New Zealand’s most iconic hotel, Hilton Auckland, is being offered for sale. Located on the end of the Princes Wharf overlooking the Waitemata Harbour, the hotel represents a rare opportunity to acquire a hotel that is considered to be a true New Zealand landmark.
Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels’ Executive Vice President, Dean Humphries, who has recently been promoted to head up the firm’s Queensland and New Zealand operations, has been exclusively appointed to market the property for sale.

This luxurious five-star hotel features 165 guest rooms, bar and a multi award-winning restaurant (currently under refurbishment), seven functional conferencing facilities, a business centre and outdoor heated swimming pool. The Hilton Auckland is uniquely located 330 metres out into the harbour and as such is one of the few hotels in the world built over water.

Mr Humphries said, “We are expecting a high level of interest in the sale of the Hilton Auckland due to a combination of strong market fundamentals and the specific attributes of this hotel including a truly unique location and an impeccable trading record.”

The New Zealand hotel investment market experienced a surge in activity at the end of 2010 with 8 hotels worth over NZ$265 million changing hands. This represented the second highest year on record. “There are a growing number of investors who currently view New Zealand as an attractive investment destination due to our highly transparent real estate market, low entry and exit costs, stable political and regulatory environment and growing popularity as a global tourism destination. The Hilton is Auckland’s premium hotel asset. On the back of positive trading growth combined with the marked increase in investment activity across the New Zealand market, the Owners have decided to take advantage of current conditions and take this asset to market,” noted Mr Humphries.

Hilton Hotels will continue to manage the hotel for the new owner as part of their wider New Zealand operation including hotels in Taupo & Queenstown.

City.Mobi

Also in New Zealand today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Auckland.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

Auckland.mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.