The Langham, Auckland
Number of nights: 2
Elite Tier: None
Cost: N/A
Cash Cost: $358 NZD
Redemption Value: N/Z
Booking Channel: American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts

I had originally planned to stay at the Hilton Auckland since it seemed like one of the best points-focused options in the city, but the Hilton wanted something like $400 NZD/night for the 2 nights I was there (and the points redemption value was also extraordinary) so I had to find another option.

After clicking around, the Langham Auckland surfaced, and I realized it was an AMEX FHR property. Clicking through, the rate for my two nights was an amazing $358 NZD total (including tax!). This is roughly $266 USD for two nights... Very good value IMO. I'd also receive a $100 USD ($131 NZD) property credit, and free breakfast every morning. Who needs loyalty programs?

Hopping off the SkyBus from AKL airport (keep in mind there are two different routes... Bus 01 and Bus 03... supposedly with #01 you don't have to walk up a massive hill) at one of the first stops (the driver announced "Langham" hotel..."), I realized I should have stayed on the bus until it made its loop around the city. I now had to walk up a short (but STEEP) hill and entered the Langham via the back entrance.

As another note, on the bus I wasn't really paying attention to the drive (it didn't seem too interesting) since I was too busy trying to book a day trip tour for the next day.

Anyways, the Langham is actually located outside of central Auckland (not far) in a small neighborhood called Grafton. It's also on top of a hill, so if you are walking you will always need to come back up some sort of hill to get to the Langham.

A friendly (but rather stiff and nervous-sounding) checked me in an explained the AMEX FHR benefits: a complimentary room upgrade, $100 USD property credit (which is valid... and I quote "on anything except the room"), daily buffet breakfast at 8, free internet, etc.

I've only booked through AMEX FHR a few times (most recently at the W/A Shanghai with a 4th night free), and have always had good experiences. Getting a $100 property credit on top of a two night stay that totaled $266 is outsized value as well, if I do say so myself. Perks of staying in the low season.

Anyways -- I was issued my keys and up to my room on the 7th floor at the very end of the hallway.

Wow -- what a blast from the past. This property is regarded as one of the best hotels in Auckland and I understand why, but it seriously could use some updating.



I think this is the 2nd tier room (one category upgrade from the basic room). I didn't do much research into the room categories here since my trip was so last minute, but the size was fine and it was nicely furnished (though dated).





The bathroom had a nice large countertop which was great for spreading out thing (stark contrast from the Hilton Sydney).



Water pressure here was also excellent, and water hot. However there is only one shower curtain so... It's hard to explain this, but there is so much hot water that it heats up the air (which then rises) and leads to cold air from the bathroom coming under the shower curtain, effectively blowing the shower curtain against you while you are showering. If you understand the physics between the cause of wind at beaches, then you may know what I'm talking about here.



Toiletries were Chuan Spa branded. A recent TPG review has different branded toiletries, so not sure if different room categories receive different bath amenities.



Bottles of complimentary water.





Apparently I am missing pictures of anything else in this hotel (forgive me!), but I will attempt to describe them.

Spa/Gym
I took a peek at the gym and it was tiny. Definitely falls into the "fitness room" category. I did not use it.

I had actually intended to use my $100 USD credit to get a service at Chuan Spa, but there were no timeslots that fit my schedule (rather, there was only one timeslot left and it was smack dab in the middle of my day tour the next day).

In-Room Dining
I availed myself of some green smoothies off the in-room dining menu the night I arrived in attempt to get some nutrition and to use up the $100 credit. In-room dining orders consisting of only beverages do not incur a service/tray charge, so something to keep in mind.

The Langham Club
As I understand it, there is a club lounge at this property but I was not offered an upgrade to a room type that conferred access. I also did not mind as I wouldn't have used it really either.

Dining @ Eight Restaurant
Eight is the Langham's main dining venue. There are is a buffet option (I believe at all times of day) as well as a la carte options. Eight derives its name from the 8 main dining stations setup buffet style.

I dined at the buffet for breakfast both mornings and once for dinner ($99 NZD... not cheap but I had the credit to use up!).

Here are some pictures from breakfast (not as varied as dinner time but it definitely has everything you need).



The fruit is what I was really after





Carbs, carbs for everyone!



Quite empty at 6:30am



The options are quite good. Anything you want, you will find at 8. One of the most impressive international buffets I've been to, though it's up to you whether you'd want to pay $99NZD for the dinner buffet (personally I would not). Breakfast is a more reasonable $40 NZD, IIRC.

Here are some pictures from the dinner buffet.

Cheese selection.



Plentiful oyster selection and haute-cuisine appetizers. The green creamsicle looking dish is actually a broccoli concoction.



The ice cream cone looking object was actually seared beef tips in a sesame waffle cone in some sort of sesame dressing. Quite nice, though unfortunately since these sit out, the waffle cones become soggy with the moisture from the beef.



Massive chilled seafood selection. Any shellfish you could ever dream of. If you exclusively ate from this station you may be able to get close to breaking even.



Large parmesan wheel for your salads.



Dessert selections. The color on the macaron looked sickly fake so I stayed away.





And this.............. This was also at breakfast.... If someone has stayed the Langham Auckland recently please do let me know what this orange fountain consists of... I had a taste and my best guess was mango white chocolate?



During dinner Eight has a pasta station, cheese station, salad station, grill station, seafood station, sushi station, dessert station, hot prepared food station, and all the usual accompaniments.

You can also order a la carte dining -- though note the Palm Court (essentially the lobby lounge) and the 8 probably share a kitchen as their a la carte dining options are exactly the same (and are the same as the in-room dining menu). So no need to venture out from your room to see what the options are.

Overall, the property is nice. Definitely could use some updating in terms of room furnishings, but generally well up-kept.

The staff are nice and well-intentioned as well, but cannot compare to some other international 5-star hotels. I distinctly remember stays at the Regent Taipei (used to be a Four Seasons property) where housekeeping learned we had requested ice one evening and then consequently delivered it every other night we were there. At the W/A Shanghai our language preferences were apparently communicated to staff who interacted with us.

I have a feeling low season is when new associates come on for training, as I noticed quite a higher ratio of training associates to normal associates (as indicated by name tag) than I would have expected.

However -- I cannot nit pick too much since the price paid was definitely good value in terms of what I received.

Sights of Auckland
After checking into the hotel on my first evening, I went out for a brief stroll (which turned into 3 hours) around Auckland. Impressions are that Auckland is fine-- essentially just another metropolitan city in a developed country. I do wish, however, there was some sort of subway/train system but I would understand if the population density is not there to support it.

I also did visit the famed "Food Alley," an Asian foodcourt located in the CBD -- and was severely disappointed. Nothing like the hawker centres in SG or nightmarkets in other parts of Asia.

Then again -- you do not come to NZ to see cities. I was very glad I had booked a day trip to go out of the city for the next day. Auckland is pleasant, but just a business hub that dies after 5pm. There are some nice parts (Wynyrd Quarter and Viaduct Harbour) that are worth a look but don't come to NZ to only stay in Auckland.

Edit: information about Auckland's rail expansion:

On the above note, I did notice extensive construction in the city center when walking around. I can now attribute this to something

Next up: Ziplining, Wine Tasting, Olive Oil Tasting on Waiheke Island