It was one of those early spring days where it looked warmer than it was. But upon checking into The Hotel Britomart late-afternoon, it was as though we had left the chill at the door and allowed ourselves to be enveloped by the hotel’s serene, soft embrace with tactical details to be admired at every turn. From its exterior of hand-made bricks to its beautifully timber-lined rooms, a staycation at this inner-city destination always feels like a restorative retreat from the bustling world around us.
Inside the guest bedrooms, an array of premium gifts to elevate the stay awaited, including soon-to-be launched sleepwear from local label Laing Home, a personalised necklace from Sophie Store with dainty initials hanging from its fine chain, a generously appointed tote bag full of Joico hair care, Murad’s highest-performing skincare products and the latest issue of Fashion Quarterly, of course.
The first item on our itinerary following check-in was to meet in kingi Private, the restaurant’s private dining space which sits adjacent to the main dining area, where mixed media artist Anahita Paul would be hosting a workshop of sorts. Before descending from our rooms, we changed into our evening attire and adorned our final touches (the aforementioned necklace from Sophie Store, and a spritz of Joico’s Humidity Blocker Protective Finishing Spray didn’t go amiss), and united in the restaurant. The expansive raw-edged swamp kauri table was lined with magazines, paua shell pieces, glue sticks and scissors. It was time to get creative.
At first, we were uneasy tearing pages out of the magazine. It wasn’t before long that our eyes scanned each page through a new lens, lifting inspiration, cutting, layering, and fashioning collages that brought our favourite imagery to life. Allowing ourselves to lean into experimentation, the hour passed in record time and we got to stand back and admire our collective efforts.
Before dinner could be prepared, the private dining room was, understandably, in need of a hard reset. We took the lift upstairs to The Libraries and congregated around the loft-like Wine Library where a specially-crafted ‘Purple Lady’ cocktail was served alongside two delectable canapé options.
Resuming the itinerary, it was time for dinner back in kingi Private. The table had been transformed into a springtime setting featuring green and ivory gingham place settings with pink scalloped edges by Same Time Tomorrow with napkins cinched with soft suede pink ribbons to match. Taking our places, a series of courses prepared by the chef trickled out of the glass larder kitchen. Dishes with paua sausage rolls, smoked swordfish, kumara sourdough, fresh asparagus, and Ohau wagyu scotch (to name a few) were delicately placed in front of us and swiftly devoured alongside expert wine pairings. We shared stories that spanned all degrees of seriousness and silliness before retiring to our rooms for some much needed rest.
We washed the day away with Murad’s gentle but oh-so-effective skincare before slipping into a fresh Laing sleepwear and running Joico’s Defy Damage Sleepover Overnight Nourishing Treatment through our tresses. Name a better feeling, we’ll wait.
The next morning, we rose to another clear spring day. Taking our sweet time to get moving, enjoying the Studio Red herbal tea in our rooms overlooking picture-framed views of the Waitemata Harbour, this slow start was the perfect time to give our Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Masks a whirl, leaving us with plump, hydrated under eyes before getting dressed and heading down to the restaurant for breakfast. Spoiled for choice, kingi restaurant offered a beautiful spread of options. Plus, there was a small jar of fruit with coconut yoghurt and a pastry to accompany our morning coffee while our mains were being prepared. Another lovely touch we won’t forget anytime soon.
Next, it was time to check out. With our adrenals suitably subdued and our heads clear following a luxuriously deep slumber, it was a wrap on another FQ Sleepover. Bring on spring.
Acknowledgements
To our generous partners who helped bring finesse and finery to our Spring Sleepover, we thank you. The Hotel Britomart, Caci, Joico Australia, Laing Home, Sophie Store and Same Time Tomorrow.
And to our beautiful guests who graced us with your presence (you know who you are), we hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we did making it.
