Aura Hotel

The location is excellent, the bus to the airport and key places are just infront of the hotel. Taco bell and AbraKEBABra (best kebab) and other eatery surround the place from Chinese, Italian, Indian, Turkish, etc. Cuba Street, Courtenay, Lambton Quay are within reach. Definitely the best! Receptionist is not always around but they're just a phone call away. I hope you can add toothbrush and toothpaste as well.

Facilities were budget and service poor. Staff showed little interest in connecting and were 'bored' at best. Rooms were loud, dirty, and general building seemed poorly maintained. Floorboards incredibly echoey and squeaky, pipes constantly hissing when neighbouring rooms were showering.

Where to begin? Pay for room in advance but they won't check you in without a credit card. That is IF you can find someone at the desk. They may or may not be there and if they are there they have no desire to come and serve you unless you shout to get their attention. The rooms are painted concrete cubes with light coming in through windows at the top of the wall. Paint doesnt even go all the way ip the walls. The light comes on and off all night through the windows every time someone uses the corridor. There is zero soundproofing and we were kept awake all night by the kids having a party at the lounge at the end of the corridor. Couldn't get anyone to come and ask them to be quiet because no one at the desk at night. Bathroom door didn't shut properly for privacy. It was cut the wrong size. Room was filled with a hodge podge of seriously shabby second hand furniture. The beds were clean and comfortable which was the one saving grace but due to the noise and light from the windows we had no sleep. Oh and no shower box just a curtain so water all over the bathroom floor. This was the biggest rip off for money. I have stayed at better hostels and back packers than this place. Corridor was filled with bags of dirty linen and broken and abandoned furniture.