Heartland Hotel Auckland Airport — Hotel in Māngere-Ōtāhuhu

Stayed here last minute after a booking.com booking at 540 Great South Motel went sour (would seriously recommend NOT going there lol).

Arrived at reception at Heartland Auckland Airport around 9.30pm, with two adults (friends), an 8 month old, and a 6 year old. Ideally need 3 beds but could only supply 2 queen config, which we took, and got full breakfast included. Guy at the front desk at that time wasn’t super friendly or helpful, really had to pry for information, but he was polite and nice, so no qualms.

Breakfast was average honestly. I always get the full buffets when available so have eaten at at least 100 different hotels. If you frequent them you’d know that they’re almost always the same - a potato thing like hash brown, beans, usually scrambled egg, sausages, bacon. A cereal bar, a toast bar, and a cold meat/fruit/yogurt bar. Usually some juice, some coffee, and some pastries. There’s usually always a sweet option (pancakes, waffles, etc), but this hotel didn’t have one and I though that a bit disappointing. It had everything else, but I found the options of some things (cereal/yoghurt toppings, condiments, spreads), quite lacking compared to most places. The coffee was terrible. The quality of everything was either the same as average or slightly below, but nothing drastically poor or anything. Just very very average. The staff were friendly enough. The atmosphere and area was as expected. The corridor reeked of cigarette smoke though as some emergency doors were open and people were smoking outside and it was wafting through the hotel. Wasn’t super ideal, could smell it when getting food.

Rooms are basic with everything exactly as you’d expect from a twin-share 3/4 star chain hotel. Beds are on the softer side. Has bath, hair dryer, extra blanket, limited TV channels, tea/coffee facilities, provided toiletries - literally exactly the same as the usual suspects and other Heartlands. I like that about these hotels though - predictably comfortable.

The guy in the morning gave us a free 12 o clock check out when inquiring about luggage storage for a few hours, and then organised the free shuttle for 2pm, so we just chilled in the lobby for an hour after a brief walk. He was helpful and friendly and really made our stay and our day a lot more relaxing, easy. Thanks to that guy!

The shuttle driver was AMAZING and so friendly and gave my 6 year old a gift, which was the highlight of her trip lol. Thanks to that guy too!

The day guy at reception and shuttle driver got a star each, otherwise I’d probably give it a 3. But they seriously made a really shitty ending to our trip with the altercation at the other hotel a million times better and the gratitude and...

We booked the night before and for two nights, & were recommended the standard room with 2 queen beds, located on ground level & allocated the disabled parking spot just outside our window. The room had wheelchair access & was sufficient for our immobile 70 year old Mum with her 20" self propelling wheelchair to enter and park the chair in the corner of the room. A small table (with chairs) was right height for her to sit at in her wheelchair. The wet room shower catered her showering needs with wall mounted shower chair for her generous weight - however the water would travel to corners of the bathroom so towels helped soak it up. The housekeeping staff are a great strength of the hotel, as they quietly sorted an embarrassing issue with understanding, & upon return later to the room, they'd sorted it & then tucked a warm blanket over Mum's bed - they probably surmised it was the person's bed that needed it the most - a thoughtful touch given it was mid winter & not requested by us - very touching. I regretted not informing them earlier of any possible extra bedding needs as I thought we'd be ok but someone forgot to pack extra supplies. The Warehouse nearby handy to purchase the shortfall for our second day's stay. The hotel is alive with patrons (and families) coming and going. Desk staff were prompt and helpful. From upstairs excitable kids traipsed down the corridor and stairs, noticeable but not much of a nuisance. Laundry facilities (pay to use @ $2 per load, $2 for laundry powder from wall dispenser enough for 1-2 loads), old school machines that did a wonderful job with specific settings on the drier for delicate fabrics. Four star hotel in need of a few touch ups here and there (excluding the front entrance) that would bring it up to standard - they owe that to their staff. Tidy rooms, nice clean bathroom with complimentary quality toiletries &...

I've just raised this review from one star to three. I've taken a week to calm down before I wrote this review.

An 'event' that I won't elaborate on happened while I stayed here. Now this isn't the first time I've stayed, but it will be the last.

Having said that, I won't go into detail as it's literally one employee (I assume) that has ruined it for me. At the end of the day though, the front desk staff and one of the managers (Tim) went out of their way to resolve the issue for me and for that I am far more appreciative than they would have seen at the time.

Back to the review, the room was very nice and comfortable, and as I said, the majority of the staff are lovely and at tentative. The dining, unfortunately, leaves a little to be desired. The dining room seems like it's a side room or ex boardroom they've pushed you into and the food was adequate to yikes (how do you ruin bacon???). Then, they go and serve me one of the nicest steaks I've had in a long time. lol

At the end of the day I won't promote them, but I will say I've stayed there more than once, as I said earlier. I'd peruse more reviews to make your decision, but once again, thank you Tim and the front desk staff for your assistance to try and resolve an...