not very important. Whatever you book...enjoy!

[Coastaljen]

That is great they let you in early. We arrive in NZ at 6:30 a.m.

 

I have to laugh. I never even thought about "views", but somehow someone got that idea. I did use the term views in term of viewpoints. Maybe that is how it started. ;)

[pinksuit]

What do you mean "get the best for your group of 20' do you want the best views, accommodation, location, facilities or rates, if you let me have your parameters i can offer some more info.

Best of everything. Actually, I've contacted the HotelPlanner.com for Sydney and Auckland and I have received wonderful quotes for my group of 20. I believe it's looking real good for us now. My concern was trying to balance the economic ladder and keeping things in perspective for everyone. Now, as you stated earlier, sometimes we make such a fuss over hotels and we barely spend any time in the rooms. So that really what I was referring to in the response to you. Thanks Ralphie

 

PinkSuit