Quest Atrium Wellington

Our Members Say

 There are several Quest apartment blocks in Wellington (and other NZ cities). I stayed at the Atrium (4 star ****) which is located at The Terrace high above and in the city centre at the same time. I thought it is at a perfect location, as The Terrace can be easily reached from Lambton Quay (Cable Car Passage). You do not have to walk for miles and up the hill to get there – with the little exception of getting there after 1am. After this deadline the James Cook Arcade is closed, and you cannot take the elevator and access through the Grand Chancellor Hotel.

Rates
I booked the apartment at a good rate on Wotif (NZ$ 109) but it can be much dearer (but also as low as NZ$ 99). The next nights would have cost NZ$ 179. That is why I stayed one night only this time and just moved across the street to the Grand Chancellor because they offered a much better deal for the following nights.

Corporate rates range from NZ$ 99 for a standard studio to NZ$ 269/329 for a three bedroom apartment. Best you always check on Wotif first.

I was in a standard studio which means: a bedroom/kitchenette unit with bathroom. It was sufficient for my purposes, with a double bed (queen, not king size), the kitchenette with fridge, hob with two hotplates, microwave, kettle, sink (no dishwasher) and plenty of dishes and cutlery. There was even a hidden frontloader washing machine behind wardrobe doors.

I found the wardrobes beside the bed a bit funny as the rails inside were so high that I had to stretch my arm out to reach the coat hangers and hang them back onto the rails. Still the bottom of the wardrobes were so low that you risked knocking your head against the corners and injure yourself when getting up and not thinking of the danger. The bedside lamps did not work but this can be easily fixed. The bathroom (with shower cubicle) was smallish with little storage space only but still ok.

Two big plus points:
You could use the full gym next door for free (and a very nice looking swimming pool and spa), and you had free internet access on a computer at the reception. This was ok for me as I did not have to send out articles and photos on that day/night and only wanted to check and write email. Internet access in the apartment was hugely expensive.

Limited reception hours (Mo – Fri 7am – 9pm, Sat/Sun 8am – 6pm, Public holidays 9am – 4pm. (But there is intercom, so you can let guests into the building after hours by simply pressing a button in your room.)

You risk NZ$ 100 fines if you smoke inside the building or cook, I quote, “food with strong smell such as seafood, curries, etc.”. It is also noted on your Welcome information sheet that you risk immediate eviction if you make too much noise after 10pm. Well, I woke up from noisy guests in the courtyard/atrium in the very early morning hours, and nobody stopped it. It was a disturbance which eventually stopped, and after I had closed the windows I had no further problem with it.

Final verdict:
I would happily stay there again if the price is right. Love the location, the gym use and the kitchenette which saves the cost of having breakfast in a café or restaurant – and more, if you want.

Directions:
If you arrive at the airport, take the Airport Flyer (bus) and leave it at the stop Cable Car/Capital on the Quay. This journey should not take longer than 20 to 25 minutes. The stops are announced and indicated in this bus. The single trip costs NZ$ 8. If you plan further bus trips on the same day get yourself a Star (day) Pass for NZ$ 12.

From the bus stop it is just about 20 to 30 metres back in the direction where you came from. You cannot miss the yellow sign “James Cook Arcade”. Walk through this arcade, past several shops and food outlets. Take the elevator on the left and press the hotel exit of the Grand Chancellor (level 8). Turn to the left and walk past the Grand Chancellor reception, and leave the hotel. Now you are on the Terrace. You see the Quest Atrium diagonally across the street. Safe crossing is via two regular pedestrian crossings with lights.

A taxi from the airport would cost about NZ$ 40.

Cost for a taxi ride from the Interislander ferry comes to about NZ$ 12. The railway station is so close that you can nearly walk (taxi NZ$ 7). Or take the bus (NZ$ 1.50), it is just two or three stops. Lots of buses departing at the railway station drive through Lambton Quay, headed for the airport, Courtenay Place, Island Bay, etc.

Photo 2 shows the kitchenette/desk area.

Photo 3 is a look into the bathroom. The toilet would be to the left. 

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