Designed by architectural firm Warren & Mahoney, the $65 million Novotel Auckland Airport has debuted in New Zealand. The design references the country’s natural surroundings, culture, art, and heritage. The hotel is surrounded with distinctive indigenous plants, including Pohutakawa (or New Zealand Christmas) trees, while the triangular architectural features of the building are designed to reflect the bows of traditional Maori “waka” canoes. Meanwhile, a “living wall” of indigenous plans greets guests in the lobby.
New Zealand designers and artists were commissioned to produce items ranging from range from a vast, self-supporting spiral steel staircase in the lobby to a Maori-patterned Patiki screen in the restaurant, designed to represent abundance and “manaakitanga” (caring for people).
The hotel is also the first in the Pacific region to have the brand’s new NEXT concept guestroom, designed for spaciousness and freedom of movement. The bathroom is separated from the rest of the room by a transparent glass partition that can be covered by an internal privacy screen. In addition, double-glazed windows significantly reduce noise. Sustainability also informs the property, thanks to FSC-certified, sustainably harvested Southland maple beech, as well as efforts to reduce energy and water usage.
For F&B options, the Square restaurant offers all-day dining with individual dining pods for solo diners featuring private TV screens. There is also a separate private dining area for small groups. Other amenities at the hotel include a fitness center and meeting rooms.
