The Hotel Britomart Hotel

Auckland, New Zealand

Taking a front-row seat on Auckland’s Waitematā harbour, amid a downtown cityscape that puts sustainability at the fore, New Zealand’s only 5 Green Star hotel proves an eco-first approach can go hand-in-hand with luxury.

Two eye-catching, adjoining towers are constructed out of 150,000 handmade bricks. Inside, ceramics, Fulcrum lamps and driftwood door handles showcase local craftsmanship while a patchwork of bricks and native timber blend with soft eucalyptus pink and sage tones. With Scandinavian and Japanese design leads, artwork adds a Kiwiana stamp – from traditional Māori paintings to the lobby’s cracked charcoal wall (a representation of the natural volcanic sands). Port or skyline views await in your room and for a sun- catching terrace, check into one of the five rooftop suites. Downstairs, Tom Hishon’s restaurant Kingi plates up responsibly sourced seafood – the fishermen named alongside their catches – while the Chef ’s Library and the Wine Library offer intimate dining.

The needle-like Sky Tower is a few minutes’ stroll away and at 220 metres, its viewing platform is ideal for counting Auckland’s 50 volcanoes. A weekend in the City of Sails demands a cruise around the harbour or further along the coast to spot wild dolphins. Back on land, wash fresh crayfish, green-lipped mussels and oysters down with the crispest kiwi sauvignon blanc.

Doubles from £163. 00 64 9 300 9595, thehotelbritomart.com

Words by Megan Dickson

This review was taken from the January/February 2022 issue of Food and Travel. To subscribe today, click here.