A boutique stay tailored just for you
Taika Waititi led the way, staying at the luxury hotel before it was meant to open, and you too can be treated like family at Ponsonby’s Hotel Fitzroy, writes Angela Quigan.
With no indication our border restrictions will be eased soon, opening a (luxury) hotel is risky business. But Hotel Fitzroy (curated by Fable) has that something extra that makes it truly special and well worth the staycation.
It was to launch mid-September last year, but opened a week early so Kiwi director Taika Waititi had somewhere to crash.
The place
Hotel Fitzroy, an intimate 10-suite boutique hotel in the Auckland suburb of Ponsonby.
Location
The beautifully restored landmark villa sits proudly on the corner of Richmond Rd and Fitzroy St.
The space
From the moment you ring the doorbell and are greeted by the signature scent of ‘‘saffron suede’’ to the minute you (reluctantly) leave, Hotel Fitzroy offers a completely curated experience.
The entire stay was about personal touches, with a hostess who would take care of all our needs, and encouraged us to make ourselves feel at home.
There is no such thing as reception. Instead, we take a seat in a Moooi designer chair, and sip on a welcome beverage of ma¯nuka, lemongrass and ginger tea while our hostess gets to know us, recommends things to do and places to eat, and takes our breakfast and coffee orders for the following morning.
The rooms (six in the main villa and four in an architecturally designed building at the back), with their high ceilings and the original villa windows, are beautifully decorated Everything from the furnishing to the fittings feels carefully selected.
Dripping in velvet, pillows and soft textures, with a king bed and spacious en suite, our suite includes a complimentary mini bar, Nespresso, Dyson hair dryer and T2 Tea. Hotel Fitzroy strives for sustainability. Even the stylish room keys are made from recycled wood.
At 5pm, we are invited to the hotel ‘‘library’’ – a sitting room boasting a wine fridge and drinks trolley – for hors d’oeuvres. This was unlike any other hotel experience, we were being hosted, not served.
Fitzroy’s manager, Carol, joined us for a drink, asking us about ourselves and sharing stories of her own. It was as if we had been welcomed into a friend’s incredible home for a catch-up, and it was these personal touches that made the stay unique.
If you weren’t keen to mingle with other guests, the sundrenched balcony, with bean bags and picnic tables, welcomed you with open arms.
After enjoying dinner just a five-minute stroll away on Ponsonby Rd, we were encouraged to enjoy a moment of quiet, and a nightcap back in the library. The well-stocked bar, which includes a tumbler of whisky, is complimentary, and is open for guests to help themselves until midnight. While the hotel itself doesn’t have a restaurant, guests have access to a 24-hour ‘‘hunger buster’’ room service menu.
We are served breakfast in bed, with dishes from a local produce menu, designed by awardwinning chef Jinu Abraham. My pancakes came with grilled banana, a bowl of muesli, fruit salad, yoghurt, and pastries, as well as my coffee of choice. I often opt out of in-room dining because, by the time it gets to you, it’s no good, but this is presented as you would expect on a restaurant table, and the portions were generous.
If you’re someone who likes to eat breakfast out of bed, on a good day you’re welcome to eat in the sun on the balcony.
Stepping out
There’s plenty of window shopping to be done at Ponsonby Rd’s boutique stores, and with Ponsonby Central, the Ponsonby Food Court and restaurants (from fine- to family-style dining), there are endless options for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Verdict
Perfect for a luxurious escape from reality – I didn’t want to leave.
Essentials
All-inclusive rooms from $382.50.
Highlight
Breakfast was 11/10.
Lowlight
A bath in the suite would have been the icing on the make-yourself-at-home cake.