Voco Auckland City Centre opened its doors to guests at 58 Albert St last Thursday, but one of its key attractions isn't opening for some weeks yet.
Bar Albert will open in mid-June and when it does - on level 38 - it will be the highest rooftop bar in Aotearoa, towering over the likes of The Churchill on the 20th floor of the Four Points by Sheraton and Hi-So's Rooftop Bar on level 16.
"The glamorous Art Deco-inspired bar will feature an open deck and moody, sumptuous interiors enticing guests to enjoy a tipple either inside or out," promised Voco owner IHG Hotels & Resorts.
It's the first Voco (stylised as 'voco') to open in New Zealand.
The new hotel also features an all-day trattoria, Mozzarella & Co, which offers the likes of artisan fired pizzas, pasta and Italian cocktails.
It has 201 rooms and suites, each featuring "plush bedding filled with 100 percent recycled materials, hand-picked artworks, user-friendly media hubs for devices & smart TVs and stylish marble bathrooms that feature eco-conscious rain showers and large-format amenities from Antipodes".
On Tuesday Voco also announced that guests at the hotel will have free access to a fleet of bamboo bicycles to use during their stay.
The partnership with Wyld Bikes is described as an expansion of Voco's sustainability initiatives, under its 'tread lightly' philosophy, which encourages customers to practice eco-conscious travel.
"We are hugely proud to be partnering with Wyld Bikes, who share our mission to create a positive impact in working toward a more sustainable future," said Dean Jones, vice president of commercial, IHG Australasia, Pacific and Japan.
"As we grow our Pacific footprint with these new voco Hotel openings, there's no better time to add new, eco-conscious initiatives that meet our guests' needs."
To promote the initiative, Voco brand ambassadors are riding around Auckland on Wyld Bikes on Tuesday. People who spot them, take a photo and post it on social media with the right hashtags go into a draw to win prizes including free nights at the hotel.
Also as part of its sustainability initiatives, Voco Auckland City Centre is using ventilation air heat recovery as part of its HVAC system to reuse excess heat before it leaves the hotel, a system designed to maximise energy use efficiency and improve indoor air quality.
