Hospitality Business Magazine

InterContinental Auckland opens at One Queen Street on Jan 30

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, is set to debut its latest hotel for Auckland with the opening of InterContinental Auckland.

Poised to grace the city’s waterfront at the halo address of One Queen Street, from 30 January 2024, the hotel will offer refined accommodation and hospitality like no other.

The hotel will anchor the one billion dollar (NZD) Commercial Bay lifestyle precinct, which houses the city’s latest upscale office, retail, social, and dining hub. InterContinental Auckland will feature 139 thoughtfully curated guest rooms and suites, the majority of which will accentuate the finest aspects of the city providing scenic city and water views, set on the 6th to the 11th floor in the prestigious building.

In partnership with internationally renowned chef, Gareth Stewart, the hotel will reveal the city’s latest restaurant and bar concept Advieh, offering a world-class experience with a contemporary twist on Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine, championing New Zealand’s finest produce. Advieh, which translates to ‘spice’ in Persian, was thoughtfully chosen to encapsulate the essence of spice and flavour that will be a hallmark of the restaurant and bar.

Gareth’s culinary vision offers a relaxed dining experience. With a menu designed to share, Advieh will be an all-day dining destination, open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. With the capacity to hold 140 guests, each service will deliver a unique experience. There is a rooftop bar to come on level 21 later in the year and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts are confident the hotel will be a game-changer in the Auckland hospitality scene. 

Amongst the hotel’s rooms are the renowned Club InterContinental rooms that grant access to the exclusive Club InterContinental lounge set to open in June 2024.  The hotel will feature a 24-hour fitness centre, direct access to Commercial Bay which features some of the country’s most premium retail outlets, as well as a rooftop bar on level 21 to come later in the year, independently owned by renowned hospitality experts, Five Fellas.

With its unrivalled location, the hotel, restaurant and bar stand proudly on Waitematā Harbour, on the city’s famous waterfront. The hotel provides a perfectly located vantage point for Auckland’s city business district, offering direct access to the city’s main transport terminals, shopping centres and world-class dining facilities, and is just a 30-minute drive from Auckland Airport.

With over two decades of experience at IHG Hotels & Resorts in Australasia, Indonesia and the Pacific, Ryan South has been appointed General Manager of InterContinental Auckland and will lead an experienced and dynamic team of 100 people.

South says, “I’m thrilled to be back in Auckland to helm what is set to be an icon in the heart of the city. I’m looking forward to giving both New Zealanders and international visitors a taste of this vibrant city, as well as the sophistication of the InterContinental lifestyle. Alongside our partners, Precinct Properties, we’ve worked tirelessly over the past year to ensure this hotel is ready to welcome guests and offer the signature InterContinental experience guests expect from the world’s first and largest luxury hotel brand.”

Gareth Stewart, Partner Chef of Advieh says, “I’m confident there is nothing like Advieh in Auckland and I’m looking forward to surprising guests in the best possible way and creating a world-class restaurant and bar experience.”

Gareth’s culinary vision offers a relaxed dining experience, emphasising communal sharing with a lively ambience enriched by delightful aromas and energy. With a menu designed to share, Advieh will be an all-day dining destination, open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. With the capacity to hold 140 guests, each service will deliver a unique experience.

Beyond the restaurant itself, Advieh will influence the hotel’s Club InterContinental lounge as well as the hotel’s in-room dining menu, allowing guests to experience a similar culinary experience in the comfort of their room with a menu curated to familiarity while also boasting an à la carte feel.

Commencing in 2019, the precinct was designed by Warren and Mahoney, focussing on five key elements including a focus on NZ food and wine, offering a design that would appeal internationally, using ethical and locally sourced materials, allowing a seamless transition from day to night and acknowledging the already existing site and its surroundings.

The hotel has enlisted a comprehensive art collection through Coupland Cormack prioritising local and Iwi artists, with a heavy influence on Māori culture. Beronia Scott and Te Pūawai Ōrākei Marae, the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei weaving collective, have supplied an extraordinary Whariki (woven panel) for each room. The hotel lobby is adorned with a feature installation designed by international contemporary artist Nike Savvas and has displayed photos by New Zealand artist Fiona Pardington in each room.

InterContinental Auckland will bring a total of 100 jobs to the Auckland CBD and is poised to inject millions into the local industry, bringing a much-needed boost back to the city’s tourism and hospitality industry.