Aside from its wonderful location overlooking the waterfront in downtown Auckland, The Hotel Britomart is a model for environmentalism.
Not only has this 5-star New Zealand hotel been built out of 80 percent recycled materials but most of the construction waste was reused or recycled. So concerned are the owners about environmental protection, even duvets in the bedrooms are made from recycled plastic bottles and 50 percent of water used in the hotel’s construction was captured or reclaimed.
Much of the furnishings are also reclaimed materials, including a table in The Libraries Lounge - a series of intimate rooms upstairs - being the re-shaped trunk of a kauri tree and artistic lamps created from upscaled materials such as stone, metal and wood.
The Wine Library here is lit by a chandelier of hand-crafted glass and some decorations are made from corrugated iron while the walls are exposed brick.
It is no surprise to learn that The Hotel Britomart, opened two years ago with 99 rooms including five luxury rooftop suites, is the first 5-Green Star hotel in the country.
Upon entering the hotel’s lobby I immediately became aware of its attractive contemporary nature by its open, side-by-side reception desks, with no desk barrier between guest and staff who stand in trainers and chic linen clothes beside till-like terminals for check-in. Pale sofas, glass wall panels with views onto the street and floral displays by Mark Antonia help create a bright, uplifting atmosphere.
Under the direction of general manager, Clinton Farley with more than two decades of hospitality experience, respect for native Maori tradition is obvious throughout the hotel, with sinker stones (or mahe) used to weight fishing nets as decor in the elevators, as well as Maori artwork called Maunga by Shane Cotton in various public spaces.
My room, 808, was flooded with natural light flowing in through three windows, presenting panoramic views across Takutai Square to Waitemata Harbour and on to the ocean where sailing boats and cruise ships shared the water. Featuring timbered floors and walls and a stone-floored bathroom, furnishings included hand-made ceramics, mini-bar, a long window-side settee, side-table, large wall TV and coffee and tea facilities. The bathroom was complete with robes, and toiletries by Sans Ceuticals, a company founded by New Zealand born, Lucy Vincent.
The location of the Hotel Britomart is a paradise for shopaholics, a little oasis in an urban centre situated beside arcades with a plethora of lively cafes and restaurants and fashion-to-cosmetics retail outlets just a few steps outside the front door.
Dining takes place in Kingi, a restaurant named after the kingfish, and The Courtyard, in a renovated masonic house on the ground floor, with rustic solid wood beams and a handmade 600-piece chandelier high above. My companion and I enjoyed a long, leisurely Sunday lunch there which began with freshly-pressed orange, apple, carrot and ginger juice served by our effervescent hostess, Heyhey Liu, simply known as Hei Hei.
Our opener comprised banana tahini loaf which came slightly toasted with drops of chocolate, coconut yogurt and olive oil.
There then followed a multi-course kingi menu fit for a king devised by chefs Tom Hishon and Andrew Lautenbach with emphasis on farming and fishing sustainability.
Consider as a series of starters: oysters from Te Matuku Bay with vinaigrette and onion accompaniment; poached octopus with onion, capers and peppers, with orange slices adding a subtle sweetness to balance the pungency and saltiness; sea urchin on sourdough bread, with a slice of pancetta on top, a powerful sea taste grounded by the meat; green-lipped mussels with a nudja sauce of pork and garlic; and cheese with a cover of herbs, red berries and olive oil.
For mains, my companion chose slices of venison on a bed of beetroot and roasted cherry tomatoes with paua and I whole flounder with almonds and capers. There was complete agreement on dessert, a deliciously decadent dish of chocolate mousse with cream and pistachio sprinkles.
Catering to both visiting tourists and business and personal events, the eco-friendly The Hotel Britomart benefits from terrific cuisine, friendly service and an excellent location close to Auckland's many attractions.
