Found in the heart of Auckland's CBD, inside a space formerly earmarked for New Zealand's Reserve Bank, is a rooftop bar draped in designer furniture and light installations.
The city's newest luxury hotel, SO/ Auckland, is proudly the home of HI-SO on the 16th floor, boasting views of Waitemata Harbour and Rangitoto Island.
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The hotel takes on two themes throughout different areas throughout the building with a little help from fashion house WORLD, one being a nod to the volcanic history of the country's largest urban area.
Guests can choose their room design style from Vapour, Liquid and Solid in all SO Cozy, SO Comfy, SO Club and SO Studio rooms.
Hardly shaking its past life, the basement levels of the hotel retain the heavy steel doors leading to vaults, inspiring a gold theme.
WORLD's touch can be spotted from within the staff uniforms, wallpaper, suite artwork, neon art installations and the emblem.
Mixo Bar on the ground floor entrance is home to the hotel world's first Mega Chandelier created by Marcel Wanders.
SO/ Auckland General Manager Stephen Gould said he is ecstatic to finally open the doors to "Auckland's most audacious hotel".
As the seventh addition to the SO collection of lifestyle hotels around the globe, it is the first to open in the Pacific region.
Since 2011, the global SO team have been working toward the opening with each guesthouse unique to its location.
Already established for serving exquisite cuisine, Harbour Society restaurant, found on the 15th floor, is a habitat to the former owner of Michelin-starred restaurant L'Esprit de la Violette, French chef Marc de Passorio.
After visiting New Zealand in 2012 for the first time, he fell in love with the country, produce and wine as well as the scenery and people.
"I'm so pleased to have touched down in my new, beautiful home," he said.
The SO/ includes a gym and indoor heated pool and promises a luxurious bath, a separate rain-shower, on-demand and in room technology in each suite.
Newshub.
