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A bold statement in the heart of the city, SO/ Auckland gloriously presides over the urban designer quarter to bestow uninterrupted views across the sparkling waters of Waitemata Harbour. Bursting with local energy, the luxury designer hotel playfully showcases its cosmopolitan soul intertwined with the vibrant urbanite spirit of Auckland.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Accor Hotels.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Nestled in the heart of the city, So/ Auckland hotel garners accolades for its exceptional service, with staff members who are both welcoming and attentive, often elevating the guest experience. The modern and chic ambiance of the hotel, coupled with its stylish rooms that boast cleanliness and comfort, consistently impresses visitors.
While the central location is a hit for its ease of access to dining and waterfront adventures, some guests suggest packing earplugs to mitigate street noise. Reviews on value vary, though many appreciate the hotel's amenities, including the lauded spa and comfortable beds.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Stylish
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Economical
Cleanliness
Spotless
Noise level
Noisy
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Well-appointed
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My 1st time coming to Auckland and New Zealand, I chose SO/ coz it is quite near Britomart the main train station and also the CBD area, although the trains there are super unreliable and would be suspended unreasonably but this is not the point of the review...
Upon arrival, I was warmly welcomed by Isabelle and Deepti, with quick check-in to my room. They have the Lobby Lounge which is an open bar right next to the reception - really SO/ chilled of vibes coz why not having booze while checking in lol Ennismore hotels also often having oversized decor as I once saw gigantic ornaments in Mondrian HK and here I found a super enormous chandelier in the lobby - super on brand.
The Superior room is very spacious, with bathtub, cosy square sofa, business desk, king bed, bathtub and sliding door for rain shower or toilet area. Minibar is complimentary and refillable, while Room Service and Laundry is chargeable. The room service is very delicious that I want to encore.
Limousine transfer is also available in sedans, MPVs and luxurious Bentley Bentayga SUV. There is indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, gym and a spa in basement, while restaurants and bars are higher up.
Throughout the stay, I would like to also give mention to Kim in Front Office for the nice catch-up when I start my day and Mark in Concierge for the recommendations and directions. While I got bit too cold for the chilled weather in NZ, it was Isabelle and Deepti who extended very nice and warm support so much thanks for them!!
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip:Â Do not rely on trains for commuting. Bus is way better covered in places and reliability. Even...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Zac Lumsden, General Manager at So/ Auckland
Responded Dec 10, 2024
Thanks for sharing your first-ever Auckland adventure with us, It sounds like you really soaked in all the SO/Auckland vibes, from the chill Lobby Lounge with drinks on check-in (because why not, right?) to the massive chandelier that gives the place some serious *wow* factor. You’ve clearly got an eye for cool decor We’re so glad you enjoyed you time in NZ. Can't wait to have you back for round two of unforgettable experiences
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I will start by saying I was absolutely amazed for my entire stay. From start to finish it was a top-notch experience. I’m a loyal Accor member and I’ve found that 5-star offerings can vary so much with the Accor group. However SO/ Auckland was an absolute standout hotel. As soon as I walked in the hotel it had an amazing smell. I was warmly welcomed by a receptionist who throughly explained the hotel and offered me a complementary drink from the bar while my luggage was taken up to my room for me. A very nice and unexpected touch. I was delighted to have received a complimentary upgrade which completely elevated the stay even further. The room was better than I was expected. I was worried about the noise being on the 3rd floor, but this wasn’t an issue during the night (ear plugs are provided, if you need) I loved the modern decor of the rooms and the bronze tones throughout with a splash of colour. I slept like an absolute king the bed was so comfortable and the pillows were perfect. I thoroughly enjoyed the amazing shower too. The breakfast buffet was a really solid offering and of good quality. There was a slight disconnect between the restaurant and reception (and was going to be charged for breakfast) even thought it should have been complimentary with being a platinum member (however this is just a very minor thing and was sorted promptly). I would also highly recommend the SO/ Spa. I had a 1hr session which was probably up there as one of the best massages I’ve had. My only negative was my 2 night stay was over before I knew it and had to leave this amazing hotel. I will make a point of staying here when I visiting Auckland in the future. I’d also highly recommended this hotel.
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Zac Lumsden, General Manager at So/ Auckland
Responded Dec 5, 2024
Liam, Thank you for sharing such a detailed and glowing review of your recent stay with us at SO/ Auckland. also great to hear you are an Accor member. We are absolutely thrilled to hear that your entire experience, from start to finish, exceeded your expectations. We sincerely apologize for the minor mix-up with the breakfast charge and appreciate your understanding. We're glad it was resolved promptly, and we’ll make sure to improve communication between the restaurant and reception moving forward. Thank you for your kind recommendation. We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit to Auckland and promise to continue delivering the exceptional experience you’ve come to expect from SO/ Auckland. Warm regards,
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A beautiful hotel with great friendly staff. Particular mention to Roy ( hope I have remembered his name right) at reception who even managed to upgrade us to a studio room when I mentioned we were celebrating our wedding anniversary. We arrived early because I wanted to experience the Yakitori Sunday session at rooftop bar HiSo and that didn’t disappoint - fantastic views out over the harbour and very tasty nibbles cooked on the grill, not to mention the cocktails! Once our room was ready we were escorted up - with our one carry on bag - shown around and given a recycled water bottle which we could keep as a souvenir. The room itself was lovely - a big comfortable bed, free standing bath tub and a sliding glass door to close off the walk in shower and the toilet. There was a free mini bar in the fridge with a few nibbles too, just to fill the gaps before dinner. Dinner at Harbour Society was very good and the servers were pleasant - they may have been a bit understaffed though as we had to wait occasionally. The duck was excellent - don’t miss trying that. Breakfast was buffet style with eggs cooked on demand and delivered to the table - my husband really enjoyed his omelette. And that was our stay - the only disappointing thing was that we were only there for one night, but we will be back!
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Zac Lumsden, General Manager at So/ Auckland
Responded Jan 15, 2025
Thanks for the amazing review, We’re so happy you chose us for your anniversary celebration. We’ll make sure Roy gets a big shout-out for the upgrade – he’ll be stoked It’s great to hear you enjoyed HiSo’s rooftop vibes, the room, and our mini-bar treats. We’re glad you loved dinner at Harbour Society (and yes, the duck is a must). We appreciate your patience with the service, and we’ll work on getting that right. We wish you could’ve stayed longer too, but we’ll be ready when you’re back Cheers,
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We recently enjoyed a delightful Christmas staycation at SO/ Auckland, and it was truly memorable. The rooms were impeccably clean and incredibly comfortable, with thoughtful touches like a complimentary mini bar that made our stay even more enjoyable. We were also impressed by the divine scent of the soap and shampoo provided.
The highlight of our trip was dining at Harbour Society, where we were warmly welcomed and served by Ben. As regular visitors to Harbour Society, we’ve built a great rapport with Ben, who consistently delivers outstanding 10/10 service. His warm hospitality and attention to detail always make our visits special, and this time was no exception. The squid entree was fantastic, it was fresh and the texture was perfecto. Thank you Ben for the recommendation.
We highly recommend SO/ Auckland for a luxurious and relaxing getaway, and don’t miss dining at Harbour Society – it’s an experience you won’t forget!
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Zac Lumsden, General Manager at So/ Auckland
SO Auckland truly impressed us. The modern, vibrant design and stunning harbour views made our stay unforgettable. A special shoutout to Aditya Patil, who went above and beyond to make our experience feel so customized and warm. My friends were incredibly touched by his thoughtful gestures. He’s a true asset to the company.
The rooftop bar and delicious breakfast at Harbour Society were standout highlights, and the location was perfect for exploring the city. We can’t wait to come back.
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Date of stay: October 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Zac Lumsden, General Manager at So/ Auckland
Responded Oct 23, 2024
Thank you so much for your lovely review, Fantastic to hear that SO Auckland left such a lasting impression on you. We’re also glad you enjoyed the rooftop bar and breakfast at Harbour Society—those are definitely guest favorites It sounds like you made the most of your time here, and explored our awesome city. We look forward to welcoming you back in the near future Kind Regards
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Kiara and flo will welcome you. Buffet breakfast forv49.
16 floor views of qucklandtou can enjot views of tge city relax wifi acaluable ask for code
Pancakes omlettes fruits cereals cakes Chilled vibe closes at 11 weekdays. Woykd reccomend for any time of day
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Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and I stayed for three nights at the end of a three week road trip through South and North Islands. We were looking forward to some luxury and relaxation following a hectic time on the move. SO/ Auckland delivered on every single level. From the very welcoming check in, when nothing was too much trouble to the friendly cheerio as we left, Deepti saw to it that we had the best time, and her personal attention was second to none.
All the facilities at SO/ are wonderful. The ambience and art throughout the lobby and the hotel are quirky and edgy, whilst feeling very comfortable.
Great specs on electrics, eg smart lights that take to your direct to your floor - great for convenience but also for security and personal safety.
The room was spacious and very well appointed, everything we needed and wanted to feel very comfortable.
The basement pool, jacuzzi and sauna helped us feel pampered and relaxed.
Breakfast in Harbour Society on the 15th floor with wonderful views over the city was exceptional. Omelettes cooked to order, a juicer, fresh orange juice, all wonderful. Everything was top quality ingredients.
We also ate an evening meal at Harbour Society and are full of praise for the food and wine.
Finally, the rooftop open air bar was lovely, the perfect way to round off each day.
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Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Zac Lumsden, General Manager at So/ Auckland
Responded 1 week ago
Thanks so much for the amazing review, We're thrilled that SO/ Auckland was the perfect spot to unwind after your epic road trip. It’s awesome to hear that Deepti took such great care of you – we’ll definitely pass along the love. We hope you had an unforgettable time in our beautiful country and look forward to welcoming you back in the near future. Regards
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I was spoilt with a staycation here for my birthday. The lobby is super artsy which makes it pretty memorable and funky, The staff were friendly and polite and I arrived to the room with a "Happy birthday" plate with some sweets. The room we were in was gorgeous, with a bathtub! Headed straight to check out the amenities, a heated pool, spa pool and sauna! Lovely wee treat. I also had the most gorgeous spa treatment by Caitlin. She was so welcoming, helpful and of course created such a relaxing safe space for my treatment, it was so lush! My skin was so soft and I felt so refreshed. The location is very central so was a short walk to some amazing food places Would LOVE to come back!
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Date of stay: October 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Zac Lumsden, General Manager at So/ Auckland
Responded Oct 20, 2024
We would love you to come back !!! Happy belated birthday We’re excited to hear you enjoyed your staycation with us, and great that you found some time to enjoy the amenities in SO Auckland. Caitlin will be delighted to hear that you enjoyed your spa treatment and felt so refreshed afterward. We’re glad our central location allowed you to explore some great dining options too Thank you for sharing your experience, and we can’t wait to welcome you back for another memorable stay. Have a great long weekend ahead, Regards,
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What a truly remarkable hotel experience my mother & I had. We stayed for one week, had the breakfast inclusion and we can both honestly say our experience was faultless. The room was beautifully decorated, spaced out & contemporary art deco. On arrival we were greeted by a beautiful welcome platter of macarons. The room was cleaned with care everyday, with the mini bar (non alcoholic) being replenished everyday.
The breakfast, was the best breakfast in Auckland. Made fresh to order you have the choice of 3 dishes and sides, with two drinks. Service with a smile everyday by the beautiful wait staff, my sincere commendation to the chef.
All staff are accommodating, friendly & sincere care to help all patrons and we felt very at home at this beautiful hotel.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I recently stayed here for a night on a girls weekend. Firstly, the positives. The staff were all absolutely amazing. Every single one was friendly & helpful. Really was a highlight of the stay. Also the pillows and beds are some of the most comfortable I have ever come across so that was great too. The restaurant, Harbour Society, is very nice with incredible views. One of the better buffet breakfasts I have ever had in New Zealand too. The bar has delicious cocktails, definitely do not miss the cocktails if you are staying here. However, I have to say I was not particularly impressed with my room. While it was spotlessly clean it felt very tired. Little things you do not expect with a 5 star hotel let it down. For example, my bath plug would not stay down so taking a bath was impossible, there was a chip in the sink, some of the furniture looked like it had seen better days and was in need of replacing. Even although I was up on the 10th floor I could hear a fair amount of street noise which I was surprised about too. The "complimentary minibar" is nothing to look forward to either consisting simply of a juice, lemonade and a ginger beer which was pretty disappointing! All in all it was a pretty good stay. I did enjoy it, however would I stay here again given the amount of other 5 star hotels in the vicinity? No I probably wouldn't.
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Zac Lumsden, General Manager at So/ Auckland
Responded Dec 5, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We’re delighted to hear that our team was able to make your stay memorable with their friendly and helpful service, they truly are the heart of our hotel, and we will be sure to pass along your kind words to them. We will certainly address the issues with the bath plug, sink, and furniture, as maintaining a high standard of quality and comfort is important to us. Thank you for the feedback on the minibar, we are currently looking at removing the free Minibar and replacing it with a fully stocked chargeable option, as all the other 5-star hotels in Auckland. This will allow guest more range.
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There are more places to choose from in the Auckland Central area.
PRICE RANGE
$144 - $216 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandAucklandAuckland Central
NUMBER OF ROOMS
130
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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