Hotel Indigo by IHG Makes Its New Zealand Debut in Midtown Auckland

Andrea Thompson

ByAndrea Thompson

April 7, 2025
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Hotel Indigo, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury & lifestyle portfolio, has made its New Zealand debut with the official opening of Hotel Indigo Auckland in the heart of Midtown.

The much-anticipated 225-room hotel is a powerful neighbourhood storyteller, blending rich local history, culturally inspired art, and globally influenced cuisine, creating a vibrant new destination for both visitors and Aucklanders in the City of Sails.

Located on the historic site of a 1912 motor house that imported Cadillacs into New Zealand, Hotel Indigo Auckland’s design pays homage to its industrial past with an exciting mix of heritage-listed and modern architecture. Stunning interiors and gallery-quality artworks make every corner of the hotel an immersive cultural experience.

Commissioned exclusively for the hotel, acclaimed New Zealand contemporary artist and photographer Stuart Robertson, known for his global art project Peace in 10,000 Hands, has curated a bespoke photographic exhibition spanning all 25 accommodation floors. Each level tells a distinct story of Auckland through a visual lens, capturing the fabric of the neighbourhood and its modern-day popular culture.

Renowned stylist, Simone Haag, has transformed the hotel’s lobby into a captivating showcase of local artistry, featuring handcrafted paintings, wooden sculptures, ceramics, glasswork, woven pieces, and leather creations. Multidisciplinary artist, architect, and designer, Raukura Turei, has created two extraordinary installations using natural elements sourced from her ancestral land, exploring connections to atua (gods) and tīpuna (ancestors).

Neighbourhood-Inspired Guest Rooms

The hotel is located in the heart of bustling Midtown on Albert Street, a thoroughfare renowned for its modern architecture, epic eateries and historical sites. As one of Auckland’s tallest buildings, Hotel Indigo Auckland boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that offer breath taking views of the city skyline and harbour, with the hotel spanning 27 floors of the 41-storey tower. True to Hotel Indigo’s brand-defining philosophy that no two properties are the same, the design of Hotel Indigo Auckland embraces the site’s motoring heritage. The hotel’s 225 rooms (including 10 accessible rooms) feature automotive-inspired touches such as rear-view mirrors above plush king-size beds, industrial-style open wardrobes, headlamp lighting, pegboard shelving, and upholstery reminiscent of classic car interiors.

Carpets on each floor depict maps of Auckland streets, reinforcing the connection to the city while offering guests a contemporary boutique experience. The locally inspired mini-bar includes Kokako organic drip coffee from New Zealand’s North Island, Karma Drinks, limited-edition Flox-designed 1907 artesian water, and Zealong Tea Estate tea selections. Bathrooms are elevated with premium GHD hairdryers and premium MARACA body and hair care amenities with a Waitematā range made exclusively in New Zealand for Hotel Indigo Auckland.

Welcoming Bistro Saine

Taking centre stage of the hotel’s culinary offering is Bistro Saine, a refined yet approachable French-Mediterranean restaurant led by Executive Chef Yutak Son, a Korean-born, French-trained culinary talent. Rooted in seasonality and local provenance, Bistro Saine draws inspiration from Europe’s grand brasseries and the energetic dining scenes of New York, seamlessly blending timeless techniques with modern Mediterranean influences from Southern France, Italy, and Spain. Guests can also look forward to Café Etiquette, a stylish café and wine bar, and The Henry, an elegant cocktail lounge evoking the chic ambiance of New York, London, and Paris.

Ideally located near key landmarks including the New Zealand International Convention Centre (opening February 2026), Sky Tower, SkyCity Casino, the Britomart precinct, Wynyard Quarter, and the Viaduct, Hotel Indigo Auckland offers the perfect base for both business and leisure travellers. King rooms start at NZD $309 per night, to book visit Hotel Indigo Auckland’s website.