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This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
With borders closed amid a global pandemic, the time is not right to open New Zealand’s newest luxury hotel.
But after construction delays and Covid-19 setbacks, the Park Hyatt finally welcomes guests to its Auckland hotel on Tuesday.
It was reported that its construction cost more than $ 200 million, the Viaduct configuration has four restaurants and bars, an infinity pool and a gym.
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While big-money international tourists are out for now, general manager Brett Sweetman said rooms were filling up with Kiwi bookings – 80 of the 195 rooms are operational right now and 70 full this weekend.
The America’s Cup continues to be a huge draw for many guests and interest is so strong that they have not considered becoming a quarantine hotel.
But with rooms starting at $ 450 a night and going up to $ 14,000 for presidential suites, they were likely to be over budget for managed isolation anyway.
The $ 1000 per night Harbor Suite is proving to be the hotel’s most popular offering yet.
Sweetman said they had a variety of guests coming to stay from all over New Zealand.
“People can’t travel abroad so I think there are great opportunities for New Zealanders to come to this hotel and have a true international luxury experience and pamper themselves.”
It’s not just the getaways that are proving popular to New Zealand’s big spenders right now.
RNZ
Rooms start at $ 450 a night at the Park Hyatt.
Auckland’s best restaurant, the French Cafe, is filling as many tables as it can right now; expenses typically range from $ 150 to $ 200 per person.
Car dealerships aren’t fare too badly either: An Auckland dealership says there are signs of resistance across its Aston Martin, Bentley, McLaren and Lamborghini brands, just a slight 10 percent drop in sales from last year.
The luxury market is in stark comparison to those who are making it tough, with 12.1 percent of working-age New Zealanders now benefiting and a recession to be officially announced Thursday.
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
