Rotorua to Auckland
March 25, 2006
I leave Rotorua and head north towards the coast. Eventually I reach the Pacific Coast Highway. I drive through the towns of Te Puke, Tauranga until I reach Waihi. At this point I turn inland and soon I reach my destination - Paeroa. There is a soft drink sold in New Zealand called L&P. I love the stuff. L is for lemon and P for Paeroa. The city of Paeroa has special mineral water that is used in the manufacturing of the soft drink. I briefly think about stopping in the town but it didn't seem worth it. A bunch of touristy souvenir shops. However, I am amused by the giant bottle of L&P soda that is 7 meters tall.
I continue on a zig-zag course for the next few hours. I reach Auckland in the late afternoon. This is where I will be staying for the next couple of days. Finding my hotel was a breeze. I was staying at the Skycity Grand Hotel. All I had to do was look up in the sky - the Skytower is easy to spot because it's the tallest building in New Zealand. The Skytower is an entertainment complex with restaurants, a casino and a theater. I didn't have any definite plans.
I continue on a zig-zag course for the next few hours. I reach Auckland in the late afternoon. This is where I will be staying for the next couple of days. Finding my hotel was a breeze. I was staying at the Skycity Grand Hotel. All I had to do was look up in the sky - the Skytower is easy to spot because it's the tallest building in New Zealand. The Skytower is an entertainment complex with restaurants, a casino and a theater. I didn't have any definite plans.
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It's all about the convenience
The Skycity Grand Hotel is located across the street from Auckland's Skycity. There is also the Skycity Hotel that is across the street, but the Skycity Grand Hotel is supposed to be more luxurious. If anything, it's much quieter because you don't have the casino and restaurants in the lobby.
Check-in was fast and efficient. I had booked a luxury king room. Nicely decorated with modern furniture. It was a good room but nothing put it over the top.
I went to the hotel's East Day Spa for a sauna and a massage. The massage was more of an aromatherapy massage instead of a deep tissue massage. It was okay but nothing special. The hotel has a gym and a pool, both of which I didn't use. I also didn't eat at the restaurants in the hotel. There are plenty of restaurants across the street at the Skycity or in the immediate neighborhood.
I would probably stay here again but I would also consider the hotels that are located on the waterfront area.
Check-in was fast and efficient. I had booked a luxury king room. Nicely decorated with modern furniture. It was a good room but nothing put it over the top.
I went to the hotel's East Day Spa for a sauna and a massage. The massage was more of an aromatherapy massage instead of a deep tissue massage. It was okay but nothing special. The hotel has a gym and a pool, both of which I didn't use. I also didn't eat at the restaurants in the hotel. There are plenty of restaurants across the street at the Skycity or in the immediate neighborhood.
I would probably stay here again but I would also consider the hotels that are located on the waterfront area.
