The Ultimate Wellness Staycation With Pullman Auckland Awaits…

Daylight savings mark the start of warmer weather where beach days, after-work al fresco dining and summer holidays are so close we can almost taste the Aperol spritz. We’ve already started to plan our classic Kiwi camping holidays, banking up the last dregs of our annual leave and Googling “Gen Z-coded professional but slightly humorous out-of-office responses.” But alas, the last few months of the year do tend to drag, with last-minute deadlines, holiday events and client meetings rapidly filling up our calendars. This is where burnout really starts to set in. 

What better way to give yourself a taste of what's to come, while also alleviating any pent-up stress you may be experiencing than by indulging in one last self-care weekend to prepare you for the last slog to December? Remix Features and Lifestyle Editor, Nina and her husband were treated to just that - with the ultimate wellness staycation at Pullman Auckland.

Checking in on a Friday afternoon, we pulled into the grand foyer and promptly had our car chauffeured away by the concierge. Pullman Auckland is - in our opinion - situated in the prettiest part of Auckland City, nestled among the University campuses where the trees are vast and green and the surrounding Albert Park welcomes you to walk within it. Local eateries, bars and shopping districts are just a short walk away.

We were welcomed into the hotel and taken on a grand tour of the facilities by one of the friendly hotel staff. After our tour, we were guided up to our (recently refurbished) Executive Suite room on the top floor of the hotel. The room was grand, featuring a private bedroom, walk-in wardrobe, ensuite with a bath and a generous king-sized bed. A separate lounge room with an extra bathroom was also big enough to add an extra bed or cot for young families. 

We settled in and went downstairs to the bar to enjoy an early evening cocktail while being serenaded by a musician singing and playing the piano. We decided to catch the last of the sunlight and went for a walk through Albert Park, which can sometimes be forgotten as a hidden gem within the heart of Auckland City. Following our walk we were treated to a delectable dinner at their in-house restaurant -  Tapestry Grill & Bar headed by Executive Chef, Johnny Roullier. The menu was vast and had plenty of options for both vegetarians and meat eaters, with thoughtful inclusions for those with food intolerances. We started with the Line caught Hauraki Gulf market fish ceviche and the Ohakune Roaster Brussel Sprouts dish, followed by the Cambridge Duck Supreme main and the Hereford Taranaki Scotch fillet. Complemented perfectly by a bottle of Hawkes Bay red from their wine menu.

The next day, following a gourmet buffet breakfast at Tapestry Bar & Grill, we embarked on the wellness portion of our staycation with a lavish two-and-a-half-hour couples treatment at Luxe Spa, located on the bottom floor of Pullman Auckland. We started with a luxurious and soothing foot ritual, followed by a stress-relieving 60-minute full-body Aromatic Massage and finished with a customised 45-minute facial and a 30-minute mini-pedicure. We were then guided into a private room to enjoy a cheese board and a glass of champagne. To say that we walked out of the spa facilities floating on clouds was an understatement. Pullman Auckland has thoughtfully curated a 360 approach to self-care by welcoming guests who are checking into the hotel and Luxe Spa to enjoy the pool, spa, sauna, steam room and gym, with the option to attend a complimentary yoga class on Saturday mornings. 

Our final night was spent lounging in bed in our hotel robes, ordering dishes from the room service menu and catching up on some much-needed rest. On Sunday, we packed up our things and headed back down to the restaurant to enjoy one final meal at their breakfast buffet - and let me tell you, this buffet is unrivaled. A classic hot food selection (with the best homemade baked beans I have ever tasted) was accompanied by a cereal bar, a charcuterie selection, a pastry table, and my personal favourite - the juice station with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables laid out for you to create the perfect morning beverage.

If this sounds like exactly what you need, you can book yourself your very own wellness staycation right here.