Got a GrabOne voucher for Rydges Auckland so stayed there for a Saturday night in January. Hotel is right in city centre so location was perfect, the room seemed clean and staff were really nice. However, I woke up on the Sunday morning covered in red bumps over my legs, arms and belly. I thought it was an allergic reaction to something because I've never seen anything like this before, but my partner found some lumps also later on when we got home so I figured it must be something else. So after a few days, the itchy lumps were still there and so I had it confirmed as insect bites, however it can't be 100% confirmed what kind of insect it was, but it's now suspected as possible bed bug bites. Unfortunately doctors can't confirm without an actual specimen of the bug.

Apart from that, we had valet car parking, picked up the car the next day to go home and there was smashed beer bottles all over the front of the car which has caused paint damage. No one informed me that the parking at the hotel was not secure.

Anyway, emailed the hotel manager a week ago about both the damage to our car and about the bites me and my partner got, but I can honestly say, I am extremely disappointed that I haven't even so much as had a response whatsoever to date.

Spent two nights at Rydges as part of a city break, good location in central Auckland, nice room, beds were very comfortable, valet service a real bonus, staff were all very friendly and accommodating. Superb breakfast in dining room.

I choose this hotel for its very good value paying 2 for 3 deal and for its location, which is very convenient for me to get to places.

Arrived on a late flight and check in was smooth with a friendly reception, was given a room with a disabled toilet and the room was changed immediately upon request.

The room is big with a king size bed, glass top desk and office chair, mini fridge, good supply of tea/coffee/hot chocholate, plasma tv, arm chair with ottoman, iron and ironing board, adequate number of coat hangers, a bathrobe and an in-room safe. The deco is minimal and gave me a business hotel feel.

The bathroom is good size with a hair-dryer, however the water pressure was so so and the toilet seat does not fit the toilet bowl.

The cleanliness of the room is questionable as I stepped on a couple of cherry pips on the carpet. The floor lamp didn't work but was fixed straight away after informing the reception.

The bedroom window faces the next door office building and has partial view of the city, sleep quality was good as I didn't hear any noise from the street or from the air conditioning, the bed was fairly comfortable and the drape does its job.

Parking is available at the next door Harrah SkyCity Parking Building for $22 a day, or a pay and display street parking between 6pm-8am (1P weekdays & 2P weekends @ $4/hr). The Harrah SkyCity Casino is a 5 minutes walk away and along the casino there are 24 hours convenient stores as well as late night eateries, there is also an internet cafe across the road from the hotel.

One thing to note that the rooms I have seen does not has a key tag system that conserves energy, a common feature in all new hotels I've visited.

The location is great, if you want / need to be in the city. Big bed, clean room, valet parking, it's not a resort, it's a hotel in the centre of Auckland. Everything you need for a pretty decent price.