Hotel Indigo Auckland By IHG

Escape the concrete jungle of Tāmaki Makaurau and immerse yourself in the elegant and chic vibes of Hotel Indigo. Housed in a restored heritage building (Dexter and Crozier’s ‘The Motor House’), you can enter through the Square or on the other side via Bistro Saine (their lush all-day French-meets-Mediterranean restaurant—just look for the elegant Bistro Saine lettering out front).

Walking through the grand hotel entrance, you’ll find the lobby adorned in warm, golden lights and welcoming earthy clay tones and textures from local artists—all thoughtfully curated by the incredible eye of leading Australian designer and stylist, Simone Haag. Head further in towards the restaurant and you’ll spot a stunning onepū (iron sand) based piece from Aotearoa’s super-talented multidisciplinary artist, architect and designer Raukura Turei—you might remember seeing her work at Toi o Tāmaki - Auckland Art Gallery.

Don’t forget to look up before you walk in. Hotel Indigo has a whopping 41 floors—with the first 27 floors dedicated to the hotel itself, and the remaining privately owned apartments . With each floor nodding to the building’s automotive history, plus a collection of framed photographs showcasing Tāmaki’s sights and sounds by Aotearoa photographer Stuart Robertson, and even the carpets looking like the busy roads of our city—it’s a beautiful intersect between local art and history. 

The floor we stayed in (floor 25 with the most incredible views) has black and white photographs of The Civic and automotive-related details: a mirror shaped like a rearview mirror with words etched in by poet and writer Leo Christopher and a plush headboard by the beds reminiscent of vintage car upholstery. Look out the window (if you dare) and soak up the gold-detailed pattern etched onto the pavement as the miniature cars drive through the city grid.

The bathroom is lush with a rainfall showerhead and fitted out with refreshing scented Waitematā bathroom products made exclusively by Aotearoa brand MARACA for Hotel Indigo Auckland. Complete with the fanciest ghd hairdryer and a bona fide pillow menu—choose from contour to feather, hypoallergenic and beyond—plus a stacked fridge and mini bar, we’re set for a relaxing night.

Before we crack in, we’re greeted by a knock on the door. Hand-delivered by the lovely staff, and garnished with blood orange slices and a matching dark red dahlia, we’re welcomed with a Bistro Saine aperitif. Old French-style perfume bottles are given a new life as cocktail bottles, filled with white peach negroni. Created by the super talented Bar Manager Harry Huxley (Kemuri Hi-Fi) and the team over at Bistro Saine, we enjoy a pre-dinner sip—floral white peach with bitter notes of gentian root, a splash of gin and Lillet Blanc to whet our appetite before heading off to dinner at Bistro Saine (get the lowdown on that here). 

After a feast and sleep fit for queens, make sure you don’t skip breakfast—the buffet breakfast here is the stuff of dreams. From freshly cut fruits to pastries from local bakery Daily Bread just down the road (get the ham and cheese number), as well as local Little Bird Organics GF berry granola aaand a dedicated cabinet (yep, cabinet) for cured meats and European cheese—it’s giving pimp-my-toast and I’m so here for it. 

You can also pick from hot breakfast dishes made to order—eggs your way or the Bistro Saine way. With options like Beef Bordelaise Toast, Anchovy Toast or Salmon Toast—with all the caper-studded crème fraiche and pickled onions you desire, we think we’ll leave our breakfast choices to the breakfast gods a.k.a. in the hands of these breakfast chefs. For those who don’t want bread, there’s a creamy comté omelette waiting with your name on it, or you can opt for eggs on a parmesan potato gratin. I went for a simple ham and cheese croissant and a flat white, but I am definitely coming back to the classic French dessert in breakfast form—à la flaming crêpe Suzette.

Hotel Indigo feels luxurious but not out of its place in a city like Auckland. It’s like a getaway from the city but without going far (only 20-odd floors up, in fact). There’s something special seeing Tāmaki from the 25th floor with an aperitif in hand, surrounded by lush interior design. 

Words: Vicki Young | Image credit: Hotel Indigo / Jonny Valiant. 

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