[dphillview]

Hi everyone

I need to book some accommodation for my family (Pete, Me and twin 3yr old girls) for when we arrive in Auckland in Jan, and was wondering if anyone has stayed at the following places, and if so would you recommend them. We are only planning on staying for 3 nights, then hope to make our way down to Hawkes Bay.

1. Barrycourt Motel based in Parnell www.barrycourt.co.nz

2. SeaBreeze Motel in Herne Bay www.seabreeze.co.nz

3. Acapulco Motel Herne Bay www.acapulcomotel.co.nz

We're only staying long enough to take in a few sights and sort out bank accounts etc, then we're hoping to buy a car or hire one and poodle on down to Napier...should be fun with loads of baggage, 2 car seats and twin girls.....NOT!!! :shock: :shock:

Many thanks

[Wannaway]

Hi Debs and Pete,

I notice no one has been able to reply to your question. Unfortunately we didn't stay at any of these places but I shall try to get over to a few of them in the next week or so if it will help and have a look around. My main advice is get somewhere that is quiet - don't expect double glazing or any jkind of soundproofing here. We stayed in the CBD, right on Queen St and it was awful, kids frightened by noise etc which we were not used to. I shall look them up and let you know re location for noise etc if you want. When are you due here?
Nicky

[Rimbo]

Nicky,
I too will be popping over soon with a friend (so i require rooms with 2 beds). I am doing a job search and because of the timings i can't book anything in advance as i have no idea where and when i will be at any specific time. the only thing for sure is that i will arrive in AKL on 1st feb and will need a base for 2-3 days.
therefore i too will be very interested what you come up with.
:nice1
It is most likely that we make our way down the east coast of the North Island for the first week or two stopping in Tauranga, Rotura, Gisborne, Napier, Hastings, Wellington.
I would also be interested in any advice/experiences that others have.
Is accomodation easy to find on spec?

Thanks in advance. :cheers

John

[Wannaway]

Hi all,

When I came over for a week for interviews last September, in Auckland I stayed at a place called Aspen House Hotel in Emily Place, Auckland, which is less than 5 mins walk from the CBD (and therefore central buses, trains - such as they are, and other amenities). It is a "boutique" B&B, which I think basically means it its somewhere between a backpackers place and a conventional B&B. I had a double room, cost me about NZ$99 per night bed & breakfast (offpeak). Breakfast was self serve, so you could fill yourself up! They have a large shared kitchen, so you can prepare food for lunch etc (might be worth checking that though because I ate out for convenience). The place was very comfortable, central and relatively cheap given location. The room had a decent shower & toilet, TV, hairdryer. I am not one for slumming it and I was surprised at how comfy the place was given the price. Most of the clientele staying there when I was there was your 20 something and older couples etc, as opposed to say your gap year types. If you are looking for somewhere central in Auckland, just as a base and want to conserve a bit of cash, I would have no hesitation in recommending it. You can call them on +64 9 379 6633 or check them out via a search on the web.

As regards eating, you can eat out relatively cheap. For instance, the foodcourt at Westfield Downtown in the city centre has a food court that has a wide range (fast, chinese, indian, japanese, italian etc). A good sized indian curry would cost about $8 and will keep you going for most of the day. One tip for carnivores like me, if you like good quality chicken, you might struggle to get it here. Beef and lamb (of course) is really good quality here, and cheaper compared to the UK, but generally speaking the chicken here is,er, foul (sorry!). Don't know about pork, haven't tried it although a couple of kiwis I know have said British pork is better, so there you go.

From the city centre, you can do all the usual tourist stuff, Sky Tower, museums plus day trips to Rangitoto Island, Waiheke Island and the western beaches (where we are going today - looking forward to that!). The bus service is pretty good here (it has to be, trains are not good).

Otherwise, I would suggest a search on the internet. Remember, it is holiday season here now, you should be alright with Auckland, but the sooner you book the better I should think.

Let me know if you need any further info etc.

Lee

[dphillview]

Hi Wannaway

Happy new year to you and yours :cheers

Many thanks for the kind offer, I've kinda got a good feeling for the Acapulco Motel for a couple of reasons, so have just booked a few nights with them ....

We ae due in on the 23rd Jan, a family of 4 (2 adults and twin girls ages 3) :eek : eek :eek :eek

Not looking forward to the flight and was hoping to get some accomodation booked that was recommended..but never mind..

IF you do happen to go passed the Acapulco Motel, 20 Shelly Beach Road, Herne Bay..I would be very grateful for your comments...but please...I don't want to put you out..so only if you're in the area.. :angel :angel


Thanks and all the best for 2005

Debs
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[Wannaway]

Hi Debs,

We will take a look next time we pass there, its about 10 mins from where we live in Pt Chevalier and on the way to the centre. We probably go past Shelly Beach Road three or four times a week!

Shelly Beach Road is one of the access roads to the Northern Highway, so we will have a look to make sure you are not looking right out over the rush hour traffic.

Lee & Nicky

[Rimbo]

Thanks,
:nice1
The B&B and location sounds good, I'll check it out.
Curry for $8...Mmmmmmm I'm gonna get fat! :eek

John

[Wannaway]

Hi Debs & Pete,

Checked out the Acapulco Motel on the way back from the North Shore earlier today. Looks fine from the outside, looks like there are a few motel type places in Shelly Beach Road. You are a bit of a way from the CBD and Queen Street, a good 20-30 min walk I would say. Not sure if the free Link bus goes nearby, it might do as Shelly Beach Rd is quite close to Ponsonby Rd, which itself is a reasonable shopping area. If you are hiring a car as soon as you arrive then you will have no problems.

Let us know if you need anything else, its no hassle.

Lee & Nicky

[funkstar deluxe]

Hi,
we'll be AKL from 17th Jan. We are staying at the Herne Bay B&B which is 4, Shelly Beach Road. Although i cant comment on the Acapulco I know the road is fairly quiet but really close to great places to eat/drink and only 10 mins into central AKL by the link bus which is $1.30 for anyway on its circular route.

Enjoy

[dphillview]

Many thanks for that Lee & Nicky :nice1 :nice1 ...guess we'll find out for ourselves soon enough :eek :eek

We arrive on a Sunday, so at the moment the plan is to get the Shuttle bus from outside the airport (apparently they know where to drop off for the Acapulco Motel..so the owners say!) then crash out. Hopefully Monday we'll try and hire a car for a couple of days, but we're really hoping to buy one whilst in Auckland..but we'll see how it goes.
The owners at the Acapulco reckon the link bus does run from there to the city centre, so hopefully will give it a go at some stage.

So thanks again, and thanks Funkstar Deluxe for your reply too!

Take care everyone

Debs
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