we checked into this hotel on a Christmas afternoon last year. when it reached evening, me, my sister and my cousins decided to brave the cold weather and go swimming(most shops were closed anyway). so we ran to the pool dressed in normal t-shirts and berms(didn't have our swimsuits and trunk) and ran into the staff there. actually no one's supposed to swim without swimming gear...but he went like "oh what the heck its christmas doesn't matter anyway" that's what i call the christmas spirit man! at night the skycity tower is lighted up and its this beautiful neon green colour! it was such a refreshing time! there was also this bungy jump you could do at the tower! the rooms are great and when you want some fresh air you can just step out onto the space outside your room and take a breather! i would definitely recommend this hotel to stay if one is in auckland!