Well the reviews of this place are pretty uneven, part of the reason is the it just recently changed from a hostel to a boutique hotel.
The decor is definitely European which befits the M Gallery branding it now has as part of the Accor chain. The staff on our first visit was just getting the hang of things, but on the latest one, they seemed to really have it down.
The hotel is busy Queen Street, but because the lobby is set back and there are sliding glass doors, it seems like an oasis. When you enter, you actually can sit down in front of two desks and that is check in. A really nice touch is a house made tea they prepare for arriving guests. Ours was a refreshing fruit tea. This harkens back to the day when it was a tea house.
It is only seven stories and the hotel is built around a massive spiral stair case, it is fun to walk down from your room and feel like you are in the 1920s.
The rooms themselves have been extensively renovated. The standard room is quite small (but a good value). But the larger suites are very nice. The bathrooms are new, with a massive rain forrest shower head, and the entire place is clean and well lit. We also really appreciate the air conditioning on the hot days that can happen in Auckland.
You can get a breakfast package and Cooke's down below is actually a great place for that and a bite to eat later. We didn't try it, but have also heard their afternoon tea is great. read more