If you’re visiting Auckland for a holiday or doing business in the CBD you’ll want to try one of these great 4 star hotels in downtown Auckland City.
The 4 star cousin to the Skycity Grand Hotel. This is an exceptional hotel for anyone visiting Auckland. It stands out above all other 4 star hotels in Auckland. Offering all the same location benefits as Skycity Grand at a slightly lower price point. The rooms are almost as luxuriously appointed as it’s 5 star cousin.
It’s great for anyone traveling to Auckland for any length of stay, and because of its location and the high standard of facilities it’s popular with business travelers, couples and families of all ages. Skycity really does offer something for everyone. While you’re there don’t miss the views from the SkyTower, or the fabulous restaurants of Federal Street, Depot and Masu are my favorites.
Sudima Auckland City is a magnificent new (opened December 2020) 4 star hotel in Aucklands CBD. It’s in an excellent location near Sky City and the yet to be opened New Zealand Convention Centre. It’s a walkable distance from the Viaduct and it has a great rooftop bar. This is one of the best value hotels in Auckland right now.
M Social is a great 4 star hotel in Auckland right across the road from the Viaduct Harbour. Because it’s such a great location on Auckland’s waterfront many of the rooms have fabulous sea views.
It’s at the top end of 4 star hotels in Auckland, I’d almost call it a 5 star. With 190 rooms it’s quite large, perfect for families and couples. It’s really close to the Ferry Terminal, Britomart train station and obviously the Viaduct Harbour. This is a top quality 4 star hotel with a lot of activities located nearby. The only negative is it doesn’t have a pool.
This is an apartment hotel and doesn’t have all of the amenities you might expect from a quality 4 star hotel in Auckland. However it makes up for its lack of a restaurant, pool, and day spa with the best location of any 4 star hotel in Auckland. The Sebel is right in the heart of the Viaduct Harbour. Directly above some of Auckland’s finest restaurants. Don’t miss Soul Bar or Giraffe.
It can be a little noisy on weekend nights as it’s in the busiest part of the Viaduct. The higher the floor your room is on the less noise there is. No other 4 star hotel puts you into the action of the Viaduct Harbour nightlife like The Sebel.
This is the best located Hotel for the price in Auckland. It’s a Travelodge so it’s aimed and priced at the low end of 4 star but you could do so much worse for the price. This is in an incredible location. While it’s not quite on the viaduct it is a 2 minute walk to the Park Hyatt and 1 minute to The Sofitel. It’s got all of the restaurants of the Wynyard Quarter and the Viaduct within an easy walk. This is a great option if you are on a budget but want an awesome location.
Rydges Hotel is an excellent 4 star business hotel located on Auckland’s Federal Street. Because of it’s CBD location it’s a short walk to all the attractions in central Auckland.
A solid 4 star hotel, it provides comfortable rooms at a variety of price points ideal for business travellers with a medium budget looking for CBD Accommodation. Because they get so many business travelers most rooms contain a small desk suitable for computer work.
Opening in March 2021 Mercure Auckland Queen Street is a 4 star hotel in Auckland CBD. It’s priced at the value end of the 4 star market. Rooms are nice but small, the location is central but not premium. Mercure hotel has a restaurant and bar on the ground floor.
This 4 Star Hotel is located in Auckland CBD it’s a fairly short walk to the Viaduct and to the Sky Tower, however it’s a little further to Queen Street. It has a excellent heated rooftop pool making it a firm favorite with families. For serious swimmers it’s also got an indoor lap pool. Look out for their excellent school holiday deals.
This 4 Star Hotel is located in Auckland CBD. It’s a little older but really nice. It has a choice of 2 restaurants within the hotel. A great pool and a very grand lobby and lounge bar. This is at the higher end of 4 star hotels in Auckland and is great for business travelers, couples or families.
The Quadrant Hotel & Suites
The Quadrant Hotel and Suites is a adequate 4 star hotel at a reasonable price in a slightly off central location. next door to the 5 star Pullman, it’s in easy walking distance of all of downtown. And it’s really close to Auckland University.
In summary the Quadrant is a cost effective, clean, safe place to stay but not really a desirable place to stay. You don’t come here for a romantic getaway, you come because your budget won’t stretch to something nicer. There is nothing wrong with the hotel or the location but it won’t be the highlight of your trip. This hotel is just barely a 4 star.
Airedale Boutique Suites is 4 star hotel located on Queen Street in the Heart of Auckland City, this is a well priced hotel in a great location. It’s cheaper than many others that are located this central, and better appointed than most 4 star hotels that are cheaper. As such this is a great hotel choice for couples on a budget.
You walk out the front door of the Hotel onto the centre of Queen Street and all of Auckland CBD is a only a short walk away.
Having just completed a complete renovation and rebrand in January 2020 this hotel is great value at the moment as the rooms are fresh and new.
This is a really well priced 4 star hotel in Auckland CBD. It’s on the top end of Grey’s Ave close to the bars and clubs of Auckland’s K Road. It overlooks the picturesque Meyer’s park. If you stay at this hotel do not be tempted to walk through Meyers park alone at night.
Parkside hotel is great for couples. Its is a long walk to many of Auckland’s attractions and popular restaurant districts, but that is reflected in the price. One of Auckland’s best value 4 star hotels.
Don’t be fooled by the photos, the pool is very small not suitable for swimming laps. Although it might keep children entertained on a hot summer’s day.
VR Queen Street Hotel
Located near the top end of town the VR Queen Street Hotel is a lower priced 4 star hotel. It’s still in the Auckland CBD but it’s at the top end of Queen Street. If your holidaying here you can still walk anywhere in Auckland Central, but you’ll find it’s is a bit of a hike back up the hill to your hotel. Consider it part of your fitness regime and you won’t mind so much.
The hotel itself is at the bottom end of Auckland’s 4 star hotels, you’ll be staying here because of the price, or lack of vacancy at other hotels, but it’s actually a nice enough place to spend a few days. It’s close to K Roads bars and nightclubs which may be an attraction for some. You’re also close to the Town Hall and Aotea square if you choose to stay at VR Queen Street.
Located on K Road in the top of Auckland’s CBD, the 4 star Haka Hotel is in a different part of town to any of the other Central Hotels. K’Road is known for its vibrant nightlife with plenty of bars and nightclubs expect some noise and plenty of drunken idiots on the streets on a Friday or Saturday night. This is a great location if you’re one of the drunken idiots.
The hotel itself is really nice. It’s still pretty new (as of 2019) and things are well maintained. It’s perfect for younger travellers. Reviews are generally very good which can be hard to maintain for a cheaper hotel. Haka Hotel is a well priced 4 star hotel in a location that won’t suit everyone but for some the location will be part of the attraction. It’s walking distance to anywhere if you are fit. Even Eden Park is only 20 minutes walk. Ponsonby is closeby and the Viaduct is a pleasant 30 minute downhill stroll. Less fit visitors might want to take a bus or uber back.
Positioned at the lower end of 4 star hotels on the border of 3 star, it’s currently the best hotel in it’s price point in Auckland.
CityLife is a 4 star hotel in a central location on Auckland Queen Street. It’s a 15 minute walk to Viaduct Harbour down Auckland’s main street. Rooms range from simple and functional to the extravagant Penthouse suite. If you have business in the CBD and are on a moderate budget this is a great option.
Four Points by Sheraton is a clean modern 4 star hotel on Aucklands Queen Street. It offers spectacular views from rooms on high floors. The location is great. It’s a 15-20 minute walk to Viaduct Harbour and 5 minutes to the Sky Tower, but there is plenty to see and do close by as well. Aotea Centre is a 1 minute walk and Auckland City’s excellent art gallery is also close by. This is a great option for any business trip.
Copthorne Hotel Auckland is 4 star hotel in Auckland’s downtown area. It’s a little further out than some other options, but it is a pleasant hotel in walking distance of the city centre. It’s very close to Auckland University. The hotel has a small conference centre. It’s quite a walk to Auckland’s bars and restaurants from here, so you may end up spending more on taxis here than in other locations.
Avani Metropolis Auckland Residences is an apartment hotel. The rooms are studio, 1 bedroom of 2 bedroom apartments with cooking facilities. The hotel has access to the buildings gym and pools which are excellent.
Avani Hotel is between Kitchener Street and High Street which is an excellent central location. The Hotel itself has no restaurant but there are many excellent restaurants on High Street. Vivace Restaurant is not to be missed. Or a short walk will take you to Cassia, Auckland’s best equal restaurant in 2019.
The Sebel Quay West is an upmarket 4 star apartment style hotel. The rooms are more generous than some other apartment hotels and they have plenty of 2 bedroom suites perfect for families. The rooms all have full kitchens so great for those who fancy doing some cooking while on holiday. If you don’t fancy cooking there is a cafe on the first floor of the hotel that offers breakfast and lunch and you are only 300 metres from Auckland’s waterfront so there is no shortage of restaurants to choose from. Britomart and the viaduct are both within easy walking distance.
4 Star Hotels Auckland Airport
We’ve found best 4 star hotels located near Auckland Airport.
Novotel Auckland Airport is 4 star hotel is right next to Auckland International Airport Terminal. It’s great if your in Auckland for 1 night and need to catch an early flight. There are plenty of rental car options and it’s always easy to get a taxi from the airport. If your business trip is for several nights you might enjoy something more central.
Jet Park is a solid 4 star hotel in with a large modern conference centre. It’s perfect for business travellers and company conferences. Close to the Auckland Airport and the surrounding business park. It also has excellent access to Auckland’s industrial heartland.
The rooms are well kept and reasonably priced. If you’re in Auckland for a couple of nights and most of your meetings are out of the CBD this is a great option. The restaurant is excellent however, if you want to try something else there’s not a lot of other dining options in this part of Auckland. If you’re here for a long stay you’d be better off in one of the 4 star hotels in Auckland CBD.
Holiday Inn is a 4 star hotel is close to the Airport and Auckland’s main industrial areas. Meaning it’s great for one or two nights if your meetings are out of the CBD. It’s a long way to the North Shore so if you’re planning meetings in Albany look for something in Takapuna instead.
Sudima is a typical Airport hotel. Rated 4 star, it’s nice enough for short stay. Clean and well maintained. Great for those on a layover, flight crews and business travellers. Sandwiched between a major road and an industrial estate, it’s nice enough inside and is close to the airport, which will be the reason you’re staying here. If you don’t want to eat in the hotel restaurant you’ll need to uber to find something else as there’s nothing close by.
4 Star Hotels in North Shore
Spencer on Byron is a 4 star hotel in Takapuna. It’s located a short walk from Takapuna beach, very close to shops, restaurants, and bars. The hotel has a tennis court and large heated pool. It’s by far the tallest building in the area and therefore has spectacular views if you have a room on a high floor.
These factors combine to make Spencer on Byron one of the best 4 star Hotels in Auckland. It’s certainly the best on the North Shore.
4 Star Hotels in Panmure
The 4 star Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre is located on the Panmure Lagoon, an extinct volcanic crater that is now a tidal lagoon. When the tide is in the view is beautiful, when the tides right out it’s not quite so nice. Panmure lagoon has a 3km public running/walking track around it making it great for an evening jog.
The location is close to Auckland largest industrial areas, so is popular with sales people and business travellers. Their conference centre is one of Auckland’s largest, so this hotel is a popular conference venue.
It has plenty of free parking if you have a rental car, otherwise take a taxi as public transport isn’t great in this part of Auckland.
The hotel has its own pool but serious swimmers will enjoy the nearby Lagoon Leisure Centre which offers a large indoor swimming pool. While the hotel restaurant is fine, there are more lively bars and restaurants at the nearby Sylvia Park mall.
4 Star Hotels in South Auckland
The 4 star Sebel Hotel Manukau is a brand new hotel. There’s plenty of parking, and it’s close to many mid priced family restaurants like Lonestar. It’s also really close to Rainbows End, Wero White Water Park and the Manukau Shopping Centre. Because of these factors it’s great for families visiting Auckland from other New Zealand towns and cities.
It’s got excellent access to the motorway when you want to go into the CBD allow an hour at peak times for traffic. Due to the location in Manukau it’s considerably cheaper than other 4 star hotels in Auckland’s more desirable locations.
4 Star Hotels in Ellerslie
Novotel Ellerslie is located on the border of Ellerslie and Greenlane, just off the Southern motorway. As such this 4 star hotel is central to Auckland’s industrial areas as well as being very close to the ASB Showgrounds Auckland main exhibition centre. This makes it perfect for sales people visiting clients in the industrial areas, or exhibitors at one of Auckland’s many industry focused shows (usually held at the Auckland Showgrounds in Greenlane).
Novotel Ellerslie is a clean modern 4 star hotel at a reasonable price. Just 15 minutes drive from the CBD, and built on the edge of the Ellerslie horse race course grounds. It’s a great spot for any business traveller who doesn’t need to be in the CBD.
4 Star Hotels in West Auckland
Situated in the idyllic Waitakere Ranges on Scenic Drive, Waitakere Estate is a 4 star hotel is set in native forest with views back towards the city. Due to its location it’s a great weekend escape from the hussle and bussle of Auckland’s CBD or an escape from the suburbs for Auckland couples.
There is plenty to see and do in this part of Auckland. In particular Piha beach is not to be missed. While the Waitakere Ranges also have some fantastic walking tracks. So why not swap the noise of the city for the soothing sound of birdsong and relax for a night or two.
Be sure to ask for a room in the new wing. Because while the location is stunning the hotel itself is not as grand as it looks in photos. It’s a great place, but keep your expectations in check, this is at the mid level of 4 star hotels in Auckland.
What’s the difference between a 3 star and a 4 star hotel in Auckland?
A 3 star hotel should have everything you need. While a 4 star hotel in New Zealand on the other hand must go beyond mere needs, and provide the extras that you want to make your stay really special.
So what should you expect from a 4 star hotel in Auckland?
To really be 4 star a hotel should have most of the following
- Restaurant of reasonable standard
- Lounge Bar
- Room service
- A concierge
- Generous room sizes
- Quality modern fittings and furnishings
- Quality communal spaces
- High standard of cleanliness
- Pleasant ambience (it should feel nice)
- Location you want to be in
- Heated swimming pool
- Gym or fitness centre
- Free Wifi
- Conference centre and meeting rooms
- TV with sports and movies in every room
- Air conditioning
You shouldn’t expect all 4 star hotels will have everything on this list, but to be genuinely 4 star they should have most of them. There’s also an intangible something that elevates a hotel from 3 star to 4 star, when you are in a 4 star hotel hotel it should feel like a nice place to be for an average middle class family or middle management business traveler.
Why choose a 4 star hotel?
4 star hotels are typically closer to where you want to be than 3 star hotels which are often further away. A 4 star hotel will also tend to have features like free wifi built into the price. This can save you money by including optional extras as standard. You’ll also usually save time and money on transport as you’ll usually be a short walk from the activities and events you want to see while in Auckland. Finally you’ll enjoy your holiday more if you stay in a 4 star hotel with all the facilities you want.
So choose your hotel wisely. A quality 4 star hotel in Auckland will make a big difference to your holiday in New Zealand.