Set in the heart of downtown Auckland, in the Britomart district among designer boutiques, offices, eateries, bars, some of Auckland City’s oldest buildings and its newest architecture, the SO/Auckland hotel has burst onto the scene, the 8th hotel in the award-winning collection. Each SO Hotel® in the world brings its own artistic vision to life by utilizing iconic architects, interior and fashion designers, a sense of place inspired by the locale of the property, and ‘Just Say SO’ service to make each hotel its own individual avant-garde masterpiece. Auckland employed the services of renowned Kiwi designer label WORLD as the signature design partner influencing the hotel’s bold emblem design, which reflects the volcanic origins of Auckland, the natural beauty of New Zealand and the history of the building itself as the former Reserve Bank site.
The emblematic signature design print created by Benny Castles, Designer and Director for WORLD, is used in the artwork, wallpaper designs for the signature suites, cushions for the chauffeured cars and attire for the staff that encourages individual expressionism. “We created a stylized topographical map of Auckland and over-inflated the role of volcanoes. The emblem needed to be both nostalgic and futuristic, appealing to Auckland’s mythical past but setting itself in the future of what this city will become. The swirling, hypnotic effect feels as though you’re looking directly into the eye of a volcano, reflecting that feeling of stepping into a boutique hotel; a hypnotic experience where the outside world is left behind and a new experience begins.”
The 130-room boutique hotel features furniture and lighting installations by Dutch design house Moooi, which creates an intriguing ambience throughout the hotel. The ground floor entrance features a couple of black leather sofas turned on their sides, mannequins wearing high fashion and a spectacular Mega Chandelier created by Marcel Wanders.
Playing on the volcanic theme, guests can choose their room design style in all SO Cozy, SO Comfy, SO Club and SO Studio rooms from the elements of Solid, featuring tones of black and gold; Liquid with a mystical space of molten lava colored artwork and warm-tones hues; and Vapour, an open plan space with stonewall tiles and pink hues sprinkled across the room in artwork, wallpaper and cushions inviting guests to escape into a volcanic mist.
SO Suite, SO Lofty and SO VIP come in different styles and all have access to the Signature Club.
Contemporary touches include in-room WiFi access, leading edge technology and both His & Hers amenities. The bed is a comfortable Sofitel MyBed™, and the mini-bar is complimentary with local snacks and drinks.
The Signature Club is the VIP lounge for where guests can enjoy an exclusive breakfast, signature afternoon tea and evening canapés along with refreshments available all day long – a peaceful and relaxing retreat.
Eateries include French chef Marc de Passorio’s Harbour Room and Hi So Bar on the 15th floor; plus Mixo on the ground floor for cocktails and appetizers. Note: These venues are currently closed due to COVID-19.
SO Spa, SO Fit and an indoor heated pool complete the SO balanced approach “to detox and retox, indulgence and nourishment, community and the individual.”
