Usually, I like staying at a chain or a boutique hotel. Chain hotels allow me to earn points and hotel status. That’s what this blog is all about after all — earning miles and points! I also love staying in boutique hotels.
Adina Apartment Hotel – Auckland, NZ
In this series:
- Introduction: New Year 2020 In The South Pacific
- Turkish Airlines Business Class 777-300ER Los Angeles to Istanbul
- Turkish Airlines Business Class 777-300ER Istanbul to Manila
- Malaysia Airlines Business Class 737-800 Manila to Singapore via Kuala Lumpur
- Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Satellite Terminal – Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL)
- Jewel Changi Airport
- Qantas International First Lounge – Singapore Changi (SIN)
- Qantas First Class A380 Singapore to Melbourne
- Qantas International First Lounge – Melbourne (MEL)
- Qantas Business Class 737-800 Melbourne to Christchurch
- Doubletree Chateau on the Park – Christchurch, New Zealand
- Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Tour Around the City
- Getting Lost in the Countryside: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
- Air New Zealand Domestic Lounge – Christchurch (CHC)
- Air New Zealand (Premium) Economy 787-9 Christchurch to Auckland
- My First Impression of Auckland, New Zealand
- Adina Apartment Hotel Auckland Britomart, New Zealand
- The North Island Must Do: Hobbiton and Rotorua
- Fiji Airways Business Class A350-900XWB Auckland to Nadi
- Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa – Nadi, Fiji
- Fiji Airways Business Class A330-200 Nadi to Singapore
- Malaysia Airlines Business Class 737-800 Singapore to Kuala Lumpur
- Malindo Air Business Class 737-900 Kuala Lumpur to Kathmandu
- Shopping Spree in Thamel – Kathmandu, Nepal
- Cathay Dragon Business Class A330-300 Kathmandu to Hong Kong
- 16-Hour Delay on my American Airlines, with a Happy Ending
- Cathay Pacific First Class 777-300ER Hong Kong to Los Angeles
- Fin: Final Flights and My Closure with American Airlines – It was Good While It Lasted
That’s said, I tend to be less picky about accommodation when I travel alone. I’m a decent planner, but admittedly, I didn’t plan well this time around. I made a costly mistake twice, and by far, this was the most extended trip I’ve ever been — 16 days away from home!
After going over budget, I thought I’d stay somewhere relatively affordable. That’s when I decided to stay at the Adina Apartment Hotel in Auckland. The hotel was centrally located in Auckland CBD near the wharf. The nightly rate was reasonably priced around 100 USD per night, though the idea of staying in an apartment hotel didn’t thrill me.
SkyBus – Bus to Auckland City
Upon arrival in Auckland on my Air New Zealand flight, I took the SkyBus to the city center. The process was relatively easy, and I highly recommend that. The bus dropped off Customs Street across the US Consulate General, about 750 meters from the hotel.
Adina Apartment Hotel – Auckland, NZ
Quite a few people were checking in when I arrived. It took me about 15 minutes until it was my turn. Apparently, they were having technical difficulty with the keycard access system, so they had to key me in using the master key until the issue got resolved — no big deal.
Adina Apartment Hotel – Check-In
To my surprise, the room was spacious, clean, and tidy! For some reason, in my mind, apartment hotels would be condo units that were individually managed by their owners — just like bed and breakfast.
Adina Apartment Hotel – King Bed Room
As you enter the room, you’ll see a kitchenette and a refrigerator, microwave, toaster, electric kettle, and a cabinet supplied with basic dinnerware and silverware.
Adina Apartment Hotel – Kitchenette
And then to the left, there was a small living room with a couple of pieces of Ikea-like furniture like sofa, coffee table, and bistro set.
Adina Apartment Hotel – Living Room
The bed was comfortable, and the view wasn’t bad either, but there is nothing to see other than an office building across the street.
The bathroom was clean and nothing fancy, but it was more than what I needed.
Adina Apartment Hotel – Bathroom
Basic toiletries by Enriched were also provided.
Adina Apartment Hotel – Toiletries
Finally, I also checked out the fitness room, but who really got time for working out while on vacation?! 😉
Adina Apartment Hotel – Fitness Room
Conclusion
I was pleasantly surprised. I typically never really considered staying in an apartment hotel. Not that it’s terrible or anything, it’s just that I prefer a place managed by a company rather than its owner. But was I totally wrong. I have to say Adina Apartment Hotel exceeded my expectations. It wasn’t a luxury hotel by any means, but it was more than what I needed. As long as the room is clean, I’m all for it.
