At this funky redo of a turn-of-the-20th-century building, rooms are a riot of graphically patterned carpets, Midcentury furniture in orange and turquoise upholstery, and black-and-white-tiled baths.
The marble- and metal-clad lobby at this sleek former Westin glows with the light of hundreds of candles in the evening. Rooms have all-inclusive mini-bars and views of the boat-filled marina.
Auckland’s onetime jewel, near the CBD and Ponsonby, has retained some of its luster thanks to the renovated lobby and lounge, with their high ceilings, marble floors, and old-school tea service.
This hotel has 240-degree views of the city and Waitemata Harbour from its front suites. Rooms are simple—sparse furnishings; large beds—but the lively Fish restaurant and Bellini Bar make up for it.
It’s Hamptons-meets-Kiwi style at this seven-room hotel on Waiheke Island: interiors have wainscoted walls and nautical touches. Book the Lighthouse, with its private veranda high above Hauraki Gulf.
Stylist Stephen Marr and fashion designers Karen Walker and Dan Gosling are the brains behind this shop: independent labels such as Lemlem mix with Walker’s own line and those of other Australasians.
Designer Elizabeth Findlay’s one-room boutique stocks clean-lined, deconstructed pieces that recall Helmut Lang or Rick Owens: draped cottons and linens in greige and shades of ebony.
At Cameron Woodcock’s multiroom emporium of antiques and ephemera, you’ll find vintage gardening books and eclectic furniture, Fiesta Dinnerware and photographs with serious provenance, and much more.
Devotees of Restoration Hardware won’t want to miss the impeccably ordered housewares here, including vintage wooden cutting boards, southern-French crockery, and white enamel cookware.
The 84-year-old museum houses the most comprehensive Maori and Pacific Islander art collection in the Southern Hemisphere: graphic textiles; war canoes; even whare (traditional Maori meeting houses).
This late-Victorian neighborhood has historic sites, cafés, restaurants, and two of Auckland’s picture-perfect beaches. Climb Mount Victoria for views of the city, Hauraki Gulf, and the North Shore.
A 40-minute ferry ride from downtown brings you to this island escape. Rent a moped or car at the landing and cruise the beaches; Little Oneroa, Palm Beach, and Onetangi are among the best.
Al Brown’s temple to dude food is the buzziest spot in town. Inside, it’s all about the seasonal small plates: lamb with mini Yorkshire puddings and snapper sliders with a killer lemon mayo.
The converted warehouse in up-and-coming Britomart turns out contemporary Japanese dishes—seared duck breast with wasabi tartare; orange ponzu—accompanied by a formidable cocktail list.
Raw brick, filament lights, and exposed pipes set the backdrop here. The food ranges from Asian-inflected raw-bar offerings to maverick takes on sharing plates like mirin-braised ribs with curry.
At this award-winning temple to gastronomy, you’ll find contemporary French cuisine with innovative twists on classic roasts (the quail with bacon, chestnuts, and croissant sauce is unbeatable).
Ponsonby’s unofficial social epicenter is all about air-kissing, flowing Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris, and a hilarious waitstaff. Snag a table on the terrace and order the cockle linguine.
This no-frills restaurant in the CBD has great food—risotto balls, bruschetta, and polenta fries; it’s casual to a fault, but super fun.
A mecca for down-and-dirty late-night snacking—wobbly tables and fluorescent lights set the stage for house-made dumplings from another stratosphere.
This well-guarded secret in the suburb of Ellerslie is only open for lunch Thursdays through Saturdays and is slightly off the beaten track, but worth the trek.
Ponsonby’s popular nightspot has some of the best seasonal food, craft beer, and natural wines in Auckland, not to mention great live music.
A great gallery in Newton; one of his top artists is Michael Parekowhai, who was New Zealand’s entry for the 2011 Venice Biennale.
A go-to restaurant in Ponsonby; there’s an old record player—you can grab a Wham! album and just put it on—and the chef serves elevated French home cooking.
