If there’s one thing a Design Hunter™ can’t get enough of it’s amazing hotels. We look to these ‘homes away from home’ as destinations, not mere base camps.
So while the New Zealand city of Auckland has a lot to offer – natural beauty, an exciting design culture and fantastic bars and restaurants – but one of its landmarks is a destination you’ll want to spend some time in.
The Hotel DeBrett is like history updated. The historic building rose from the ashes of the old Commercial Hotel in 1925. The Art Deco hotel received a couple of refurbishments after this and was a popular meeting place throughout the 80s.
In 2009, current owners John Courtney & Michelle Deery opened the new Hotel DeBrett – with 25 rooms, a bar (House Bar) and restaurant (Kitchen) – honouring the original Art Deco style while nudging it into the 21st Century.
Designed by Architectural firm Mitchinson Simiona with interior design by Martin Hughes Design the new building received major renovations including the addition of the central glass-roofed two-storey atrium
You’ve got the choice of four different rooms, from a ‘Classic Room’ to a ‘Duplex Suite’. Each room features beautiful classic furniture, bright contemporary touches of colour (including the amazing striped carpets), high-quality linen and sleek black-mosaic bathrooms.
Throughout the hotel’s history House Bar has been at the heart of it’s goings on, inviting visitors to relax and enjoy each others company, with a private drawing room for hotel guests, while the new Kitchen restaurant (headed up by Chef Mark Sycamore) offers a range of New Zealand culinary offerings.
Hotel DeBrett can be found in Auckland’s CBD between High and Shortland Streets. Best to book yourself in for a few extra days if you’re planning to see the city, because you’ll want to get to know this piece of Auckland’s history before you step foot outside.
Hotel DeBrett
hoteldebrett.com
Soon to be a member of Design Hotels
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