CityLife Auckland

Situated in the heart of Auckland's business, shopping, and entertainment district, this modern hotel is popular with couples who want to be near the city’s main attractions, or business travelers who might use the hotel’s meeting rooms. Inside this high-rise tower block, sliding glass doors lead to an attractive lobby. A seating area with plush carpet and colorful armchairs welcomes guests, and a black marble reception desk and several elevators line the adjacent wall. Hallways feature the same decor found in the lobby, with touches of color softening the monochrome decor. This is a upmarket hotel with a corporate feel, though it's sharp enough to provide a polished home base for leisure travelers as well.

Located on the corner of Durham Street West and Durham Lane in Auckland’s CBD, the CityLife hotel is an ideal base for exploring the city’s major attractions. Auckland’s highest building, the Sky Tower, is a four-minute walk away and has a famous panoramic observation deck plus a base-jump platform. For culture at ground level, Auckland Art Gallery is a seven-minute walk from the hotel. By foot, it's an eight-minute walk from the hotel to the Viaduct development along Customs Street West, which has a good selection of cafes, restaurants, and bars (plus views of Waitemata Harbour). The New Zealand Maritime Museum is a seven-minute drive or 12 minutes by public transport. From the hotel, Auckland Harbour Bridge, with its bridge climb and bungy jump, is an eight-minute drive away. Auckland Airport is a 35-minute drive, depending on traffic, or around an hour on the airport bus. 

The CityLife has 221 upscale rooms with simple contemporary furnishings with a mostly neutral look punched up by pops of red and patterned accents. In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, safes, irons, and ironing boards. All rooms also have full-length mirrors, and wardrobe space with hangers. Entry-level Superior Rooms have double beds, small desks, and mini-fridges. Apartment-style Deluxe Suites add open-plan living and dining areas plus kitchenettes that include refrigerators, microwaves, ovens, washing machines, and tumble dryers. Executive Suites have two or three bedrooms, and full kitchens. The 115-square-meter (1,238-square-foot) Directors Suite has three double bedrooms, a large kitchen, and a corner balcony with views of the Sky Tower. Bathrooms are spacious, with white tiling and shower cubicles, plus tubs in premium rooms. Plenty of toiletries, white robes, and towels are provided. The hotel's central location means that street noise might be an issue in some rooms. 

This property has a good range of facilities, including a heated indoor pool, fitness center, and restaurant. The full-sized lap pool is slightly dated but clean, with plenty of space to relax after a day of sightseeing. A spacious fitness center has treadmills, cross trainers, and rowing machines, and a good selection of weights. The bright, airy on-site restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and there’s a separate bar and lounge area. The full buffet or a la carte breakfast includes hot food, pastries, toast, cereal, yogurts, fruit juices, and hot drinks (for a fee). Room service is available and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. On-site meeting rooms can be hired and valet parking is available for a fee.