A striking 5* hotel on the iconic Auckland waterfront, Conran and Partners’ design fuses urban grit with Maori craft, delivering a memorable experience celebrating New Zealand’s rich cultural heritage and waterfront charm.
Conran and Partners created a luxury hotel with a difference, balancing the industrial gutsiness of its waterfront location and urban references with celebrating the rich tapestry of New Zealand’s natural beauty and cultural heritage through natural materials and Maori craft.
Park Hyatt Aukland’s design is a testament to the vibrant spirit of the city. The seven storey 195-guestroom Park Hyatt Auckland is located in a bespoke building created by ar+d from Singapore and Auckland based Bossley Architects. It is located in a historic plot of the former Team NZ sailing sheds along the waterfront in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter and offers guests views across Lighter Basin and beyond to Waitemate Harbour. With several distinct dining venues, flexible event spaces, a serene day spa, external swimming pool, and state-of-the-art gym facilities, Park Hyatt Auckland promises an unparalleled experience.
The design approach is inspired by Auckland Harbour’s strong sense of place and its close relationship to the vibrant city’s urban grain. Drawing upon New Zealand’s rich natural beauty and its strong multicultural heritage Conran and Partners has created a unique space with a distinctive sense of modern luxury but infused with the doen to earth nature of New Zealand. Stepping into the hotel, guests are greeted by a striking reception area that seamlessly transitions from intimate spaces to a dramatic full-height atrium, which reveals the hotel’s open corridors and central courtyards.
On the ground floor, visitors and locals are invited to mix in the numerous public areas that surround the atrium and face out onto the harbourside and its public boardwalk. A gallery wall runs along one side of the atrium serving as a canvas for collaborations with local galleries and changing exhibitions to animate the space.
The design includes a range of dining and function spaces to suit every guests’ requirements. Starting from the street-facing Pantry, a casual ground floor eatery with a dramatic, full-height atrium space that also serves as the staff dining room in democratic New Zealand. Onemata, a more fine dining experience in a relaxed setting that features an open kitchen and benefits from spectacular views out over the harbour on two sides. The Captain’s Bar, a contemporary take on a harbourside ‘pub’ but layered with Park Hyatt’s sophistication and a cosy fireplace. Then last along the waterfront is The Boathouse, a nautically inspired intimate function space that is complemented by a rooftop bar and function space and an array of larger event spaces on the first floor.
The guest rooms are located on the upper floor levels with aspects across the Wynyard Quarter and the Harbour with suites at the building’s four corners with the largest on the top floor boasting views across to the wider harbour. All rooms have full height windows and many have balconies, the guestroom corridors are open to the atrium and have windows out on all sides as well as a Sky Garden on each floor, a dramatic cantilevered terrace space which entices guests outside to enjoy the views. In addition, almost all rooms feature an external bathroom with views out over the Auckland waterfront or city. The design for the guest rooms is again inspired by nautical references and Maori craft with a warm palette of timber and furniture in-built as if on a yacht. Each room has a woven wall art panel that was deisgned by a Maori weaver and produced by a New Zealand based mill for the hotel.
The guest rooms exude warmth and restrained sophistication, with a palette of timber and soft fabrics reminiscent of a luxury yacht. Every detail has been thoughtfully curated to give a sense of elegance and luxury, ensuring an unforgettable stay for every guest.
Park Hyatt Auckland stands as a testament to the city’s vibrant energy and timeless allure, offering guests an unparalleled luxury experience that blends urban chic with natural beauty. Whether indulging in culinary delights, unwinding in the serene spa, or simply soaking in the panoramic views, guests are invited to embark on a journey of indulgence and discovery in the heart of Auckland’s vibrant waterfront.
Project: Park Hyatt
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Design Studio: Conran and Partners
Photo Credits: Hyatt
Website: conranandpartners.com
