More about Stamford Plaza Auckland
Cold, impersonal luxury
by TripAdvisor Member seashorekoa
Very thin walls! Could clearly hear our neigbours on both sides: a screaming kid in one room, upbeat midnight talkers in the other.
Much advertised pool/spa was only available at an external location due to reconstruction.
Cold and unappealing lobby.
The 6th floor room we were first offered at check-in looked straight into a construction site. Upon contacting the reception, we were moved to a room on the 7th floor with city view.
Part of the information material availale in the room included a colorful brochure boasting that the hotel owners were "voracious socialites", that they had guilded faucets in their home, and listed a variety of exclusive social events the couple had attended.
Had we not had a good laugh and perceived the whole as a veritable farce, it would have been truly disgusting. It sounded a bit like the achievement portfolio of a nuveau riche hotelier anxious to list every celebrity he had ever shaked hands with.
Not Quite What We Expected
by TripAdvisor Member Acker
Our world trip was to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, and we looked on the web for hotels. We had the choice of several in Auckland, but went with the Stamford Plaza after a positive report from the guy at Trailfinders.
Arrived on an early am flight from the USA, and had asked for an early check-in. We got the impression from the desk clerk that they were doing us a great favour by finding us a room that early. The room was OK, with usual stuff, but no information book about the hotel facilities, or how to operate the alarm, etc. Told later that there was no book because the printers had fouled up. Also discovered that the place was in the middle of a big refurbishment programme, so we had scaffolding outside our window, and, at one point, a man out there too! Inside, there was the sound of drilling until noon on saturday. We didn't eat at the hotel, so cannot comment on the food. Concierge was very helpful when we booked a bus tour to Rotorua. After a short stay of just 2 nights, we were told on checkout that we were to be charged for using the small room-safe(!) This was a first, and we protested that we knew nothing of it. The girl said that it was in the info booklet that we didn't have. The charge was generously (?) waived. We thought that the hotel should have got onto their computer and produced a temporary info sheet for guests, and to this day we don't know if they had a pool or not. We also thought that they should have made it known that there was major work going on. We sent a comment sheet in, and had a prompt response from the manager, who offered his apologies if we had been dissatisfied with our stay. It wasn't so bad as to turn us off completely, but we thought they could have done rather better. We paid £106 per night for a Superior rm only. If we get back to NZ we'll doubtless stay somewhere else.
Good choice
by TripAdvisor Member Cambridge2007
Top city hotel in excellent location near Auckland waterfront. Excellent service, particularly from the concierge, and spacious, comfortable rooms. Check to make sure there is no construction, however (we stayed over a weekend in January 2007 but noticed they are building on top of the hotel, which could be noisy). Mark & Pamela, Cambridge, Mass.
Good Choice
by TripAdvisor Member jfd
Stayed here one night precruise Jan 22. Was able to check in at 8am. Yes there is construction, but it was bearable. The location of the hotel is very central to everything you want to see. The only hitch was that it was warm and to work the air conditioning you needed to insert you key into a slot, therefore while we were out it was not on and it was difficult to cool the room. We had breakfast included in our rate which we booked on the hotel website. It was excellent, but if you don't want to spend the money, there is a cafe just down the block. We were very happy with this choice, being able to check in early was a big plus for us and we were able to walk to the pier with our luggage the next day.
Should be closed during renovation
by TripAdvisor Member FrequentFrier
I am sorry to say this, but I feel this hotel should be closed during the massive renovations now underway - to turn much of the building into apartments. During my two night stay, the fire alarm went off twice (once such that all guests had to parade into the street at 5am) - apparently due to leaks from the renovations into the rest of the building when it rains (according to a staffer I spoke to). The noise from the renovations during the day is appalling. The staff are trying to do their best under difficult conditions. The rooms themselves are clean and functional. However, most rooms seem to have fairly dismal views. I would not recommend you stay here - at least until the renovations are complete. Check with the hotel before you book.
Not worth the price
by TripAdvisor Member DownunderAuckland
My husband and I stayed one night at the Stamford Plaza to celebrate three months of marriage. The front desk was understaffed on our arrival and as a result, check-in took 15 minutes. Furthermore, once we reached our room, we needed to phone room service to get the champagne that should have been prepared for us before our arrival. The room itself was spacious and functional, but the decor was dated. We woke up to construction noise directly outside our room, shower noise from the room next door and doors opening and closing along the hallway. In short, we will not stay at this hotel again.
Value does not equal price
by TripAdvisor Member Pilot7700
Just returned from our stay at the Stamford. The hotel is under massive renovations and some of the facilities are not available at the hotel. They do have other arrangements for the health club, etc. nearby. The rooms were nice and the staff was polite, however this property is geared for the business traveler; not someone on vacation. Parking is by valet only and is quite expensive. Internet access is available at a very high price and worked some of the time. We spent more time with repairmen in our room than we did using our computer. The hotel is located in the city centre and very accessible to all attractions, but getting to the hotel is very hard due to the traffic. All and all, we found that the value was not worth the price we paid for the room, parking and other charges.
Good Location but.......
by TripAdvisor Member hangar2jo
We stayed here for New Years Eve. The hotel is ideally located but there were major renovations going on. There was no noise of course because it was New Years Eve and public holidays followed but the view was straight out into the building site and the windows were filthy. The room itself was fine and we enjoyed the location as easy to view the firworks from the street outside the hotel as sky tower was in perfect range.
Next morning there was no hot water so cold showers it was. On enquiring at reception we were told that there was no hot water and they were waiting for a maintenance man to arrive. Breakfast was totally disorganised and it was basically a case of 'to many guests - not enough staff or seats for that matter'. A long wait and then a total lack of service, with no cutlery, napkins etc, even after asking three times for a knife, I just gave up and use my spoon to butter my toast..............overall the rooms were fine the service and renovation impact on guests needs to be addressed.
Very Very New
by TripAdvisor Member chuckenpen
We stayed here for two nights after getting off a flight from hong kong. The hotel had been newly refurbished and it looked very impressive on our arrival.
Our double room was very spacious with a huge bathroom. The room had everything from radio/cd player to hairdryer, iron tv etc.
The bathroom had a seperate bath and shower.
It was very clean and you could smell the newness of the place.
The lobby is very impressive open, spacious and modern.
Our checking in was very smooth and the receptionist was very polite and mannerly. Our breakfast in the morning was great a huge buffet including fruits, cereals, breads. cooked breakfast for all nationalities.
Its was a 10 minute walk to the Skytower and 20 min walk to the harbour, a 2 minute walk to Queen Street where most of the shops etc are located.
The only bad comment i had about the hotel was that there was still construction going on when we were there, we were woken up at 7am with the sound of kango hammers.
We booked a hire car to drive up north and when we ask the concierge how to get on to the motorway he said you see those traffic lights just across from the hotel and down a little bit turn left at them and you are there. So it is really handy for getting out of the city without too much of a fuss.
Not as 5 star as they claim!
by TripAdvisor Member PerthAussiegirl
We stayed at this hotel via a secret hotel 5 star deal- very disappointed- room was very very outdated and old, and the massive construction made it a unromantic stay. Would not recommened this hotel. On the postive side- the concierge was amazing.
Photos
Pacific Sun at Princess Wharf in Auckland
Ferry Building
There is a glorious view on a clear day
Night view
Forum Posts
What to do in NZ?
by BorneoBoy
I been in NZ for many years now... what can I do or see? been to North Island and South... is that it?? maybe time to head oversea eh???
Re: What to do in NZ?
by mad4travel
Have you been to White Island? Its a volcano in the sea off Whakatane. If you are lucky it might even be erupting a bit when u get there.
Re: What to do in NZ?
by BorneoBoy
Well, I saw it smoking many years back..... around 1998?... saw it when I was staying at Bay of Plenty.... But never been on the island itself... I even been to Kapiti Island and Steward Island..
Re: What to do in NZ?
by allikat
Have you been to Gt Barrier Island?
Re: What to do in NZ?
by extaski
Get a yacht or at least a crew position or get out of Auckland.
Re: What to do in NZ?
by Kakapo2
Tiritiri Matangi, Banks Peninsula, Karamea, Mahia Peninsula, Otago Peninsula, Otago Central Rail Trail, Dansey's Pass Road, hinterland gravel roads in Canterbury Rakaia Gorge - Lake Lyndon, Lakes Taylor and Sumner, Mt. Somers, Edoras etc. etc.
And if you have really seen everything nail your shoes to the shoe tree in Temuka and head overseas!
What to do in NZ?
by kiwi
If you are bored living in New Zealand, and have to ask an internet forum what to do about it, I seriously think you are doomed. If you are stuck down here, how about creating your own virtual world and doing just whatever it is that interests you.
Re: What to do in NZ?
by BorneoBoy
well, I just thought I minght be missing some interesting place in NZ. Only been in NZ for 10 years...
What to do in NZ?
by kiwi
LOL, only 10 yrs. Well I recommend getting out and seeking nooks and crannies, they are everywhere. Have you been to Kai-Iwi Lakes yet?
Re: What to do in NZ?
by BorneoBoy
Kai-Iwi Lakes? Don't think I been there... where about is that??
Re: What to do in NZ?
by Kakapo2
Check here:
http://communities.co.nz/KaiIwiLakes/Index.cfm
Cannot be missed on the way north to Waipoua Forest ;-)
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