[QF009]

The Westin Auckland-Lighter Quay
Viaduct Harbour



I was v happy when this hotel opened last year, as Auckland has had no Starwood properties till then, after the Sheraton turned into the Langham. This hotel has a v nice location on the Viaduct. It is near plenty of v good restos and cafes, and has a beautiful waterfront setting.

I arrived at about 0030 and a very good looking bell hop sprang out to help with my bags. Got an upgrade to a Junior Suite, which had a v large bathroom. The v minimalist decor was soothing after the extremely long day I had. The Heavenly Bed at this property was one of the most comfy beds I've ever slept on anywhere in the world! It had a v soft mattress, just the way I like it.





Like I mentioned the bathroom was huge and had seperate bath/showers. The shower stall was generously sized. I personally prefer a standalone shower stall as I always feel iffy about falling down (especially when hungover) in one of those combined bath/shower type things.It featured the usual generic Westin toiletries, IMO premium-brand toiletries would've been nice like what features in similar room categories at lots of properties in Asia.



The rest of the hotel also features a rather contemporary and minimalist decor, with a Maori accent. I love the Westin's clean and sharp feel, the Westin is my favourite Starwood brand after the Ws and the art/tech LMs.

[QF009]

Didn't experience too much of the service to comment on it extensively, but the staff I've dealt with were pleasant enough.

I'd woken up too late for brekkies at Q Restaurant, but the cafe Toast made a mean Eggs Benedict with salmon and sauteed spinach as well as awesome soy latte.

I thoroughly enjoyed my short stay here. Pity it was too short a stay, as the flight delay had reduced my stay to less than 12 hours. Deffo my property of choice on my next visit to Auckland!

[ioki]

the pictures you've taken of the westin strikes me as they seem to be very similar to the hilton auckland's decor!! uncanny!

[Homer]

I stayed at this hotel for two nights back in April, in a Junior Suite. It is nice and new as you point out - and a cut above the Hilton which is showing a little bit of its age now.

However I found the service was pretty terrible. The check-in staff were arrogant and the "concierge" desk was staffed by a succession of pimply teenagers with less local knowledge than me (and I only visit AKL a few times each year).

But the silliest incident was that an American guest was complaining about the fact that he didn't get an upgrade on check-in, and he was doing this loudly in the executive lounge on the top floor so that everyone else could hear. The hotel manager placated him by offering him a half-priced dinner in the hotel restaurant for 4 people, plus a free bottle of wine. Then later, when my wife and I were dining in the hotel restaurant, the manager walked in and complained about the (previously complaining) guest to a waitress. It was terribly amateurish and I felt embarrassed for them.

Still, I'd stay there again too...even just to see if they are still working out how to run a hotel...

[QF009]

Originally Posted by Homer

I stayed at this hotel for two nights back in April, in a Junior Suite. It is nice and new as you point out - and a cut above the Hilton which is showing a little bit of its age now.

However I found the service was pretty terrible. The check-in staff were arrogant and the "concierge" desk was staffed by a succession of pimply teenagers with less local knowledge than me (and I only visit AKL a few times each year).

But the silliest incident was that an American guest was complaining about the fact that he didn't get an upgrade on check-in, and he was doing this loudly in the executive lounge on the top floor so that everyone else could hear. The hotel manager placated him by offering him a half-priced dinner in the hotel restaurant for 4 people, plus a free bottle of wine. Then later, when my wife and I were dining in the hotel restaurant, the manager walked in and complained about the (previously complaining) guest to a waitress. It was terribly amateurish and I felt embarrassed for them.

Still, I'd stay there again too...even just to see if they are still working out how to run a hotel...

Eeek.... thankfully no pimply and clueless teenagers at the concierge desk for moi.

It would be far more productive to report denial of benefits (whether actual or imagined) to SPG Corporate Customer Service - the property actually gets fined if after an investigation the guest's complaint is verified. Last time the Sheraton Sydney tried to give me a park view room when there was an exec suite available (checked online after I got into my room) - i emailed corp cust svc and CCed the GM. Turns out the property was corporate owned, and the GM is also SVP of Starwood Asia Pacific. I got upgraded immediately to a v large suite that was way bigger than the Select Standard Suite upgrade PLTs get...

[sr81]

Stayed here about two weeks ago and was upgraded to a corner room on the third floor that looked very similar to QF009's photos. Had no idea it was a junior suite though the GF was quite taken with the view and the size of the shower.

In all it was an OK hotel. I found the service was slooooow from the house staff but the bar staff were a step above. The man making cocktails on Friday night rocked and knew how a good shaken should be going on!

Auckland Fashion Week (not an oxymoron) was taking place during our stay and I was continually frustrated by the lack of attention staff paid to paying guests. They seemed more concerned with these posers who weren't even staying there. Simple things like porters and hailing taxi's took way to long.

Upon my return to MEL I was sent a kind letter from the duty manager informing me that my mini-bar usage had not been added to the original bill and that I owed them an additional NZD150. 'I have gone ahead and charged your credit card this fee'. No you f'n don't! The mini-bar list was everything in the mini-bar, one kit-kat, one Corona, one light beer, one coke etc....

Thankfully one phone call at 9am MEL time resolved the problem and the charge removed.

I liked the propety but they seem to be missing the 1%'s. I would stay here again as I like to location and layout of the propety.

[QF009]

According to someone on SQTalk, there've apparently been reports of guests falling into the ground level water features at this properties.

[Febs]

Thanks for the report. Found out today I have to go to Auckland next week, and this place is on our preferred hotels list. Whoo.

Originally Posted by QF009

According to someone on SQTalk, there've apparently been reports of guests falling into the ground level water features at this properties.

Are the ground-level water features near the bar by any chance?

[QF009]

Originally Posted by Febs

Are the ground-level water features near the bar by any chance?

Not that I recall, but the hotel is on the Viaduct. I can see how that's easy to do after a night out at the Viaduct.

[ANstar]

I agree that service can be a bit slow and missing in some cases with this hotel.
Have only stayed about 4 times in the past 12 months but each visit has had some sort of service issue.

On our last visit, we noticed dirty room service trays along the corridor at around 10am. We came back to our room at 7pm and noticed the same trays sitting there plus more from through out the day. I thought it strange as our room had been made up, os staff had obviously been on the floor.

On our way out for the evening (about 9) the trays were still there so I mentioned it to reception upon leaving. They said oh we will send someone up to clear them. I questioned why the room service poeple who had been since or the maids could not have done this early - the response - not their job. I then questioned why they couldnt have got the right people to do it then - response not their job again!

Not really the right attitude!