AWOL’s Guide To The Real Auckland
Where To Stay
Get a short-term rental in one of the central suburbs (Ponsonby, Grey Lynn) and get to know your neighbourhood. There are good bars and cafes within walking distance almost anywhere in the city fringe. For more traditional accommodations:
CHEAP AS CHIPS
If you don’t mind sharing a room, the YHA (18 Liverpool Street) is clean, comfortable and meters away from Queen Street and K Road. It’s as nice as you’re going to get for the money.
Prices from: $27/night
WON’T BREAK THE BANK
If you’re here in the summertime, have hired a car, and don’t care about staying in the city, the Takapuna Beach Holiday Park (22 The Promenade, Takapuna) on Auckland’s North Shore is ridiculously good value. It’s a traditional campground and caravan park, but on a multi-million dollar plot of land right next to a beautiful beach. Plus, right behind you is a great cafe and the best ice-cream in the city.
Prices from: $72/night (assuming you don’t have a caravan)
TREAT YOURSELF
If you want to push the boat out a little, Hotel DeBrett (2 High Street) is a heritage building renovated into a boutique hotel. It’s the perfect inner city location, with a bar that does it right. The restaurant is OK but not amazing, so grab dinner elsewhere and return for a whiskey nightcap or two.
Prices from: $250/night
Up next: How To Get Around
