After much anticipation, international luxury lifestyle hotel SO/ Auckland has removed the bollards and rolled out the red carpet, welcoming guests and nosy neighbours to eat, drink, stay and play in the heart of the city.
Renowned Kiwi fashion innovator WORLD has provided flair throughout the hotel as the signature design partner for this very individual, designer lifestyle hotel. WORLD’s influence includes the hotel’s bold emblem design, which reflects the volcanic history of Auckland, the natural beauty of New Zealand and the history of the building itself.
Located in prime position at 67 Customs Street East, SO/ Auckland occupies the former Reserve Bank and home of the country’s gold reserves. As the seventh addition to the SO collection of rebellious lifestyle hotels around the globe, and the first to open in the Pacific region, SO/ Auckland shatters conventions.
Playing on the volcanic theme, guests can choose their room design style from Vapour, Liquid and Solid in all SO Cozy, SO Comfy, SO Club and SO Studio rooms. A floor has been dedicated to Penthouse Suites, each enjoying their own exclusive style; SO Lofty features a Caldera theme and SO VIP, an Exposure theme. Set to become one of the city’s most Instagrammable hot spots and the place to be seen, SO/ Auckland is the city’s hottest travel and lifestyle destination for locals and visitors alike.
Following in the line-up of celebrated fashion designers, WORLD joins an international stable that includes Mr Kenzo Takada in Mauritius, Monsieur Christian Lacroix in Bangkok and Viktor&Rolf in Berlin. An obvious fit for the hotel due to their bold, energetic, playful style, WORLD’s touch can be seen in everything from the staff ‘attire’, wallpaper, suite artwork, neon art installations and, most importantly, the hotel’s unique emblem.
Furniture and lighting installations by Dutch design house, Moooi delight throughout the hotel. Most spectacularly, Mixo Bar on the ground floor entrance is home to the hotel world’s first Mega Chandelier created by Marcel Wanders.
The HI-SO rooftop bar, with expansive views of the Waitemata Harbour and Rangitoto Island, is set to transform the way Kiwis and visitors socialise this summer.
A feat for New Zealand’s already bursting culinary scene, SO/ Auckland’s Harbour Society restaurant on the 15th floor is home to French Chef Marc De Passorio, former owner of the Michelin-starred restaurant, L’Esprit de la Violette. Marc sold L’Esprit de la Violette and jumped at the chance to make Auckland his next culinary home.
And what’s a designer hotel without the most indulgent of spas? SO/ Spa is bringing the big guns (and potions) to answer all beauty, wellness and relaxation prayers. With innovative offerings like Himalayan detox therapy, Tibetan sound healing, chakra balancing and peeling Chlorella masks, there is something to relax and revitalise every type of spa-goer. Whether it is a quick morning-after eye treatment or combatting jetlag, there are spa treatments aplenty.
Rates begin from $469NZD per room per night and each of the hotel’s 130-rooms includes its own luxurious bath, an abundance of natural light, a separate rain-shower, on-demand, in-room technology, complimentary non-alcoholic mini bar and Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and a choice of harbour or city views. Harbour view rooms also have outdoor balcony access.
The hotel is also home to the Club Signature lounge, SO/ Fit and an indoor heated pool, and has a café opening early 2019.
