The tennis-mad Heritage Auckland hotel.

The Heritage Hotel. Picture / Geoff Dale

Just imagine you're up against the world's best at the Heritage tennis court.

When it comes to watching tennis and famous tennis players, the inner-city hotel Heritage Auckland wins, game, set and match.

Not only are the stars of the ASB Classic women's tournament, starting tomorrow, guests in the plush hotel, but some of the world's top men's players will also be staying during the Heineken Open which starts January 9.

Wandering the corridors of the former Farmers building will be such women players as top seeds Nadia Petrova and fellow Russian Elena Likhovtseva, while expect to see Wimbledon semifinalist Mario Ancic and Australian great Mark Philippoussis getting into the swing of things at the hotel.

At the Heritage Auckland, you can improve your game with a private lesson on the on-site court. Racquets are free for guests but you'll have to book a court for hour-long sessions, or hire a coach for a one-on-one session.

In need of some courting experience, my Significant Other and I checked into the Heritage Auckland to indulge in one of the hotel's packages (see below). Our deal included a night in a one-bedroom suite in the new wing, valet parking, a bottle of bubbly and a cooked breakfast, all for $259.

While the main part of the hotel comprises the renovated Farmers building, we stayed in the new Tower wing adjoining the main building. The apartment-style suite had a self-contained kitchen, a cosy open-plan dining and lounge area, a large bedroom with its own TV and a bathroom with laundry facilities.

From our balcony we could spot the tennis court directly below us and there's an outdoor pool on the roof of the old Farmers building.

Citing tennis elbow, I declined a lesson and sent Significant Other to practice his serve, forehand and backhand with an Auckland Tennis Association coach.

With many hotel pools now indoors, I thought the Heritage Auckland should be awarded star status for its outdoor pool area. After a quick dip in the deep pool, I snaffled a lounger from an unsuspecting German tourist, donned my iPod and turned my attention to the view, gazing over the rooftops of nearby office buildings to the bustling Auckland Harbour Bridge and beyond.

Instead of using the pool shower, I headed back to our suite where Significant Other was back from tennis and smarting at the news that the closest he'd get to a Heineken Open was a glass of beer.

After enjoying oyster entrees - bought from the nearby Seamart seafood outlet - and a bottle of champagne on the balcony, we opted for the Viaduct Basin for dinner only because the nearby fabulous The Grove restaurant is closed on Sunday nights.

The next morning, before we could say "Mark Philippoussis", it was time for breakfast and our 10am checkout. Here's a winning tip for a romantic break: book a late checkout.

NEED TO KNOW...

Contact
The Heritage, Hobson and Wyndham streets, Auckland city, ph 0800 368 888, or visit www.heritagehotels.co.nz (link below)

Packages
Heritage Classic: superior room including cooked breakfast, $199
Distinctively Heritage: one-bedroom deluxe suite including cooked breakfast, $219
Suite Celebration: one-bedroom executive suite including cooked breakfast, champenoise and valet car parking, $259
Suite Romance: one-bedroom executive suite, breakfast, a bottle of Mumms champagne and two bathrobes to take home, $399
Suite Indulgence: one-bedroom executive suite, cooked breakfast, bottle of Mumms champagne, chocolates, Crabtree & Evelyn kit and an a la carte dinner for two in Hectors restaurant $499- HERALD ON SUNDAY