It's a long way to Auckland from England. After the horrors of long distance flight (even when it's broken up by a short stopover in the wonderful Singapore) and although being made very tolerable by flying on the immaculate Singapore Airlines, it's still a relief to arrive at somewhere which combines peace and quiet with style and comfort. Thus I heaved a sigh of relief when I opened the door to my room in the Auckland Hilton and took in the chic design of the room which I had remembered with fondness from previous visits. It was about 1 o'clock in the morning when I turned up after my trip on the airport shuttle and the magnificently comfortable bed was one of the best things that had happened to me for several days. And the room always seems to be so quiet - either there was nobody else staying at the hotel (there certainly seemed to be a good number at breakfast the next morning so I discount that theory) or the rooms are brilliantly sound-proofed (I suspect this latter explanation). I slept deeply and extremely comfortably. One of the much written about cruise ships had turned up by the time I woke up (again, the quality of sound proofing had ensured that the behemoth's arrival had not disturbed me). It lurked monstrously eyeing me up across a narrow gap. I had never experienced the cruise ship phenomenon when staying at the hotel before. I had not expected its looming presence to bother me and I was surprised to find that it did a bit. The ships do spoil the stay a bit because of their blocking out of the wonderful view if you sit on your balcony and their repeated appearances do definitely detract from one of the great plus points of the hotel - it's unique situation. Still, it's not the hotel's fault and at least residents are warned of what is going to be their immediate neighbour for several hours. The breakfast is enjoyable though "crispy bacon" never seems to be crispy but the individualised coffees served with breakfast are wonderful. Apart from the cruise ships another irritation I felt run through me (and I know profits have to come from somewhere), and in an era where even the local MacDonald's is offering free wi fi, was caused by the cost of broadband access in the hotel which is somewhat eye-watering and surely should be reviewed now that it is a "normal" service for a hotel to provide. Still, if I go back to Auckland again, I have a sneaking suspicion that I shall try to stay at The Hilton again, after two or three visits it's an entity that feels like an old friend. At the end of the day, it's the air of quietness and peace that I experience there that draws me back and helps me to ignore the cruise ships and their greedy grabbing of a the wonderful view which the Hilton offers when the ships are not there.
- Auckland Hilton
