Alex Catarinella

Hotel DeBrett

  • Where:
  • Why:After a week of shows and after-parties at New Zealand Fashion Week, I decided to treat myself with a one-night R&R stay in a loft suite at the DeBrett.
  • When:Late August.
  • Who:Me.
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Hotel DeBrett Time for a midday nap -- in a velvet robe, a major perk provided by the hotel.

Time for a midday nap -- in a velvet robe, a major perk provided by the hotel.

Hotel DeBrett Honey, I’m home!

Honey, I’m home!

Hotel DeBrett Lobby pillow being cute.

Lobby pillow being cute.

Hotel DeBrett My view of the cute lobby from the stairway to hotel heaven.

My view of the cute lobby from the stairway to hotel heaven.

Hotel DeBrett Even the hallway leading to my room is hip as hell.

Even the hallway leading to my room is hip as hell.

Hotel DeBrett Welcome to my goosebump-inducing loft suite. So good.

Welcome to my goosebump-inducing loft suite. So good.

Hotel DeBrett Sofa-fuckin-amazing, right?

Sofa-fuckin-amazing, right?

Hotel DeBrett Isn’t she a cutie?

Isn’t she a cutie?

Hotel DeBrett DIVE IN!

DIVE IN!

Hotel DeBrett Let’s get dizzy and head upstairs.

Let’s get dizzy and head upstairs.

Hotel DeBrett Time for brunch room service. That’d be the “smoked kahawai hash cakes” with poached free range eggs, baby spinach and salsa verde. And a flat white, of course.

Time for brunch room service. That’d be the “smoked kahawai hash cakes” with poached free range eggs, baby spinach and salsa verde. And a flat white, of course.

Hotel DeBrett Spacious main bathroom.

Spacious main bathroom.

Hotel DeBrett Hello there, heaven.

Hello there, heaven.

Hotel DeBrett A bamboo ladder in the bathroom, because, why not?

A bamboo ladder in the bathroom, because, why not?

Hotel DeBrett Bathroom #1.

Bathroom #1.

Hotel DeBrett Love these products.

Love these products.

Hotel DeBrett RAIN ON ME.

RAIN ON ME.

Hotel DeBrett The next morning, I headed to breakfast downstairs in this beautifulness.

The next morning, I headed to breakfast downstairs in this beautifulness.

Hotel DeBrett And then I thought, “Is it too early for a cocktail?”

And then I thought, “Is it too early for a cocktail?”

Hotel DeBrett It was raining a bit -- it was winter in Auckland, but felt more like fall in NYC.

It was raining a bit -- it was winter in Auckland, but felt more like fall in NYC.

Highs & Lows

  • Everything about the hotel is beautiful. The lobby. The restaurant. The bar. The drawing room. The hallways, the staircases, the elevator, the light fixtures, the furniture. And, obviously, the rooms. I could rave about the hotel’s designs for ages…

  • I stayed in the two story loft suite complete with a spiral staircase carpeted in zany colorful stripes. Two bathrooms (one featuring a great standalone shower and great bath) with so many mirrors and great lighting. I love the zany bathroom tiles. The bed is heavenly -- goose down comforter, hand printed throws and pillows. The suite is decorated with great art and funky furniture from local artists and designers. The room made me feel so damn good! Especially when I threw on that velvet robe after a bubble bath with their ‘Sans’ New Zealand products.

  • You’ve gotta get room service -- the flat whites are a must. But I strongly suggest heading to the gorgeous restaurant. Extremely well-lit via natural lighting and high ceilings. There was a complimentary breakfast during my stay. They’ve got it all, but I also suggest the simple things. Like the delicious jams and scones, yogurt and granola, and fresh fruit -- FIGS!

  • I needed to do some work on my laptop after brunch, and wanted to get out of my room for a bit. I sat in the hotel guests only ‘Drawing Room’ -- cozy and super cute room featuring a well-stocked bookcase (and bar!) and a record player. Uh, they also have a MacBook…! WTF? Too great.

  • No complaints. Seriously. I wanna live here.

The Barometer

  • Design

  • Website

  • Environmental Consciousness

  • Night's Sleep

  • Service

  • Amenities

  • Takeable Treats

  • Refer a Friend

  • Overall Value

  • Life Changing

Total: 47/50

Important Bits

  • Type

    Beautiful family-owned boutique hotel.

  • Vibe

    Hip and artsy but a very warm vibe.

  • Location

    Located on High Street, which boasts a slew of the greatest restaurants and shops -- lots of local fantastic Kiwi designers, too.

  • Rooms

    25

  • Music

    Not that I recall…maybe in the bar.

  • Year Opened

    2009

  • Designed By

    Apparently it’s a historic building that was remodeled to become this beautiful boutique hotel by owner Michelle Deery, in association with Stewart Harris of McIntosh Harris Design. It opened as the DeBrett in 2009. Lots of gorgeousness -- from the light fixtures, funky furniture, New Zealand art and photography, etc.

  • Health & Wellness

    There’s an off-site gym, apparently. And the hotel can arrange a yoga instructor and personal trainer.

  • Restaurant

    DeBretts Kitchen. Delicious.

  • Bar

    Cool, colorful bar called Cornerbar. Retro lighting and design and filled with cuties.

  • Minibar

    Your standard selection of snacks.

  • Children

    Sure. You can prearrange a babysitter through the hotel, too.

  • Price

    Appropriate price for an A+ boutique hotel located in Auckland’s finest neighborhood.

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