Auckland, New Zealand, is our first stop on a 7-week Pacific adventure. Unfortunately, finding points-redeemable accommodations in New Zealand can be challenging. However, Auckland does boast a few award-winning hotels owned by international chains. Park Hyatt Auckland stands out as the top choice.
In this post, I’ll share my game plan for staying at the Park Hyatt Auckland with a family of three, along with my experience at the hotel.
Why didn’t I book a standard room all with points?
Based on recommendations from TripAdvisor, we narrowed it down to the Hilton Auckland and the Park Hyatt. The standard room in New Zealand only accommodates two people, so I’d need to book two rooms for the three of us (me, Benny, and our younger daughter). That would have been 20,000 Hyatt points x 2 rooms = 40,000 Hyatt points (before the category change on March 26, 2024). Booking two rooms, either on points or cash, was not the most cost-effective option. Most importantly, our youngest did not want to be separated from us. I decided to book a suite that can accommodate the three of us with a rollaway bed.
I also wanted to maximize the value of my Hyatt Globalist membership. This included complementary breakfast, late check out, and early check-in (it is not guaranteed and heavily subject to availability. I was glad we were so lucky upon arrival and the suite was ready in the early morning we arrived.)
Finally I chose the Premium Suite – Harbor Suite at the Park Hyatt Auckland. The cash price of this Harbor Suite is between US$850-$1,000 (NZD 1,300+) per night. Not only did I want to maximize my globalist, I also wanted to reduce my out of pocket money.
How did I book a premium suite for half price?
The First Night:
Upgrade to the Premium Suite (Harbor Suite) – 9K Hyatt points + $274. My out-of-pocket cost is around $454 – It is 46% off. (assuming 1.85-2.0 cents per point).
The Second Night:
40,000 Hyatt points is only required for the Premium Suite.
The Third Night:
Upgrade to the Premium Suite (Harbor Suite) – 9K Hyatt points + $274. Again, the out-of-pocket cost is around $454.
As a Globalist, breakfast for the three of us was covered for those three days, plus we got a late checkout on our departure day to Queenstown. The bonus was an early 9:30 am check-in when we arrived in Auckland. As I used cash and points premium suite upgrade, I would also earn nearly 8,000 Hyatt points for those two nights.
How was our experience with Park Hyatt Auckland?
WE ABSOLUTELY LOVED OUR STAY AT THE PARK HYATT AUCKLAND. HERE’S WHY:
✅ Excellent Location: It’s by the Waitematā Harbor, built for the America’s Cup (sailing competition), with lots of restaurants, theaters, and supermarkets nearby. It’s also just a 15-minute walk to downtown (where the ferry building/Intercontinental Auckland are located).
✅ Spacious and Artistic Architecture: The hotel makes clever use of space, daylight, and art masterpieces to create a unique atmosphere.
✅ Thoughtful Breakfast Choices: The buffet included one hot food item from the menu. While it was standard for Hyatt, their gluten-free station was impressive, with plenty of choices. The Asian elements in the buffet and menu were also fulfilling.
✅ Personalized Service: The staff were nice, approachable, and prioritized our needs. We left for Rotorua after a night and returned for another stay. The hotel helped us move our suitcases to the new room, so we didn’t have to handle all six at once.
My Final Thoughts
We were very satisfied with our stay at the Park Hyatt Auckland. My partner, my kid, and even my uncle, who has lived in New Zealand for over 30 years, all enjoyed it. I strongly recommend this hotel to anyone planning a visit to Auckland. 👍
Now, I can’t wait to hear from you:
- What’s Your Game Plan for Accommodation? Are you planning to use cash, points, or a mix of both?
- Have You Been to Auckland, NZ? Which hotels are on your mind? What was your experience with your choices?
- If You’re a Globalist, what perks do you appreciate the most? Are you aiming for Globalist membership for 2025/2026?
