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Unbeatable convenience, unsurpassed comfort, and uncommon hosting combine
to ensure an unparalleled visit to New Zealand’s vibrant first city.
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          Auckland is by far New Zealand’s largest city, and home to one in four New Zealanders. Unlike most New Zealand places Auckland is big enough to get lost in. The rapidly growing city—largest in Polynesia—is also home to traffic jams, dozens of crowded shopping districts, a vast harbor connecting two oceans, the country’s largest international airport, and more museums, theaters, casinos, restaurants than the next five largest New Zealand cities combined. Auckland is the one city in New Zealand visitors must and will see—most enter and leave New Zealand via Auckland, but, unlike smaller Kiwi cities, seeing Auckland well, with a minimum of driving stress, requires some careful planning and a conveniently located lodging. For this reason, HOME AT FIRST has lodging locations on the north side of Auckland, across the Waitemata Harbour at Devonport village, and south of downtown near the city’s major motorway between the city center and Auckland International Airport.

Auckland's skyline with
the unmistakable Sky
City Tower from
Waitemata Harbour.

Double bedroom with king bed at Auckland South Bed & Bath Suites.
The two second-floor bedrooms
have balcony views overlooking
the manicured gardens.

THE ACCOMMODATIONS: Auckland South is a small, elegant bed and breakfast lodging located on a quiet, landscaped cul de sac. The architecturally unique wood two-story frame house blends into its natural, wooded setting and offers three unique accommodations to visitors looking for comfort and style combined with a perfect base for touring and pursuing an active holiday in this, the cultural and economic heart of New Zealand.
          Two of the three bedrooms occupy the upper floor of the house. Each takes advantage of its elevation to provide balcony views of the gardens and nearby Mt. Hobson. The ground floor bedroom, while absent extensive views, offers a

exterior entrance from its private garden patio. All three bedrooms provide king-size beds, full private bathroom en suite, plus the following accoutrements:
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• Bathroom with heated towel                                         • LCD TV with Sky News
   rack, hair drier, and electric                            • Mini bar, fridge, tea and
   shaver socket                                            coffee making facilities
• Phone and high speed internet              • Ironing facilities
• AM/FM tuner, DVD and CD

          Common space for guests at Auckland South includes spacious, a luxurious lounge (with fireplace), conservatory, gathering room with bar, furnished patio, and glass-walled dining room. It is at this latter room that owner/hostess Barbara serves her guests the delectable breakfasts that

Elegant, comfortable, stylish
furnishings dominate the decor
at Auckland South. Shown is
the guest lounge..

The semi-circular glass-
walled breakfast room
inspires genial conver-
sation among guests.

have earned Auckland South at least one star of its four-star rating by guest review. Alternatively, breakfast may be served in your bedroom or al fresco on the patio. Regardless of the breakfast location, the day’s premier meal includes fresh fruit, coffee and tea, specialty breads, and a menu choice of continental or gourmet cooked items. Breakfasts are made more convivial by the opportunity to meet other guests and get to know your hosts. The lush gardens deserve a second mention. They frame the furnished patio and lawn of the main house and invite guests to enjoy coffee, conversation, or a good book in beautiful natural surroundings.
          Importantly, Auckland South restricts allergens by being both smoke-free and pet-free. It also strives to cause as little harm to the environment as possible by using eco-friendly cleaning products.
          Parking is on-street, but the street is a virtually traffic-free cul de sac and close to the main entry. Be advised that a winding stairway of some fifteen steps leads from the street to the front door at Auckland South, and may be

challenging to guests with restricted mobility or heavy luggage.
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THE SETTING: The Auckland South lodging’s leafy suburban setting promises guests quiet, green, and clean surroundings. But tranquility itself is not enough. Just minutes away are the fashionable shopping districts of Remuera, Newmarket, and Parnell, each lined with delightful boutiques and a wide variety of restaurants ready to serve a quick bite of lunch or a satisfying, creative dinner in Auckland’s trendiest neighborhoods.
 

Auckland South Bed & Bath Suites
 showing balconies and patio
 terrace AMID MANICURED GARDENS.

Sky city stands over downtown
 towers. Auckland's city center
 never sleeps. No other place in
New Zealand offers such a
variety of cultural and
 entertainment options.

THE LOCATION: The practicality of the setting makes Auckland South ideal for guests needing to be close to Auckland International Airport and wanting to be close to Auckland’s attractions. Indeed, quick on/off access to the Route 1 Southern Motorway makes the airport a twenty-five-minute drive away. Downtown Auckland is only 10-minutes drive from Auckland South, and may be reached conveniently by city bus if guests prefer to avoid the rigors of city traffic and finding and paying for parking in the city center. The downtown district is, of course, where the bulk of the action is, with museums and other cultural attractions, restaurants, casinos, the harbor ferries, and the landmark Sky Tower.

          Auckland is built on a narrow isthmus between the bays of the Tasman Sea and the South Pacific Ocean. The isthmus is an active volcano field, and dozens of small volcanic hills pock-mark the city, providing it with the unique quality of being a flat, marshy, sea-level environment dotted with mini-volcanoes. Several of these volcanic hills are incorporated into parks and provide excellent overviews of downtown Auckland. Auckland South is close to several of these including Mt. Hobson and the iconic One Tree Hill. The lodging is also within a few minutes of Pacific bay parks, including Shore Road Reserve and Thomas Bloodworth Park.

ACTIVITIES: Although sightseeing is the principal visitor activity in Auckland, dining, gaming,

Ferry departing Waiheke Island on
a frequently scheduled 40-minute
sailing for downtown Auckland.
Regular half-day Waiheke Island
vineyard tours may be booked
through the ferry operator at
its Auckland harbor terminal.

Auckland South's
welcoming hostess
enjoys providing
guests comfortable
 lodgings, a delicious
 breakfast, and
 information that
will help them get the
 most from their visit
to Auckland.

shopping, swimming, and people-watching also appear on many guests’ do-lists. Guests wishing to play golf can choose from about a dozen local and regional courses, including the excellent local Remuera Golf Club and the nationally ranked Titarangi Golf Club about twenty minutes west of Auckland South lodging.
          Visitors with sufficient time (two or more days) to broaden their visit to Auckland will want to consider a ferry trip to one or more of several islands dotting the large Hauraki Gulf east of the city, including Waiheke Island (for vineyard tours), Rangitoto Island (for hiking in a natural volcanic setting), and Great Barrier Island (for eco-touring, sea kayaking, sightseeing, and hiking).

THE HOSTESS: As with all HOME AT FIRST New Zealand lodgings, the hostess at the Auckland South lodging takes an active interest in her guests and is especially keen on sharing her knowledge of Northland. Owner/hostess Barbara is a fifth-generation Kiwi and has been serving HOME AT FIRST guests with distinction for several years. She has a great knowledge of the Auckland region, and is eager to share insights and hints with their guests of what to see and do while in Auckland. Most importantly—because many HOME AT FIRST guests begin or end

their New Zealand itineraries in Auckland—the hostess at Auckland South lodging provides a sincere welcome and soft landing at the beginning of, or memorable farewell following an unforgettable exploration of New Zealand.

THE OFFER: Auckland South lodging offers an elegant, welcoming, peaceful, and practical base from which to explore Auckland, as well as an ideal location from which to begin or end one’s New Zealand itinerary. Airy, upscale lodgings with a delectable breakfast daily make a stay at the Auckland South lodging an ideal addition to any New Zealand travel program. With a broad selection of touring options and outdoor activities close at hand, adding a stay at Auckland South

This attractive social room with
bar welcomes guests back to
Auckland South Bed & Bath Suites
following their long journeys to
Auckland, or after a long day of
exploring the Auckland region.

lodging to your independent, flexible, fly/drive HOME AT FIRST trip makes it possible to experience the New Zealand of your travel dreams.

AVAILABILITY: For current availability information, call HOME AT FIRST at (800) 523-5842, or contact us by e-mail at: info@homeatfirst.com.

Learn more about HOME AT FIRST's travel program to: NEW ZEALAND.

HOME AT FIRST IS A DESIGNATED "KIWI SPECIALIST"
TOUR OPERATOR BY THE NEW ZEALAND TOURISM BOARD.


AFFORDABLE DREAM TRAVEL WITH ALL THE COMFORTS OF HOME.