Want a perfect Auckland family holiday? Starting from just $224, you can get a fab room for all of you, buffet breakfast and free lunch and dinner for the kids. Here’s how to do it, and where else to spend your time…
Capsule x Rydges
Sometimes, you forget just how stunning – and fun – the city you call home really is.
These days I spend most of my time working (and running around after kids) at home out in West Auckland, but a few times a week I’ll go into the CBD for work and always have the same thought – ‘oh, I should spend more time here – It’s beautiful! I should bring the kids in to see this or that…at some stage.’
So last weekend we decided to treat ourselves to a family weekend away in the city. And I can tell you without hesitation, whether you’re a local or you’re from the other end of our country, an Auckland getaway with kids is one hell of a great choice. If you think you know Auckland, it’s time to take another look.
We plonked ourselves in the centre of town, where all the best places to go were just a stone’s throw in any different direction. Rydges Auckland is on Federal Street – it’s perfect because the Viaduct and shopping precinct Commercial Bay are just a quick downhill walk away, and the bustling, busy and iconic Sky Tower is right next door but tucked away enough that it’s nice and quiet at night (a must!).
Trust me, it’s one of the best places to stay with kids, because they really have families in mind (if you have kids you’ll know just how inconvenient it is to stay in an un-kid-friendly hotel room is! Why’s it so good? Kids who are 12 and under stay and eat free at all Rydges hotels in NZ this year, which makes planning an affordable holiday so much more within reach.
So you’ve got your accom sorted – if you’re looking at a school holiday trip or a weekend away, here’s our top recommendations for an Auckland getaway to remember!
Day 1
3pm: Check-in
Head straight to the Rydges – there’s a self-park or valet option or great public transport options nearby. We stayed in a Superior Double Double Room, which, as the name suggests, features two double beds. There was also plenty of space for a cot – which was supplied – for our youngest (he’s two) and lots of floorspace left for him and his older brother (who is 10) to spread out and play.
We did a quick nip down to the little New World Metro on Queen St (it’s a six-minute walk away) to pick up snacks and drinks – the room has a very decent sized fridge in it, so we made the most of it (the luxury!).
Our room had a fab view of the Sky Tower, so as we left the room the kids made a little display in the window with their favourite toys – plus some of the brightest cushions from the room (this will make more sense soon, I promise!)
5.30pm: Dinner at The Cut
Perfect for families (or jet-lagged travellers), the Cut restaurant opens at 5pm, so we decided to make the most of the ‘Kids Eat Free’ deal. We recently took a trip overseas and when we did a little postmortem of our finances, we discovered it was eating out that threw us off budget quite significantly (the flashbacks of the $30 meals the kids each ordered and barely touched really confirmed this!). The Cut is actually a bloody good restaurant. My husband ordered an eye fillet steak, (he opted for the truffle and three mushroom sauce and it was perfection), while I went for the free-range chicken (with a thyme red wine jus) and we shared a side of mushrooms and fries. I’m gluten and dairy-free and there was heaps I could choose from on the menu.
The kids went for grilled chicken strips and chips, plus a spaghetti and meatballs (it was so huge – and delicious – that my husband ended up eating half of it), plus a couple of ice-creams (we were too full from eating our meals and theirs). It came out to just over $100, which feels like an insane bargain for such a great quality meal, for four.
6.30pm: Sky Tower
We headed across the road and up the Sky Tower to experience the greatest view in the city, at dusk. The view from 186m up is breathtaking – you can see up to 80km in any direction. There’s also the Skyslide virtual reality experience available now, which takes you on a ride down imaginary glass tubes around the tower. There’s of course also the Skyjump or Skywalk available, but we all kept our feet inside and enjoyed watching the sky slowly change to nightfall – a magical experience. But while we still had the light we played a game of who could spot our hotel room – and sure enough, if we looked carefully, we could find our window with our red cushions and soft toys looking back at us.
Day 2
8am: Breakfast
After a surprisingly great sleep (the kids got to sleep early while we had a glass of wine and read in bed – why don’t we do this at home more often?!) we fuelled up downstairs at the buffet breakfast. There’s everything you’d expect, plus a few great extras – like cereals, toasts (including a dedicated gluten-free area), pastries, fruits and hot options like pancakes, hash browns and eggs, and, of course, hot coffee and juices.
10am: Auckland Waterfront / Silo Park
We took the quick walk down the hill to the viaduct, where we wandered right around across the Wynyard Crossing to Silo Park. There’s a great playground there – perfect for younger kids and a great place to burn off some energy.
11.30: Auckland Maritime Museum
This is one of our best kept secrets. It’s totally free for locals and it’s pretty enchanting – especially for little ones. They’ll be particularly into the Rocking Cabin (a replica of an 1840’s vessel, where they can test their sea legs!), the Fishing Gallery (there’s an interactive fishing game where they’ll learn about sustainable fishing) and the Play Vessels (a great area for under-sixes, with mini waka and mini brigantine).
We took a break from the action to eat our packed lunch we put together at the hotel (hurrah for that mini-fridge!)
1.30pm: Set Sail on the Ted Ashby
Another great, little known gem is the daily sailings you can join from the Maritime Museum. We opted for the Ted Ashby, a heritage ketch-rigged scow, that really feels like you’re taking off on an adventure. It’s much cheaper than some of the other options available for getting out on Auckland harbour too. If you’re an Aucklander it’s $31 for adults, kids for $15 or $74 for a family pass – pretty great value for a memorable one-hour cruise.
3pm: Gelato / Commercial Bay
Just down from the Maritime Museum in the ferry building you’ll find the Island Gelato Co– my favourite gelato shop. My husband works in town and I pester him to routinely check in to see if my favourite flavour – tamarillo – is in season. But they also do a damn delicious coconut latte, pineapple mojito or fudgy brownies and cream. There’s plenty of allergy-friendly options, plus they do a good little kid size option!
After a sugar hit, head next door for a run around Commercial Bay. Even better – see if your husband will go back to the room to watch cartoons with the kids while you get some alone time to browse!
6.30: Dinner at The Cut
Yes, it’s great to try new things, but we’d also been so happy with our meal the night before and had been thinking about it most of the day, so we repeated the whole darn thing again. Zero regrets.
Day 3:
8am: Breakfast
My husband has a great habit of stopping us all whenever we’re about to head out for a big day, and saying, ‘wait, let’s set ourselves up for success’. Eating a solid breakfast is the best insurance – without it, someone gets hangry and the wheels fall off very quickly. A hotel buffet is the dream start and our youngest does us proud by going back for thirds.
10am: Checkout/Auckland Art Gallery
After checking out we take a leisurely walk up to the Art Gallery – one of the best spots in Auckland on a rainy day. Again, like the Maritime Museum, it’s free for Aucklanders and totally geared up for families and children. Every weekend between 11 and three there’s a free activity for kids. Right now it’s the ‘Kids & Whānau Create | The Art of Gift-Giving’ which runs for all of March. It’s inspired by the artworks gifted by Josie and Julian Robertson in the Robertson Gift Collection and essentially the kids get to create their own special gift to give to a stranger – and get to receive one too.
Midday: Auckland Zoo
We jump back in our car and head home – but now that the sun is out, we take a stop for the afternoon at Auckland Zoo. We’re season pass members, which I highly recommend (it’s about the same cost as going three times within the year – and then cheaper the next time when you get a renewing discount, plus you get discounts on food and in the gift rydgeshop!) – otherwise online you can buy an adult pass for $24 or $14 for kids.
Right now there’s so much to see and our two boys loved spotting the new baby rhino, as well as the new flamingo chicks. Plus, of course, all our regular favourites including the otters, tigers, cotton-top tamarins – and all the playgrounds!
A holiday in your own city with the family – honestly, it’s one of the best weekends we’ve had!
If you want to experience the Kids Stay & Eat Free deal at Rydges, stays start at $224 – that includes overnight accommodation for the whole family (2 adults and 2 children under 12, using room’s existing bedding – that includes a cot!), daily buffet breakfast for 2 adults, daily meals for 2 children (breakfast, lunch and dinner from the kids menu or buffet when dining with a paying adult). Members also get an additional 10% off – and it’s free to become a member! Please see here for additional terms and conditions.
If you’re after an escape but Auckland’s not your jam, Rydges’ other properties across the country are also offering the package. Check out Rydges Formosa Golf Resort, Rydges Wellington, Rydges Wellington Airport, Rydges Christchurch and Rydges Queenstown for rates.
Alice was a guest of Rydges Auckland
