Chic indulgence in the capital
Usually hard to please, Sharon Stephenson finds plenty to luxuriate in, staying at the InterContinental in central Wellington.
Aluxury hotel that’s played host to the All Blacks, Scarlett Johansson, Hillary Clinton and One Direction was never going to be ordinary.
The nine-storey InterContinental Wellington, located between Featherston St and the waterfront, is definitely something special.
The place
Built in 1990 as the Park
Royal, the hotel was rebranded as the InterContinental in 2001.
A whopping 236 guest rooms and suites stretch across this city block, plus two eateries, a spa, and a flash Bentley Flying Spur to transport guests to and from the airport.
If that’s not enough to sweeten the deal, there’s also the largest heated swimming pool in Wellington.
Fans of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies should snap a photo of the 128 pieces of wood, sourced from the set of The Hobbit, which now adorn the fireplace in the hotel lobby.
The location
The InterContinental Wellington must get the Oscar for the most centrally-located global five-star hotel in the capital. If you’re lucky, you’ll get views overlooking Wellington Harbour.
If that’s not your jam then a view of high-rise corporate towers and office drones busy greasing the wheels of commerce and government might suit.
The space
Interiors strike a clever balance between chic and contemporary luxury, with a pared back palette of sand, black and grey.
If you’re the kind of person who cares about tactile elements, you’re in luck – there’s lots of soft cotton, warm wood and plush velvet. There’s no need to skimp on luggage either, because there’s heaps of storage.
One of the best features is the Spa InterContinental on the second floor, an oasis of calm in the central city.
Step through the enormous wooden doors imported from Morocco and you’ll feel as though you’re in the North African country: there are gold accents, a traditional tea urn, and the smell of mint and rose petals.
Treatments, using the French Sothys products, run from 30 minutes to two-hour muscle-relief and de-stress massages. Travellers will love the foot and leg revival, which incorporates gels to help combat jet lag.
The ultimate indulgence is the New Zealand restoration ritual, which includes a full-body brush, exfoliation with a delightful-smelling cinnamon, and ginger scrub and a Rotorua thermal mud wrap. While that’s doing its thing, they’ll massage your scalp and apply a ma¯nuka honey hair mask.
You’re in the central city so there’s no shortage of things to occupy your time and drain your wallet. Shop until your heart’s content on Featherston St, Lambton Quay and Willis St. It’s a short walk from there to the Cuba Quarter and Courtenay Place where you’re spoilt for choice for eateries, bars and a spin around the dance floor.
The distance from Wellington’s party zone means it’s close enough to walk or Uber to, but also far enough away that it won’t disturb your sleep.
The food
There’s Two Grey Bar & Brasserie, the stylish cafe on the ground floor, as well as the Chameleon Restaurant, which is currently only open for breakfast (if you can, get a selfie with the 61 chrome-dipped hands that cover one wall).
There’s also an array of light meals or a Gourmet High Tea in the Lobby Lounge.
Highlight
Staff who know and understand good service. Plus the luxury of it all and, in these times, we all need a bit of cosseting.
Lowlight
I’m usually quite picky but have tried, and failed, to find something to whinge about.
Essentials Stepping out
A standard room costs from $285 a night but check the website for specials at wellington.intercontinental.com.