It’s something that most of us are guilty of a least once in the past: leaving the hunt for the perfect Mother’s Day gift until the last minute. And while it doesn’t mean that we love our mums any less, that last-minute search to find a special gift often results in the all-too-predictable bouquet or mum’s go-to fragrance.
But this year – with a bit of help from our friends at Booking.com – that doesn’t have to be the case. Even if you’ve only just got the memo that Mother’s Day is, in fact, this Sunday, treating mum to an unforgettable experience that she’ll remember for years to come is just a mouse click away.
Booking is straightforward and with a wide selection of stunning properties on offer – as well as great cancellation policies if the unexpected happens – the only tricky part will be deciding on which weekend escape to treat your mum to.
To make the decision a little easier, Fashion Quarterly spent a night at Park Hyatt Auckland – one of the breathtaking hotels you can book via Booking.com.
Inside Auckland’s newest luxury accommodation offering
While Auckland has is spoilt for choice with a handful of hotels and boutique accommodation spots opening their doors over the last year or so, the Park Hyatt takes the cake as far as luxury is concerned. It’s also, hands down, one of the best-positioned hotels in the city: walking distance to the fabulous new retail and dining experience that is Commercial Bay and seconds away from Auckland’s glittering Viaduct.
And although the vibrant heart of Auckland’s CBD is just footsteps away, the Park Hyatt’s world-class facilities means that you and mum can choose to explore or stay put all weekend long and indulge in some serious pampering and fine dining.
Room with a view
For views of Auckland’s stunning Waitematā harbour, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a hotel better positioned to soak up the jewel of our largest city. When booking, make sure to snap up a Harbour Suite bedroom – if they’re not all taken! The hotel’s prime position means you’ll wake up to dramatic sunrises over the Viaduct and Rangitoto Island.
A truly international hotel, the Park Hyatt’s suites offer a cosmopolitan experience with contemporary decor accented by gorgeous timber furnishings. If you’re feeling like a lie-in, the 4k TV and well-stocked mini bar elevate bingeing a few episodes from a guilty pleasure to an indulgent experience. And then there’s the Harbour Suite’s generously sized harbour-facing soaking tub – the perfect place to begin a weekend of relaxation.
Time to unwind
The quickest way to ease into a relaxing urban getaway is by indulging in a spa treatment. The Park Hyatt’s gorgeous spa facility is modestly named The Spa, but don’t let the lack of branding pretension fool you – this spa is one of the city’s best.
Whether it’s just a quick pick-me-up your mum is after, or you want to treat her to something more indulgent, The Spa’s treatment offering has something that caters to all of your pampering needs and desires. The Active Haute Couture Facial might be just 30-minutes long, but this serious treatment doesn’t sacrifice results. Thanks to a thorough double cleanse and exfoliating micro-peel, skin is left well hydrated and radiant. Consider opting for the Time Essentials Delight to experience the Active Haute Couture Facial plus fragonia and bergamot scalp and head treatment and hot stone back massage.
Regardless of whether a spa treatment is on the cards or not, Park Hyatt’s state-of-the-art fitness centre is well worth a visit for a workout. Then there’s the breathtaking hydrotherapy area. Equipped with an aroma steam room, sauna and vitality pools, as well as a 25-metre covered infinity pool, this space is made for relaxing.
Take a seat at the bar
Whether you want to cosy up by the fire or embrace the night on the harbourside terrace, the Park Hyatt’s Captain’s Bar provides the perfect spot to kick off the evening – or bring it to a close with a late night cap.
With a small tapas menu (the baked brie with handmade cranberry relish is a must) and a great drinks menu, the Captain’s Bar provides a sophisticated spot for great conversation and a warm atmosphere.
Dine in style
The Park Hyatt’s premier restaurant is Onemata, which means ‘rich soil’ – a fitting name for a restaurant showcasing the best of Aotearoa provenance.
In keeping with that theme, the dinner menu is rustic. The hero dishes centre on seasonal produce sourced locally across the country. We can vouch for the Ōra king salmon fillet and the Hawke’s Bay wagyu bavette; both served to melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
Again, maximising this hotel’s fabulous positioning, Onemata restaurant has some of the best views of any dining establishment you’ll find in the city. To enjoy this to full effect, head down mid-morning (after a leisurely sleep-in, of course) to sample their brunch menu and enjoy the harbour views from the dining terrace.
To treat your mum this Mother’s Day and book her a memorable stay at one of Booking.com’s properties click here.
