[dilanium]

I'm looking for an inexpensive place to stay in central Auckland to stay for one night after a concert in the Vector Arena (NIN). Anyone have good recommendations? I would prefer a hotel to a hostel but really it's for the night and then we'll be driving back home.

Thanks!

[kanatakiwi]

Havent stayed at this place but its very close to the Arena, photos look fine, its cheap (about $80 a night for room with private bathroom) and rough guide says its great value for downtown city hotel.
Its called the Arena Hotel, 131 Beach Road, it sued t be called Auckland city Hotel. Literally on the back door of the Arena.
http://www.aucklandcityhotel.co.nz/

good luck, hope this helps.
gloria

[CJ22]

That hotel looked a bit seedy to me on the outside, but I never went inside so it might be okay. But bear in mind that the night you're there, it'll probably be full of NIN fans in a party mood, as it is right next to the Arena. You might want to find somewhere a bit further away :)

[JandL]

Hostels are great to stay in, you can get your own room and you get a shared kitchen which you wont use :).

[dilanium]

Do you have a recommendation for a hostel?

[JandL]

The one I stayed at 3 years ago was very backpacker-ish, better off looking at something from one of these threads:
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20868&highlight=hostel+auckland
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=18497&highlight=hostel+auckland

[dilanium]

heh- I can find all the hostels in NZ with no problem, I'm just looking to see if anyone has a recent recommendation. ;)

[JandL]

Just had a lookup, we stayed in a xbase in wellington which was great, did a price search and found it is $20 for a dorm room per person, going up to $72 for a twin/double room. It was cheaper for a twin room when we went in winter.

[kanatakiwi]

As I say, I have never stayed there, but its just had a major makeover, so it might have impoved since you saw it? It certainly looks fine from the outside.

[peg]

stayed in xbase in auckland when i arrived- wouldn't really recommend it
i found it to be too big - def was the worse hostel i stayed in in new zealand
we cancelled the last 2 nights and went to tauranga - where we eventually settled for the moment
hope you find somewhere and have a great time at the concert
peg

[CJ22]

As I say, I have never stayed there, but its just had a major makeover, so it might have impoved since you saw it? It certainly looks fine from the outside.

Very true, possibly even a change of management. I had a quick look and the pictures look like it's had a major make-over.

[Jock_Tamson]

I stayed in the Hotel Formule 1 on Wyndham St just off Queen St for 3 nights - got it for $50 a night, private bathroom, TV, and cooking facilities. The room was VERY small, but it wasn't a problem at all for me, and it was very nice and clean etc.

I think the standard rate is $75 a night but it's still definitely worth it and I would stay there again despite the size of the room (hardly in the room anyway??).

[ljrobin]

We recently stayed at the Arena Hotel (formerly the Auckland City Hotel), it is about a 5 minute walk from the Vector. The rooms were clean, they have renovated some of it. It's not in the best part of the city, but within walking distance from the central part of the city. They also will arrange for the shuttle to take you to the airport, there probably is one to take you to the hotel too. Ask for a room that doesn't face the street.

[dilanium]

we ended up going with a hotel a few km from the arena with free parking that wasn't too expensive (The Barrycourt) and it gives us AA points.

I'll let you know how it is after we've stayed.

[mattt]

I stayed in the Hotel Formule 1 on Wyndham St just off Queen St for 3 nights - got it for $50 a night, private bathroom, TV, and cooking facilities. The room was VERY small, but it wasn't a problem at all for me, and it was very nice and clean etc.

I think the standard rate is $75 a night but it's still definitely worth it and I would stay there again despite the size of the room (hardly in the room anyway??).

i used this hotel in january also -- paid about $69 for the night which seemed brilliant considering the location and cleanliness of the room.

[tim&em]

Have stayed at the Formule 1 too and would recommend it as a good cheap centrally located place to stay.

If you're looking at backpackers, try the BBH network:http://www.bbh.co.nz/
- a whole host of backpackers throughout the country, all rated by their guests and listings include size (i.e. number of beds etc.) Usually, we find smaller = quieter = better.