The Westin Auckland: the newest kid on the luxury block

New Zealand’s newest luxury hotel, the Westin Auckland at Lighter Quay, opened its doors on 18 June 2007 - the first five-star property to open in Auckland for two years.

Overlooking Viaduct Harbour in downtown Auckland, The Westin Auckland celebrates the prime maritime location sporting its own pontoon for arriving yachts and water taxis. Guests will enjoy an ever-changing panorama of private yachts gliding past the public areas and the central glass walkway between the two wings of the property.

The Westin Auckland General Manager Greg Findlay explains: 'Everything about the hotel, and the Westin brand, is meticulously planned to deliver an experience of renewal and rejuvenation.'

The hotel’s Sanctuary Spa and Wellness Centre will feature a luxury spa, with seven treatment rooms offering a wide range of New Zealand and Thai spa and beauty treatments. Guests can also make the most of the adjacent gym, sauna, steam room, 20 metre indoor lap pool and spa pool.

For a relatively small and exclusive hotel, the Westin Auckland has a generous open aspect to its public areas. The stylish Toast Café and Q Bar and Restaurant all open onto a waterfront esplanade, and are set to be popular with guests and locals alike.

Father and daughter team, Mark and Analiese Gregory, will head the dining experience bringing their highly acclaimed talent to the mix.

As a veteran chef and restaurateur, Mark has returned to New Zealand after 18 years in the UK having worked at luxury London hotel One Aldwych, award-winning Asian restaurant Its’u, the Chelsea Hotel and the Metropolitan Hotel.

The opportunity to develop the food and drink experiences from scratch was exciting in itself, but what made up Mark’s mind was the chance to continue cooking with his daughter, Analiese Gregory.

Twenty-two years old and just returned to New Zealand after three years cooking in Europe, Analiese is a talented young chef.

She completed her training by age 16 and went on to work at top restaurants ICON and Logan Brown in Wellington before heading to London to work with her father at One Aldwych. Most recently, she has honed her skills at the three Michelin star Le Meurice in Paris under chef Yannick Aleno, one of the most awarded chefs in France.

For the Westin Auckland, Mark and Analiese’s menu has been designed as very accessible - the flavours and dishes are simple and chic. Mark’s cooking contributes a rustic heart whilst Analiese brings a refined European quality, both based on top-quality, locally sourced ingredients.

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