Sofitel Viaduct Harbour “A Quirky Affair”

Sofitel’s “stylistic marriage of Parisian salon and Pacific meeting house is just out of earshot from the bars and restaurants of the Viaduct Harbour’s busy end. It is a quirky affair that elevates the hotel above more homogeneous corporate offerings,” writes Bryn Reade in a review of the Auckland hotel for The Telegraph. Reade gives the hotel an overall ranking of 7 (out of 10).

The hotel, which looks over the southern end of the Viaduct Basin, is located only a five minutes’ walk from both the restaurants and bars of the Harbour’s eastern corner and Wynyard Quarter directly north.

“The juxtaposition of Parisian salon with traditional and modern New Zealand art is a little incongruous in places, but it isn’t dull. A real attempt has been made to root the hotel in the Pacific: the glowing marble walls of the restaurant reference the lava of the fiery Pacific Rim; the wallpaper of the communal areas is textured like the latticed ‘tukutuku’ panels of a Māori meeting house, and the walls are hung with historical New Zealand prints and contemporary New Zealand artworks,” writes Reade.

Reade praises the hotel’s “charming desk staff”. “It makes a welcome change in the Antipodes to be greeted with a friendly ‘bonjour’ as part of Sofitel’s brand,” he writes.

“The velvety kitsch of the enormous headboard, stripy furniture and shiny, paisley cushions is eccentric and fun. Beds are extremely comfortable and rooms are a good size; the view from the balconies on the east side look across the marina to the city,” writes Reade.

The hotel’s restaurant Lava Dining gives “a French twist to New Zealand’s quality meat and seafood”, according to Reade. Facilities also include a library, café, a 20 m heated lap pool a gym and a spa, which offers a full range of treatments.

Article Source: The Telegraph, Bryn Reade, August 7, 2017

Image Source: Sofitel.com