The Great Ponsonby Arthotel

Located in the real heartbeat of Auckland is the Neighborhood of Ponsonby, central is the Great Ponsonby Arthotel. All the comforts of home away from home, it is an amazing find in this bustling city. Local artists, chefs, and creative, talented people support this lovely area filled with beautifully maintained villas and quaint businesses. Arthotel is no exception with a welcoming ambiance and a very local feel. This was our 2nd stay at GPA, Rooms 1 & 2 at the front of the home. The rooms are a fair size with good storage (dressers, night stands, open hanging closet), comfy bed with plentiful pillows and quilts, a writing desk, small flat screen, ensuite with shower, and artfully etched glass doors leading to a small lanai with seating for two. There is full access to the large public rooms (2 dining areas, cozy lounge)and the large L-shaped yard. When we return, we'd like to try the cottages in the rear yard. Highly recommend breakfast at GPA. It includes 5 hot fresh breakfast choices along with fresh fruit, juice, yogurt, muesli, cheese, several choices of bread, including gluten free (often home baked). The staff are friendly and allow you to be as independent as you wish. Within easy walking distance are a variety of local city vibe shops and restaurants. If you'd like to venture down to the central Auckland waterfront, it's an easy 15-20 minute walk downhill past Victoria park. It's a quick 10-15 minute Uber ride back (uphill), about 8NZD. If cold, overcrowded, high-rise concrete city hotels are not your thing, you will truly appreciate the welcoming feel of this great resting spot.

Great accommodation, quirky & colourful. Host gave us a tour & run down of facilities available. Room was clean, tidy & bed was very comfortable. Excellent choice of food for breakfast (included in the cost). Ladies cooking & serving breakfast were very friendly & breakfast was delicious.

It was bit like stepping back in time, back to honesty and trust. They offer a free drink, if you want more you write down what you had, for eg. No full length mirror. Also no shower cap! Otherwise everything you could want. Very quiet. Nice rooms.

Lovely little b&b in Auckland in a nice area. The breakfast was superb and the place had everything we needed. Hosts were friendly and helpful. Good value for the money. My only small criticism was that the mattress was a bit old. However, would definitely recommend. ☺️

Along with Parnell, Ponsonby is our favourite place to stay in Auckland. We stayed at the Great Ponsonby Art Hotel again this year and have no regrets. We always enjoy returning here. Parking is no problem in the hotel grounds or on the street. The small, beautifully furnished hotel offers the kind of hospitality we like most: the staff are attentive and very friendly. The service has been just perfect. This time there were three of us travelling together and we booked the penthouse room and one of the three pavilions behind the house. The balcony and garden are perfect for enjoying an aperitif or a take-away menu. If you're lucky, the odd bird will pay you a visit - this time a kingfisher was a special guest. The rooms are clean and pleasantly large. The pavilions are outfitted with new bath rooms. The cooked breakfast is a dream, just like in the good old days when there were many more B&Bs in New Zealand than there are today. Ponsonby Street has a great selection of restaurants and there is something to suit almost every palate. We were never disappointed. And last but not least Ponsonby is perfectly located for a stroll to the CBD and many sights as the Auckland Museum or the Auckland Art Gallery. We shall return.

This bed and breakfast is wonderful. Centrally located, great amenities, delicious and filling breakfast. We stayed in the penthouse, but returned to stay in the garden when our accommodations didn't work out for our last night. I'd stay here again!

Lovely hosts; very clean comfortable rooms; great breakfast. A little oasis in the city. Highly recommended.