Hotel Review: InterContinental Auckland by IHG
The InterContinental Auckland is one of the most talked-about luxury hotels in New Zealand, and after our recent stay, it’s easy to see why. Located right on the Auckland waterfront, this IHG property blends five-star design, refined service, and exceptional breakfast dining at Advieh. We booked our stay using the AmEx Platinum Fine Hotels + Resorts program, which included a $300 hotel credit, complimentary breakfast, and a free third night — an incredible value for couples looking for luxury without overspending, especially in the midst of a government shutdown.
THE LOCATION
Waitematā Harbour view from our room at the InterContinental Auckland.
One of the biggest reasons we chose the InterContinental is its unbeatable location. The hotel sits right in Auckland’s CBD and is just steps from the waterfront. From the lobby, you can walk to Viaduct Harbour, the ferry terminal, cruise port, and countless restaurants and shops — no need for parking or a rental car.
Before we even stepped inside the hotel, we were greeted at our Uber by a valet who asked if we were checking in and immediately took our luggage. The lobby felt modern and welcoming - sleek design, soft lighting, and a calm atmosphere - without feeling overly formal or intimidating. Check-in was smooth and friendly and the staff made the experience feel personal and polished. She even explained the benefits we’d receive through our American Express booking, which I find rarely happens.
THE ROOM
After a long flight, sinking into the plush king bed was pure bliss.
For this stay, my husband and I booked the Standard King Room, and while it’s the entry-level category at the InterContinental Auckland, it definitely didn’t feel basic. The design is modern and refined — warm wood tones, soft lighting, and floor-to-ceiling windows that let in plenty of natural light.
The combination of wood and marble in the room’s furniture was a major design inspiration.
The king bed was incredibly comfortable with crisp linens and plush pillows, and the soundproofing was excellent. Despite being right in the heart of Auckland’s CBD, the room stayed quiet and peaceful, even at night.
Throughout the space, there was a cohesive design theme I absolutely loved — the table, nightstands, and couch tables all featured a mix of wood and marble, giving the room a warm yet elevated aesthetic. It’s definitely something I’ll be keeping in my memory bank for future room décor inspiration. The mixed materials balanced beautifully with the soft, neutral tones of the room and made the space feel both modern and inviting.
A cozy couch corner overlooking Auckland harbor on a rainy day.
The bathroom design was equally inspiring, featuring glossy brown subway tiles that felt unexpected but sophisticated. Between the tiles, the sleek walk-in rain shower, and the large mirrors, it felt more like a design studio than a typical hotel bath. So much design inspiration - I’m itching for a home project! The toilet was separate and even featured a motion-sensor floor light — a small but brilliant touch that meant you didn’t have to flood the room with light in the middle of the night.
One design choice worth mentioning: a fogged glass divider between the shower and the bedroom. This see-through style has been trendy in hotel design over the past few years, but it’s not my personal favorite. While it’s perfectly fine for couples or solo travelers, it might feel awkward if you’re sharing the room with friends — something to keep in mind when booking.
The bathroom was sleek and functional. The brown wall tile, the marble vanity and the gorgeous brown woods felt cozy and contemporary.
The room also featured a spacious seating nook, a well-lit workspace, and a minibar stocked with local New Zealand treats and wines. While the prices were predictably high, the selection was beautifully curated and added to the overall sense of luxury.
THE AMENITIES
Even the water station is a design statement — stylish, sustainable, and functional.
What really stood out to me were the thoughtful, eco-friendly details that didn’t sacrifice style. In an effort to be more environmentally conscious, there were no single-use plastic water bottles in our room. Instead, a sleek glass carafe was provided in the minibar, accompanied by a note explaining where to find the filtered water station in the hallway. It’s hard to miss — not only is it conveniently located near the elevator banks, but it’s also full of design inspiration itself. The marble water fountain feels modern, sculptural, and dare I say, a little sexy. It’s the kind of small touch that makes a hotel feel truly elevated — thoughtful sustainability wrapped in impeccable design.
This blend of functionality and aesthetics sums up the InterContinental Auckland perfectly. Everything feels intentional, from the décor to the guest experience, and it’s clear the hotel is finding ways to embrace modern values — like sustainability — without compromising its signature sense of luxury.
DINING AND BREAKFAST
Breakfast was included with our AmEx Fine Hotels & Resorts booking — delicious and a perfect start to the day. If shakshuka is on the menu, I will order it - glad to say I was not disappointed.
During our stay, we were constantly out exploring Auckland and didn’t end up using our $100 property credit — but we did make time for breakfast each morning, and I’m so glad we did. The breakfast at Advieh, the hotel’s restaurant, was top notch and absolutely worth it.
If you’re booking a stay at the InterContinental Auckland and have the option to include breakfast, do it. It’s one of the best hotel breakfasts I’ve had in recent years and a definite highlight of our stay.
Breakfast menu options at Advieh.
Advieh offers both a buffet and à la carte menu, giving guests the best of both worlds. The buffet includes a beautiful spread of fresh fruit, yogurt, breads, and a live egg bar for made-to-order dishes. On top of that, you can order from the menu — I went with the shakshuka, and it did not disappoint. The flavors were bold, rich, and perfectly balanced.
And as someone who takes coffee seriously, I have to say the iced latte was one of the best I’ve had anywhere in New Zealand which is saying something, because I found much of the country’s coffee scene surprisingly underwhelming.
Even if you’re not usually a breakfast person, the morning experience at Advieh feels like a treat. Between the quality ingredients, presentation, and friendly service, it’s absolutely worth including when booking your stay.
HOW WE SAVED MONEY ON THIS HOTEL
A welcome note and snack waiting in our room.
Heading to Auckland in the middle of a government shutdown — and facing the possibility of delayed paychecks — meant I was cutting costs anywhere I could. One benefit we rarely take advantage of with the American Express Platinum card is the annual hotel credit, but this trip felt like the perfect time to use it especially since it was just increased from $250 to $300.
We ended up booking the American Express Travel portal specifically because of all the extra perks available through the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program:
$300 credit for a prepaid stay
Complimentary third night when booking three nights or more (not always available, but we got lucky!)
Daily breakfast for two — a huge win since we’re not IHG members
USD $100 property credit to use at the hotel (dining, spa, etc.)
Just the $300 credit alone covered about half the cost of our room, making this luxury stay fit our budget better during a time when we’re unsure if paychecks will be on time.
There are other perks too — like potential room upgrades, early check-in, late check-out, and free Wi-Fi — but for us, the credits and free breakfast were the biggest money-savers. One thing I love about American Express is how fast the credits appear. As soon as the prepaid hotel charge cleared on my card, the credit showed up within a few days.
Even though I used the American Express Platinum card hotel credit to save money, all opinions are mine. This review is not sponsored by or paid for by American Express or the InterContinental Auckland. If you’ve been interested in the American Express Platinum (or any AmEx card for that matter!) here’s my referral link: American Express referral link Use it and we could both earn rewards if you are approved and get a Card! While the link should take you directly to the platinum card, you have the option to choose any American Express credit card, and any card you sign up for earns us rewards and we appreciate it!
FAQ
The InterContinental Auckland sits right on the waterfront, combining luxury with prime city access.
Does it have a pool? Sadly, no.
How far is it from the cruise terminal? 300m - less than 5 minutes walking!
How far is it from Auckland Airport? 28km. Google says it’s under 30 minutes driving but it was a solid 45 each time
What is the parking situation? Valet parking is available for 70NZD per day.
Is there an airport shuttle available? Unfortunately, no. Uber is widely available throughout the country.
Is it kid friendly? While we didn’t travel with our kids this trip, I would say yes. Many rooms have the 2 queen bed option, connecting room option, and there’s enough on the breakfast menu to appeal to many picky eaters. There’s also the option to hire a nanny at the hotel, if needed.
If you liked this hotel review and are interested in reading more of them, check out these other hotels I’ve reviewed over the years, many of which are kid friendly since we travel with kids in tow!
