As parents of two darling little humans, booking a weekend at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland with my husband seemed a tad indulgent since we live nearby – but it proved a dream getaway and the perfect chance to relax and reconnect. Conrad and I booked a ‘for the romantics’ package at our favourite hotel and happily agreed to leave our parent guilt at home.
Right from the get-go, we discovered the package was designed for ease, comfort and pampering. After valet parking and a warm welcome from our lovely receptionist, we changed for dinner and headed to the Lobby Lounge for a crisp cocktail and a catch-up on the week.
If you’ve never eaten at Eight, I promise it’s an experience to tick off your list. It’s called Eight because that’s how many kitchens are serving up flavoursome cuisine from around the world in the interactive buffet restaurant.
Superb chefs offered to prepare what our hearts (and stomachs) desired while we watched, and the choice was almost overwhelming. But we managed to make a decision … several times! (Tip for first-timers – leave room for dessert.)
Saturday mornings are usually spent taxiing the kids to sport, but instead Conrad and I took advantage of the GO Play card included in our package, which provides access to discounts on more than 200 activities – we chose a flight over the city with Auckland Seaplanes.
Picked up from Cordis by owner Chris in the early morning, we zipped out to Ardmore Airport and were high up in the sky just one hour later in a beautiful little De Havilland Beaver floatplane. Our city is a beauty to behold from the air – and it was amazing to land in the harbour and park at Wynyard Quarter.
After a leisurely stroll around the waterfront to Britomart, we headed back to Cordis to soak up the sun poolside on the hotel rooftop.
That evening, it was a quick walk to catch a play at the Basement Theatre, and afterwards we strolled along colourful K Road back to the hotel. We decided to have a light supper in our room (still full from Eight!) to use the $100 daily hotel credits in the package – only to find a bottle of bubbles and chocolates waiting for us. We surrendered!
Our lazy Sunday started with a sleep-in and delicious room-service breakfast. We then decided to book ourselves an additional treat with a couple’s massage at Chuan Spa. I knew this spa by reputation, and my superb first treatment lived up to it, with the masseuse’s magical fingers working away knots in my shoulders.
After relaxing in the herbal steam room and a dip in the pool, we were ready to face the day. We drove out west for a beach walk before heading home in time for our Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise, which ended the most perfect weekend in memory.
**Cordis, Auckland
A new brand by the Langham Hospitality Group.
83 Symonds Street, Auckland, cordishotels.com/auckland
