Rydges Wellington

Wellington is a locavore’s dream. Nestled on the southern end of New Zealand’s North Island, this gastronomic paradise is wrapped around the iconic harbour, within a stone’s throw of Lambton Quay, Sky Stadium, Queens Wharf, Wellington Railway and the ferry terminals.

With all of this within a short walk or drive, there’s no finer place to stay in this little capital of cool than Rydges Wellington.

What You’ll Love…

The Location — Easy access to two of New Zealand’s famous wine regions

Framed by the vine-laced hills of Martinborough — an hours’ drive outside of the city — and the glittering waters of Cook Strait, your gateway to the picturesque Marlborough region, you’ll have the best of the country’s wine at your fingertips.

Closer to home, this inner-city haven is on the doorstep of Lambton Quay, aka the ‘Golden Mile’ — the city’s retail epicentre made up of Lambton Quay, Willis Street and Courtenay Place — Queens Wharf, which will take you past Te Papa and Chaffers Marina, and the bright red Wellington Cable Car that leads up to the breathtaking Botanic Gardens.

The Hotel — Award-winning comfort

Awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2019, this stylish hotel offers comfort and convenience amid the cool sophistication of Wellington.

Facilities include the award-winning Portlander Bar & Grill – a local favourite offering sumptuous steaks, whiskies and wines – a state-of-the-art fitness centre and a 17m swimming pool with a sauna and spa.

The Room — Guaranteed 1pm late checkout

Elegant furnishings and Wellington street views await in your Superior King Room, featuring a kitchenette with a coffee plunger and an ensuite with a bathtub.

Enjoy a luxuriously late 1pm checkout to make the most of your final morning.

City-View Upgrade: Views don’t get much better than Wellington’s gorgeous skyline, framed by lush forest, and when you choose the City View Room, you’ll get to wake up to it daily.

Harbour Upgrade: Perched overlooking the glittering harbour, the Deluxe King Harbour View Room offers breathtaking harbour vistas.

Travelling with family? Rooms with twin double beds are available on request, perfect for two adults and up to two children. See Fine Print for details.

The Food — Daily breakfast, daily cocktails and a 20% dining discount

Wellington is renowned for its gourmet food and wine, and Rydges Wellington doesn’t disappoint with the award-winning onsite Portlander Bar & Grill.

Every morning, settle into a sleek timber seat by the moss-green subway tiles and savour a continental breakfast spread of cereals, fresh fruits and yoghurt. When day turns into night, return to this sleek bar and enjoy one daily cocktail, house beer, wine or juice per adult. You could sip everything from the French Madame (Finlandia vodka, Chambord liqueur and pineapple juice) to a Martini made to your taste — let the in-house mixologist know if you’d like it dry, sweet or dirty with gin or vodka — and the GM’s Nite Cap (Tia Maria, Baileys and hot chocolate).

With a 20% discount included, let Portlander Bar & Grill take you on a gastronomic journey from Canterbury to Hawke’s Bay. Treat yourself to Palliser Bay Station slow-cooked lamb shoulder ragu, roasted pork belly and gin-cured Akaroa salmon.

Extended Stay Bonus: Extend your Rydges Wellington escape over three nights and receive NZ$25 food and drink credit to use at the award-winning Portlander Grill & Bar. Why end the culinary indulgence there? Stay five nights and enjoy NZ$50 food and drink credit to really make the most of your escape.

See & Do — The ultimate destination for food, culture and panoramic views

There’s no better way to discover this city of cool than with a cup of Wellington brew in-hand. So, it’s only fitting then that you kickstart your exploration with a paddle of aromatic lattes at The Hangar, before strolling through the world-renowned Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, rich with Māori culture, art, heritage, and fascinating history.

For rewarding views, take the iconic red Wellington Cable Car to the sprawling oasis that is the Botanic Gardens, and for those who venture to the summit of Mount Victoria, you’ll be left in awe by breathtaking 360-degree views of Wellington City, the vibrant harbour and glistening ocean to the south.

While away a day learning about movie-making magic at the Academy Award-winning Weta Workshop — where Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings was realised — and explore Wellington’s foodie scene with a visit to Hannahs Laneway. Dubbed by 100% Pure New Zealand as ‘the world’s tastiest laneway’, this is a hole-in-the-wall lane filled with Wonka-worthy delights at Wellington Chocolate Factory and Fix & Fogg, where you can get your fix of freshly-made peanut butter.

Wash down the capital’s sensational flavours with a day trip to the nearby Martinborough and Wairarapa premier wine regions. Once there, you can hire a bike and cycle your way around boutique vineyards, tasting the nectar of some of the world’s best cool-climate wines — we recommended stopping at Poppies, Palliser Estate and Ata Rangi in Martinborough.