I spent 8 nights at the Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre and would describe it as a solid 4-star hotel โ practical, clean, and well located. The central location was perfect for sightseeing and getting around on foot.
My room on the 11th floor had beautiful sunset views. It was basic in terms of decor, but Chromecast access was a great feature. The bed was comfortable, and there was a small gym and guest laundry, both useful for longer stays.
Breakfast was included, though after a few days it started to feel a bit repetitive. A useful tip for longer stays: you can ask reception to have the chef prepare something different. They also provide breakfast boxes, which I used twice for early tours โ just order ahead.
Staff were generally friendly and helpful. The bar offered good wines, although the selection was limited.
Only downside was the inconsistent housekeeping: coffee cups weren't cleaned or replaced during the entire stay, trash was sometimes missed, and bed-making could have been better.
All in all, a good choice if youโre looking for a central, comfortable stay at a reasonable price. I paid around 70โฌ per night, and felt the value matched what was offered.