What is your IHG One Rewards status?
Diamond.

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay
Yes - would rate it 5 out of 5 stars and return again. There are some caveats though!

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked King Classic via a travel agent, using their special "one night on us" rate which is 5 nights for the price of 4.
Meant to get upgrade (subject to availability), $100 dining credit per stay, late check-in, late check-out, welcome amenity (fruit platter).

Upgraded to King Classic City View room only. This was one category above. Despite being eligible for a double upgrade (with the TA rate booked, and also with my Diamond status). The room was actually half city, half harbour view in the end. I didn't raise a fuss as I didn't rate the extra for a harbour view. These "view" rooms are exactly the same size as the base Classic room, so not really an upgrade IMO.

I did enquire if I could get another upgrade, but was told no. I enquired about paying for an upgrade, and was given a quote of NZD250/nt (2 people occupancy) to upgrade to a King Junior Suite (Harbour View) which comes with lounge access. I declined. This was over the xmas and new year period, which wasn't a full occupancy for the hotel.


How are the rooms?
Can't complain. New rooms. Good hard product. Bed comfortable, showers good.

Size - a bit small IMO to be considered luxurious. Missing about 5sqm-10sqm IMO to be truly 5 star. Also, the table is a very small round table, not suitable for working. I would not choose the IC if needing to do a serious amount of laptop or desk work in the room.

Noise - this was a problem. Despite being upgraded to a 10th floor room (there are only 11 floors in total), there was still noise from drinkers at 11pm-12pm from the bars around the area, plus once in a while a revving motorcycle or car. Surprising given its a new hotel, that could have built in good soundproofing. The sound wasn't enough to disturb sleep, but I could hear it while in the room at night, and while trying to fall asleep.

Toiletries - the usual Byredo
Amenities - Nespresso machine, with pods from a local coffee company. Decent tea selection. They give you a glass jug to get filtered water from the taps on each floor near the lifts to be eco-friendly.


How is the breakfast?
Very good. There's an a la carte menu, and the options there were all delicious. Definitely try the waffles, the salad bowl, and the green omelette.
Also has a small cold selection (cheeses, charcuterie, yogurts, etc) as well as an extensive pastry and bread selection - very very high standard IMO. Freshly squeezed juices, and smoothies too. No champagne/alcohol.


What was good and- what was bad?

GOOD
Got the drinks vouchers as Diamond members, as expected.

Location - is very very good. You're in the best location possible as a tourist. Right across the road is the ferries to Devonport, Waiheke Island. Behind is a shopping mall (Commercial Bay). Lots of restaurants around. Across the road from the main train station (Britomart). All the buses you need for Auckland start from the block the hotel is in. Harbourfront, for the stroll through Auckland harbour.

Restaurant - Advieh is good for a hotel restaurant. Value is not bad too, pricing is the same as other fine restaurants in the area, and the dining experience and food quality is very very good. The room service is also good, PLUS there is no service charge or tray fee either!

BAD
The soundproofing.
The lack of a more substantial upgrade from the base King Classic room to a bigger room.
No pool or steam and sauna facilities.
Smallish room size for the base King Classic Rooms.


Value for $ or IHG One Rewards Club? Would you return?
I think I paid about NZD380/nt (including taxes), but this was the quiet period around xmas and new years. At this rate, definitely very good value for money compared to other ICs worldwide.