[Mark Liceaga]

Hello Friends,

For a first-time arrival, would it be better for me to stay for a few days in an airport motel or should I go directly to a downtown Auckland hotel to get my bearings and start a new life as an immigrant?

Thanks for your help. Though mentioned in other threads, additional hotel/motel/B&B/backpackers lodging recommendations can help.

Thanks again!

Mark

[off2nz]

We stayed at a Motor Inn in Mt Albert for a week when we arrived (just 4 weeks ago) until we decided which suburb we wanted to settle in. We are now in Howick and have been staying in a Motor Inn there (Howick Motor Lodge) for 3 weeks now until we move into our house at the weekend.

Depends on the area that you are thinking about - if you would like any more information about where we are staying PM me and I'll see what I can do.

G

[sarahw]

If you're looking for somewhere to crash the first night the Jet Inn at the airport is very nice, I'd recommend then going elsewhere since you don't want to stay at the airport - too much stuff to organise!

[Singel]

Downtown Auckland - Service Apartment
I would recommend this place : COLUMBARD

New Zealand's most contemporary accommodation choice - a globally inspired Sleeping Studio™ can be all yours from just NZ$295* for a 1 week stay. 18 floors of Sleeping Studios™ right in the heart of Auckland City. Many have extraordinary views across the city. Small but perfectly formed, they have everything you need from washing-machine dryer to a kitchenette!
* include unlimited internet access

Email
Make an enquiry with Columbard Sleeping Studios™
Phone
+64 9 308 9140
Toll Free
0800 COLUMBARD (0800 265 862) (only within NZ)
Facsimile
+64 9 308 7200
Address
20 Wyndham Street, Auckland, New Zealand
Thanks Singtel once again. I did a bit more searching with google and I found this review. I'm a bit worried at the size of the room though, at 16 sq m, I'm not sure if it's enough for 2 people. But I think that I will certainly give them a shout.

Thanks again.

http://www.nbr.co.nz/home/column_article.asp?id=11944&cid=8&cname=News

[Mark Liceaga]

Thank you guys for all the help.

Off2NZ, thank you for the Motor Inn info. I checked out the web site - I will consider it.

Mark

[off2nz]

Hi Mark

You're welcome - hope it's what you are looking for!

G

[Mark Liceaga]

The Columbard must be one of the best deals in Auckland. For NZ$295 a week, you get a lot in a great location. TV, DVD, Boom Box, kitchen, washer and dryer, kitchen supplies, queen-size bed and individual telephone line. Yes the place is small, but it doesn't feel small.

Good for singles or couples but not for families with small children. If you have teenagers, you may wish to rent the adjoining room.

Cheaper than a hostel but as chic as boutique hotel. I like it here. Too good to be true, but it is true.

Note: linens are changed only once a week.

[Millsy-K]

We stayed at Columbard in our first week, and we found it way too compact.The place is tiny, the tiniest one that I've ever seen, the looby looks horrible, and the whole building is being sold because the Columbard Group decided the standards there aren't good enough.

I couldn't wait to get out of there and the $295 per week deal, becomes $320, if you opt for 200MB internet connection and linen change.Anyway, we ended up finding a lovely one bedroom apartment in Upper Queen St, 3 times bigger than Columbard,furnished, with dishwasher,microwave,washer/dryer, whiteware and everything else that we needed for $240 per week, which I think it's a much better deal than Columbard.

The building is managed by City Rentals, and they have 8 buildings all in the City, which is quite handy for job hunting purposes, so here it goes their website:

http://www.cityrentals.co.nz/index.html
:)

[jo-and-jeff]

Since the place we're in will be available as of August 8th, I thought I would post it here in case any of you will be needing a furnished rental in Auckland in the near future. Someone had been lined up to take it, but backed out today, so it's not been advertised up to now and can be gotten if you act quickly.

It's a 2-bedroom+office, 2-bath, 6th-floor furnished flat in a secure building with decks and a sunny north/west view of the Auckland Harbour and Sky Tower, and 2 car parks in an underground garage. Rent is not cheap at $700 per week (which includes water and Sky+Sports+Movies, but not Internet, phone, or electric), but it's walking-distance close to the CBD and to Ponsonby, near-instant access to the motorways, and a good central location for job and/or home searching.

Although they say "no pets", the agent agreed to letting us have our 2 cats when we showed them the pictures of the great condition of the off-white carpet in the house we were selling in the U.S., but I do not know whether they would be willing to allow a dog.

You can read more and see pictures here (http://www.auckland-apartment.co.nz/).

The contact information is for the owner (whom I believe is in Australia) and might not get you the quickest response, so if you're interested, p-m me and I'll give you the rental agent's name and phone numbers.

Jo