Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour

Look, they brand themselves as French chic, which you can certainly see the basis of. There are elements of the Sofitel style throughout, and the location is excellent, but unfortunately the Auckland property is starting to feel well past its best. Check in was fine, although it did take some time. If you haven’t stayed here before, finding the check in area isn’t particularly obvious either. The rooms are tired and feel pretty old. They are definitely in need of a makeover. Our room had a reasonable view, but unfortunately we were looking over a roof covered with rubbish and building materials, which certainly didn’t add to the experience. The Club Lounge was the biggest disappointment. The food was poor, the service was largely absent, and the coffee machine continually failed. When we asked for help, someone would come over, have a quick look, disappear, and then the same problem would happen again. For a hotel positioning itself as luxury, this really isn’t good enough. The Wellington Club Lounge is smaller but feels far more personal and better managed. Having experienced the Sofitel lounges in Sydney and Melbourne, which are genuinely impressive, Auckland has a lot it could learn from its sister properties. The staff themselves were good, and the valet service was excellent and very quick. Breakfast in the main restaurant was another let down. The buffet looked unappealing and the food was poor enough that we decided not to stay and eat there. For a hotel that expects guests to adhere to a smart casual dress code, you would expect the food to match that standard. Overall, the location is good and the hotel is perfectly fine, but it simply doesn’t feel like a luxury Sofitel anymore. Compared with other Sofitels we have stayed at in New Zealand and overseas, Auckland falls well short. For me, Sofitel Queenstown and Sofitel Wellington currently represent the brand much better in New Zealand. Auckland has the foundations of a great property, but it needs a significant refresh to bring it back to the standard you would expect from the Sofitel name.

The Father’s Day beer and BBQ lunch At La Maree The worst food I have ever had, the beef brisket, the ribs were tough and overcooked so badly- was not edible. The potato fries were cold /soggy we had to send them back and ask for fresh ones. The salads looked like they were made in advance, wilted & not appetising at all. The food was tasteless and not seasoned at all, so bad that we were left hungry. We left early - paid The price of $215 dollars 👎🏻👎🏻😬 leaving with an empty stomach 😲

Location to the Auckland Viaduct was great. We had access to the Club Millésime which was great for drinks and hot canapés at the end of the day. Staff were attentive and helpful. We did have a issue with the air conditioning in our room - it was noisy and at times didn’t seem to work.

​We recently stayed at Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour and found the hotel nicely appointed overall, though parts of the property are clearly beginning to show their age—far below what you expect from a 5-star hotel. ​Specifically in the room: ​Bathroom Cleanliness: The shower needed attention. There was noticeable mould buildup around the glass door hinges that could easily be scraped off with a fingernail, giving the impression that the lower parts of the shower aren't addressed adequately during daily housekeeping. ​Furniture Damage: The glass-top overlay in the main room showed noticeable water damage around the sink area. ​Broken Fittings: One of the cabinet drawers housing the tea and coffee supplies, etc., was completely stuck and couldn't be pulled out at all. ​Our dining experience at the restaurant was similarly mixed. On a positive note, the ambiance was wonderful, and both our entrees and the wine selection were outstanding—something we made sure to complement the team on at the time. ​Unfortunately, the main courses failed to live up to the rest of the meal: ​The fish soup my husband ordered was far too salty—even a small taste was overwhelming—and the presentation was quite underwhelming. ​My mushroom risotto was pleasant for the first couple of bites, but quickly became overly rich and heavy with cream, masking any real mushroom flavor. ​To help cut through the richness, I asked our waiter for a lemon wedge and chili. He agreed to fetch them, but never returned. By the time he came back to ask if he could clear the table, we mentioned that we were still waiting for the lemon wedge, but the food was already cold so we may as well consider our meal completed. The staff didn't seem particularly responsive or bothered by the oversight. ​While the location, wine, and starters were fantastic, the room maintenance issues, main courses, and slow service response mean the experience didn't quite hit the high bar of a 5-star hotel.

Thank you so much Sofitel... I can't recall how many times Ive stayed... but each time you guys just make it so wonderful. The service is fantastic, location is awesome and facilities are top notch. We will be back