Beauty editor Ash Cometti reviews QT Auckland’s Nama-Stay wellness experience and unlocks her inner zen at this Auckland city hotspot.
It feels odd to describe a hotel chain as having a quirky personality, but QT has infused its signature eclecticism throughout, making for a memorable boutique stay no matter which
From the intuitive elevator music to greet and farewell you as you traverse floors, to the preppy-looking concierge staff or the myriad artworks (which may leave you confused as to whether you’re in a hotel or a gallery) QT hotels deliver a modernist vibe in some of the world’s busiest city centres.
An antidote to the pressures of modern living, QT Auckland is offering guests a new retreat-style experience that feels miles away from the bustling city below. Nama-Stay is the new wellness package, which the hotel launched in partnership with mobile spa service provider, Spa Nomad.
The promise
Described by QT as “a place to check in and check out” the Nama-Stay package is touted to revitalise body and mind – transforming your hotel room into a Zen-den in which to relax and recharge.
The one-night stay includes a bespoke spa treatment from the team at The Spa Nomad, with options to select from a 40-minute treatment for two people (one after the other, with the same therapist) or an hour-long treatment for one, all within the comfort of your room.
Following your treatment, the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy – a “choose your own adventure” if you will.
Options range from finding your flow with an in-room yoga session, expertly guided by the instructional video on your TV, before wrapping yourself in a plush robe for a night of room service and movies; or getting gussied up for drinks and dinner at the Rooftop at QT.
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Advertise with NZME.The next day, indulge in breakfast in your QT Dream Bed with nutrient-rich buddha bowls delivered direct to your door, with a barista-grade brew of your choice.
The practice
On a scorching Friday afternoon, I raced from my office in Auckland’s CBD to Parnell to collect my husband for our child-free night away.
Traffic was terrible and I was late picking him up. We bickered in the car on the way to the QT Auckland.
If anyone needed a moment to relax and recharge, it was two fried and frazzled parents who’d managed to coerce our babysitter (my mum) to have our children for the night.
Our collective stress began to melt away the moment we parked the car (we accidentally took it upon ourselves to run our own valet service and subsequently got buzzed into the basement carpark – normal people roll up outside and let one of the helpful QT staff run the show).
The check-in process was seamless, and the concierge staff were bubbly and affable as they handed over the keys and explained the ins and outs of our stay.
With bags in tow, we made our way to the third floor, where a massage table lay waiting.
My favourite thing to do upon check-in is to promptly spread out – finding a spot for my belongings: book, phone charger, toiletries and so on – but we only had a few moments to ourselves before Spa Nomad therapist Julie was knocking on the door.
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Advertise with NZME.She had the perfect energy for someone who would transform us from stressed to serene and was wonderfully chatty as she began laying out her products for each of our facials.
Ahead of our stay, we’d selected the Dopamine Kick package, with the choice of one of three facials to go alongside: the Collagen Skin Renewal Facial to stimulate circulation and activate the lymphatic system, the Holistic Super Facial to detoxify and de-stress or the Hydration Facial to restore glow and radiance to the skin.
Tired and slightly haggard, we opted for the Collagen Skin Renewal Facial a condensed version of The Spa Nomad’s signature treatment which typically spans one hour and 15 minutes.
The tailored treatment calls for the use of a handheld device that deploys hot and cold temperatures that Julie moved systematically around my facial contours, applied in tandem with a collagen-boosting ampoule that quickly absorbs into the skin.
Beyond this, Julie applied an enzyme peel to slough away dead skin cells, a nourishing mask to rehydrate and restore, and a relaxation head and shoulder massage to deeply unwind. As always, I tried desperately to stay awake for the purpose of this review but felt myself drifting off a few times.
The skin-plumping treatment is said to stimulate new collagen and elastin growth, supporting a healthy skin metabolism and re-energising cells for visible results after one session.
Considerably more relaxed than when we’d first arrived, we bid Julie farewell before another knock at the door – this time with two cans of No Ugly tonic for a little pre-dinner refreshment.
We were hoping to catch the sunset on the Rooftop at QT, but by the time we’d showered, I’d blasted my hair with the Dyson and we’d got ourselves ready we narrowly missed it.
Nothing that a craft cocktail and a plate of oysters couldn’t fix. We sat and chatted over drinks and dinner before deciding to call it a night and floating back downstairs to bed.
The next morning, we called for our buddha bowls and barista-grade coffee to be delivered – a nourished amalgam of avocado, falafel, kale, chickpeas, eggs and toast – to refuel with before a quick Studio Red yoga session.
My husband opted to watch videos on his phone (typical) while I flexed my way through my session – as instructed by a video on the TV and using a mat stashed in the wardrobe.
Ending our stay on a high note, we gathered our things and prepared to re-enter the real world.
The price
The Nama-Stay Package is priced at $499 and includes a one-night stay at QT Auckland, wellness welcome amenities, two 40-minute or one one-hour in-room treatment by the Spa Nomad, in-room yoga with Lululemon mats provided, two buddha breakfast bowls and barista coffees and parking for one vehicle.
The place
QT Auckland, 4 Viaduct Harbour Ave, Westhaven. Qthotels.com
The verdict
I’ve had the pleasure of staying at QT Hotels both in Aotearoa and abroad a handful of times now, but this stay felt inherently different to all the others.
There’s freedom to be found in a fully curated service menu, where you don’t have to think about what to do next but can flow from one activity to the next.
At the time of our stay, both my husband and I were feeling incredibly burnt out – so the thought of being able to indulge in some rest and relaxation away from the hectic nature of our daily lives was such a welcome treat.
This aligned well with a concept we were introduced to during our stay “Wu Wei” which translates to “doing nothing”.
While we had a handful of things lined up like The Spa Nomad facials and dinner at the Rooftop at QT, either side of those things we mostly just sat in bed chatting, reading or watching Chromecast on the TV. This is something we seldom do at home with two little ones who think our bedroom is their playground.
Nama-Stay at QT Auckland would make for an excellent gift for the burnt-out among us after a busy year, time-poor parents in need of a little breakaway, or for the hard-to-buy-for who deserve to be spoiled.
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