Staying at the Pullman Auckland

The Pullman Hotel in Auckland. Photo / Tessa Chrisp

Miriyana Alexander checks into an executive suite and enjoys a Sodashi facial.

Location: Central Auckland, just along from the High Court. I've spent many an hour in the hotel bar talking to lawyers awaiting a verdict. A few scoops have been secured here.

Price: From $229 a night.

Check-in experience: A small wait, and a profuse apology. We were delivered to our door in person, and given a run-down on the free Wi-Fi.

The room: An executive suite, thank you very much. That gets you a spacious, stylish bedroom, living room and bathroom set up plenty bigger than many Auckland apartments.

The bed: A far-from-ideal combination of a late-breaking news story and an early rising 4-year-old meant I'd had just four hours of sleep the previous night. But the grandparents had the 4-year-old and I could've happily spent the entire stay in this super-comfy, king-sized haven. I happily settled for nine hours of shut-eye, a recent record.

Bathroom: See above. Easily big enough for a party. Separate shower and luxurious bath with TV screen.

View: Green. We were on the eighth floor looking back to the city over leafy Albert Park. The top of the Auckland Museum could be seen to the left and the Sky Tower poked out from behind the Metropolis on the right.

Food and beverage: It was a Sunday night so not a lawyer in sight at the fairly full Omni Bar. We downed a couple of cocktails and decamped to Tapestry, the hotel restaurant, for dinner. There, a sign greeted a departing flight crew: "The pilot and co-pilot must eat different meals." They wouldn't have been stuck for choice with this extensive menu. We went for carbonara and venison. Both top notch.

Entertainment: Sky TV in the room and a wonderful pool, spa and gym complex. I had a blissful 90-minute Sodashi facial courtesy of the wonderful Miho, and fell asleep twice. Result.

Contact: pullmanauckland.co.nz

Perfect for: A luxury treat for weary couples, and a great CBD base for visiting tourists.

In a nutshell: Very good, Your Honour.