Good—simple choices for a better life

Article illustration

Comments

Suzi
 
Thu June 10, 2010 @ 11:25 AM
My perfect Auckland weekend itinerary involves getting out to see (and eat!) more of this great city - having moved up just over a year ago, it's shocking how little of it I've seen and experienced.

Saturday Morning:
- Brunch at The Fridge in Kingsland, followed by a spot of shopping in what I hear are some amazing jewellery stores in the area.
- Pop over to Teed St, Nuffield St and the likes for a bit more retail therapy, before having a late afternoon refreshment at Nuffield Brew Bar - I'm a big fan of the Mac's bars and hear this one is one of the best.
- Back to the hotel for some glamming up, before heading down to The Office bar at The Westin for a glass of champers. Following this a decadent dinner at Euro, and perhaps another cocktail or two at a nearby bar.

Sunday morning
- Room service breakfast before indulging at The Westin spa - full body massage and a facial, perhaps?
- Relaxing done, lunch at Toast is called for, before eventually pulling ourselves from the warmth of the hotel, and wandering the viaduct and harbour area. Auckland really is a beautiful city.
Esther
 
Thu June 10, 2010 @ 11:36 AM
Honestly, there's nothing I love more than crisp hotel sheets. My weekend would include:

A leisurely homecooked breakfast, before heading to town for a spot of shopping and a seafood lunch in style at Kermadec. Check in at the hotel, followed perhaps by a spa or massage treatment, then a dinner cruise on the Waipa Delta Paddle Steamer! Off to check out a band at the Kings Arms, then back to the Westin for a long, lazy slumber.

On Sunday, we'd enjoy a hotel buffet breakfast, and treat ourselves to a movie and in-room lunch. Then over to Parnell to check out the cafes and finishing off the afternoon at the Chocolate Boutique - heaven on earth.

leah
 
Thu June 10, 2010 @ 03:11 PM
My perfect Auckland itinerary would be:

1) Drop kids off at grandparents, check into hotel with wonderful hubby and jump on bed yelling "yay no children" for about 5 minutes to get that out of our systems.
2) Look out of window and admire view of the harbour for at least 10 minutes.
3) Make a cup of tea and put sky tv on, because we are probably the only people left in NZ to not have sky at home.
4) Have a bath, trying hard not to say "yay no kids" too many times (as love them dearly - honest), then put bathrobes on.
5) Read paper, have nap, reminiscing about how easy it was to lounge about before kids.
6) Explore the Westin's facilities (gym area etc).
7) Finally leave hotel, get on ferry and spend time pointing out the fab location of the hotel from the boat.
8) Wander about viaduct for late afternoon drink, dinner, then back to hotel to enjoy a quiet night.
9) Sunday is reading the paper and more admiring the view from our room.

Our weekend would just be a lovely quiet blissful time enjoying our own time again :-)
Meg Seabrook
 
Thu June 10, 2010 @ 03:15 PM
I LOVE the idea of inner city living for a short break. Leaving the car at home....bus into the city, check into a slice of luxury for a night, walk to galleries, cafes, parks, dine out, listen to live music, sleep in, watch the city wake up during an early morning walk, visit the cinema and bus home. Ahhhhhhh so re-energising! Stressfree and so vastly different to everyday life in the burbs where the car is sadly so necessary...
Ellie
 
Thu June 10, 2010 @ 03:28 PM
My perfect Auckland weekend would mean leaving thoughts of work and chores behind - and it is difficult to do this at home - so a weekend at The Westin would be ideal.

We would arrive in the city on Saturday and start with a visit to the Art Gallery, followed by lunch at Agents & Merchants. After checking into the hotel we would have to check out all the facilities including the lap pool & sauna, maybe treat ourselves to a massage at the spa...
After a short nap I would take a luxuriously long time to get ready for dinner at Q. After dinner we would pop down to The Classic for some stand-up comedy. A few drinks and then back to the room. 

Cut to the morning and some serious sleeping in then a hot breakfast via room service. Then over to Parnell to check out the French Farmers Markets and get some treats for lunch - a picnic at the Domain. 

Then we arrive home and somebody has done the housework...!
 
Maria Boyd
 
Thu June 10, 2010 @ 03:40 PM
Drop the kids off at their grandparents (who conveniently live in Auckland) spend some time with them also. 

Then check in and walk around the city to see how much its changed since we left.  Also have to look at the shops too.  Then make use of the hotel facilities (which look fantastic) swimming pool, massage at the wellness centre, have a spa bath.  Dinner at their delicious restaurant then settle back to watch a movie.

Next day brunch at the Toast Café, maybe a walk along Mission Bay, back to pick up the kids and drive home again.
annabelle
 
Thu June 10, 2010 @ 04:05 PM
I went to a friends wedding reception at the westin recently and wow! amazing. 
my weekend would include:
arrive in time for a fantastic brunch at Q with a few bloody mary's and watch the world go by.  check in to the westin, jump up and down on the bed and be excited at the prospect of a fun weekend ahead. head up to sky city and brave the sky jump, then across to elliot stables to check out the fabulous delis and maybe have a cheeky glass of wine.  Back to the Westin for a nap and get ready for a great night out.  Dinner in the viaduct and a few drinks at the viaduct bars then back to the Westin.

In the morning I'd go for a jog round victoria park while the sun comes up, then head back to the westin for room service breakfast.  then i'd catch the link bus up college hill and along ponsonby road and meet friends for coffee, walk down k road and check out the vintage clothing shops, back on the link stop off at the auckland museum & domain, walk down to nuffield st in newmarket for some more shopping, on the link bus again stopping off at the chocolate cafe in parnell for hot choc, walk down parnell rise and meet up with friends for tapas at a&m and racket bar in roukai lane near britomart, and after a fun packed weekend off home. whew!
Annabel McAleer
 
Thu June 10, 2010 @ 04:25 PM
You guys are totally inspiring me to make more of my weekends in Auckland!
J Mason
 
Thu June 10, 2010 @ 04:56 PM
I would see how I felt on the day as to where to eat and what to do.  It would be great to get away for some quiet time away from the kids and be able to just decide to go for a coffee or shopping or a walk without having to spend an hour getting the kids ready and arguing about what to do and who's turn it is to sit where in the car!!!!
Linda Travers
 
Thu June 10, 2010 @ 06:36 PM
On the way to spend Mothers day with my Mum, we were involved in a bad car crash, my car being written off. We have just got over our injuries. My best friend and I would love to experience a weekend like this to make up for the one we lost!
sara
 
Thu June 10, 2010 @ 07:03 PM
Well then we have been 'staycationing' since the year 2000 and didn't even know it!  That's what happens when two incomes become one and you add three kids.
For our luxury night we would drop the kids off and check in to the hotel as soon as we could.  We'd love to spend some time meandering around town looking at art galleries, maybe a photography exhibition or two if we're lucky.
Lunch would be somewhere not too posh, because unless it's on 'Good' then we'll still be on our usual budget :-)
The spa treatments at the Westin look amazing, and if we could scrounge up a few bucks we'd get a massage, otherwise it'll have to be a DIY number :-)
An afternoon nap will probably be on the cards, just because we can, before heading out to find some live music, and if I get my way we'll be dancing into the wee small hours!
$50 of hotel money sounds like room service for breakfast, and to be honest we'd probably lie in until midday, enjoy the shower/bath (we're on tank water) and generally just enjoy the relaxation and time spent together.
I've never stayed at a 5 star hotel before, I'm enjoying the daydream....
Sarah
 
Thu June 10, 2010 @ 07:45 PM

Absolute luxury ... right now I can't think of anything I'd rather doing than escaping to Auckland for some serious indulgence

Mons
 
Thu June 10, 2010 @ 11:52 PM
As a Wellingtonian, I am at your disposal. I would love the locals to tell me the best haunts, the local markets, the shopping outlets, the bars and restaurants, culture and of course, the complete and utter indulgence at The Westin. Show me your best, I'm ready to lap it up.
Jessica
 
Fri June 11, 2010 @ 09:04 AM

NZ is a beautiful place, Auckland is just one of the stunning city's we have.  Getting away for the weekend is always a special treat, weather it's stopping in Parnell at the special chocolate shop or walking along the viaduct it's a pleasure that should be enjoyed more!

bren
 
Fri June 11, 2010 @ 09:50 PM
This looks a wonderful place.  I have fond memories of family holidays in Auckland.  I havent been back for so long but I will have to change that soon.
Hannahg
 
Fri June 11, 2010 @ 09:58 PM
Once we'd gotten through the excitement of checking into the award-winning Westin, I would book myself and my brand new husband ('brand new' as in recently married, not really young!) into the spa for a massage each which we both would totally enjoy (even though I get a bit embarrassed when my husband groans with pure appreciation throughout a massage session!)

We would then treat ourselves to dinner at Clooney which I have heard fabulous things about its menu, atmosphere, decor and service! Following dinner we'd pop down to Sale St for a cocktail, then make our way back to the Westin for a nightcap before melting into the Heavenly Bed for a blissful sleep!

It would only be right to order a decadent breakfast in bed before a late check out...then off to do some shopping!!!!

Would be fantabulous!!! xxxx



Sophie
 
Sat June 12, 2010 @ 03:29 PM
I would arrive in Auckland (from Dunedin, and it's sunny today since you asked) in enough time to get the ferry to Tiritiri Matangi Island for the day.  After walking round the island a few times, and saying hello to the Takahe, I'l get back to the Westin in time for a bath before going to see a some of the amazing theatre Auckland has to offer.  Then a late supper before collapsing into bed.  Sunday morning would be a sleep in, and seriously long breakfast then pack a picnic into the car, check out, and head off to the most beautiful beach in the world, aka Whatipu.  Then back to the Sunny South!
Claudia Cullum
 
Sun June 13, 2010 @ 07:24 PM

Oh an early night after a long soak in a hotel bathtub with Lush bathbomb, then a sleep in with my partner, which almost never happens, and a leisurely brunch at the hotel followed by a walk around the viaduct and an evening cruise on the Waipa delta, food, sea breezes and peace with my partner....Bliss

Debbie Smith
 
Mon June 14, 2010 @ 11:05 AM
Wow...I have not experienced Auckland for over twenty years...not even seen the sky tower in real life...so this little country bumpkin from Wanganui would indulge in all the spectacular sites that is on offer. It would be  an experience I would share with someome very special..we both so need this in our lives right now
JojO
 
Mon June 14, 2010 @ 06:12 PM
i would hide out in the room just relaxing and enjoying the peace
paulette
 
Tue June 15, 2010 @ 10:47 PM
Having moved to New Zealand just recently, I haven't had the chance to explore Auckland yet, but I'd love to take in all of the museums and art galleries with my best friend/husband!
Erena
 
Wed June 16, 2010 @ 08:49 AM
A perfect itinerary (in no particular order) would include a ramble through the Auckland Regional Botanical Gardens holding an ice cream cone, a venture out west to beautiful Karekare beach, a twilight cruise through the Hauraki Gulf on a luxury yacht, a completely indulgent pampering at one of those all exclusive day spas where the beautiful people go in Ponsonby or Parnell somewhere, a trip out to the Otara Flea Markets to spy some bargains, some serious clubbing up on K Road, jumping off something iconic like the Harbour Bridge or Sky Tower and of course much wining and dining at the fair city's best eateries. Yep, that would do me.
Emily
 
Mon June 21, 2010 @ 08:02 PM
I have been so busy - working full time and studying full time that my ideal weekend would be just chilling out relaxing - not to have any specific plans just being inspired in the moment.
If we got restless in the hotel there is so much to do in walking distance that I'm sure we would have a ball.
Annabel McAleer
good.net.nz
 
Tue June 22, 2010 @ 12:07 PM
Incredibly inspiring itineraries everyone!!! It was a tough decision, but we've decided a winner. Congratulations Annabelle!
annabelle
 
Thu July 01, 2010 @ 02:30 PM
WOW!  I cannot tell you how much this has made my day.. week.. month actually!  Thanks so much Good, and of course the Westin.  My husband is stoked too. 

Add your comment

Anonymous comments are queued before publishing and it may take some time before they appear. Please consider creating an account and your comment will appear automatically. If you already have an account, please log in.








If you have trouble reading the code, click on the code itself to generate a new random code
 

More Goodness

The Good blog
  • Winter pick-me-ups
    article illustration

    As gloomy weather sets in, it's the little things that lift your mood. Like these candy-coloured retro leather purses from Green With Envy – a splash of gorgeousness on the daily shop. And we've got two to give away!

  • How to get rid of oxalis?
    article illustration

    Good's new gardening expert Zoe Carafice is ready and waiting to solve your dilemmas! Each question published on Zoe's blog or in Good receives a fab prize from Tui Garden. This week: how to eradicate oxalis bulbs.

  • One good reason to skip lunch
    article illustration

    Plenty of food that’s good enough to eat (but not good enough to sell) is disposed of every day. Kaibosh Food Rescue is aiming to change all that by collecting extra food and distributing it to charities. Now they're calling on Kiwis to donate the cost of a meal on Miss a Meal in May Day – so they can expand their mission to help out the hungry.

Good magazine
  • Urban harvest
    article illustration

    Could you live off the land? Nancy Howie travels to Canada to discover how one grassroots movement is redefining the suburban dream.

  • Where has fracking been allowed on the East Coast?
    article illustration

    Armed with exploration licenses issued by the New Zealand government, Tag Oil and its partner Apache intend to extract oil and gas from the East Coast. See the map here >

  • Man-made earthquakes
    article illustration

    Is it possible for human activity to cause quakes? One investigation in Blackpool, England discovered that more than fifty tremors in the region were caused by fracking operations. Read the article >

article illustration

Latest issue

Discover what gives your home soul, tips for easy entertaining and making favourite clothes last longer. Find latest research on honey for health and the brainiest breakfasts, plus guides to greenwashing, distilling and the best loo paper to buy.

Follow us

Latest comments

  • Sarah on Winter pick-me-ups:
    I would be instantly 'gloom' free with one of these little jewels! My favourite winter buster trick is to have a big supply of hot water bot  
  • Kim on Winter pick-me-ups:
    Stack 10 loads of firewood on all four sides of the house, have a red glowing wood burner, a casserole dish full of goodies on top & a c  
  • Alex Lennox-Marwick on Winter pick-me-ups:
    Winter is most definitely here! My first step when the cold weather sets in is homemade soup, pumpkin and lentil is my favorite. Speaking of  
  • Erin on Winter pick-me-ups:
    My best winter proofing tip is a bright coloured merino scarf and a warm bright coloured hat, I love hats and scarves, t  
  • Shani Kowalczyk on Winter pick-me-ups:
    Its time to pull out the fluffy blankets for the couches, the lovely crochet blankets for our knees, the vintage patchworks quilts to go ove  
  • Donna on Winter pick-me-ups:
    Don't neglect accessories: warm socks, thermals, hats scarves (bright and cheerful) and gloves make a huge difference!  At home, close  
  • carolyn abraham on Winter pick-me-ups:
    i make sure the house is always warm, with the log burner going all day and night keeping a pot of soup on top, so that it is always there w  
  • Niki on Winter pick-me-ups:
    Winter means our home comes into its own - lots of rugs, a slow burning fire all day with soup, baking, and board games. It's a time to rela  

Blogs

Good pages

Good Shopping Handbook