Bavaria Boutique Hotel — Hotel in Albert-Eden

I like to give supportive reviews, and realise that value in city accommodation may not match that elsewhere in NZ, but I have to be honest to our experience and this was disappointing, even rather depressing. It seems there are new owners so previous Tripadvisor reviews before this year are inapplicable. After a confusing email exchange we were given a key code number to enter the building (avoid getting locked out!) and on departure left the key in the room so we never met the new owner/manager though they do come to clean during the day. However one of the rooms is occupied by a young man whom they called night manager and would be available in case of a major issue. There is a large lounge and balcony which is pleasant, whereas our bedroom was small, with basic furniture and a tiny bathroom. Perhaps there are better rooms in the Bavaria overall (it has 11). Breakfast felt a bit like a student share house (help yourself to the jam in the frig). This might suit some people as long as you knew what you were getting. The actual location in Mount Eden is excellent - charming streets, close enough to a range of restaurants and a supermarket, and inexpensive Uber fare to the city if you want to leave your car in the perfectly adequate parking area. But the sign at the front of the Bavaria "boutique hotel 5 stars" suggests three delusions together. So not the high point of...

Definitely not a hotel and not really a B&B - you mostly have to make your own breakfast!||Kiri, the manager (?) is friendly and very helpful. She made us filter coffee when asked, provided lots of information about Auckland and cards to use the bus - there is a bus stop a few minutes walk away which takes you into the centre of Auckland.||A large common lounge/eating area/kitchen. Our room had plenty of space but no where really for 2 full size suitcases although this is a common problem with most accomodation.||Unfortunately, the bathroom was tiny, probably less than 2 m².||Probably worth checking out what it going on at the Eden Park stadium which is nearby. Loud, noisy events going on into the late evening are easily heard and may disturb your sleep. Of course, if you are planning to attend the event, then a good place to stay overnight.||Plenty of off-street parking and convenient for touring around Auckland although for central Auckland, use the bus. Also convenient for local shops and accessing SH1 and SH16.||Mount Eden summit is nearby and definitely worth a visit for its views...

Unfortunately, we cannot comprehend the stellar reviews of the Bavaria B&B. We've booked this accommodation via an agency during our five-week-travels to New Zealand in December-January, and having just returned, we do have to say that the Bavaria B&B was probably the worst property we stayed in. While the two hosts are doing their very best to make everyone feel welcome & comfortable (thank you!), they're the only asset to this B&B. The property is very dated, and rooms are in a terrible shape: The carpets are worn down, bathrooms are tiny with old, very tight showers & rubber floors (feeling more like a youth hostel); furniture is functional at best, there are cobwebs everywhere, and on a sunny day, the air in the rooms and common rooms gets fusty. The location in itself is good, in close proximity to Mt Eden and local restaurants, however, the hotel is in dire need of updating, bringing it to the 21st century. We decided against the (included) breakfast as there are better...