Designer Benny Castles from WORLD. Image supplied.
International luxury lifestyle hotel SO/ Auckland opened its doors recently with the hotel partnering with fashion brand WORLD on its modern design. The brand’s unique style influence includes the hotel’s bold emblem design, which ‘reflects the volcanic history of Auckland, the natural beauty of New Zealand and the history of the building itself.’
SO/ Auckland occupies the former Reserve Bank building at 67 Customs Street East in Central Auckland and is the seventh addition to the SO collection of lifestyle hotels. It’s the first one to open in the Pacific region and it’s luxurious fit out is among the many draws to the new hotel.
In a clever play on the volcanic theme, guests can choose their room design style from Vapour, Liquid and Solid in all SO Cozy, SO Comfy, SO Club and SO Studio rooms. Their is a dedicated floor for the Penthouse Suites, which each have their own exclusive style, with SO Lofty featuring a Caldera theme and SO VIP, an Exposure theme. SO/ Auckland is set to become the city’s hottest travel and lifestyle destination for locals and visitors alike.
“We’re ecstatic to finally open the doors to Auckland’s most audacious hotel,” says SO/ Auckland General Manager Stephen Gould. “It’s been an exciting journey with the global SO team since 2011 to prepare for opening including two years of immersion with the brand at SO/ Bangkok. Every touch of a SO/ hotel is unique to its location and thanks in large part to our signature designer WORLD, we have unlocked a destination truly unique to our shores,”
WORLD joins an international stable of leading designers to partnew with SO/ including Mr. Kenzo Takada in Mauritius, Monsieur Christian Lacroix in Bangkok and Viktor&Rolf in Berlin. WORLD were an obvious fit for the luxurious hotel due to their bold, energetic, playful style and the brand’s theatrical touch can be seen in everything from the staff ‘attire’, wallpaper, suite artwork, neon art installations and, most importantly, the hotel’s unique emblem.
“We knew from the outset this was a very special project to collaborate on,” adds Benny Castles, Designer and Director for WORLD. “Our role was to create an experience that helped guests and visitors leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and welcome them in to a new world. Now SO/ Auckland has opened, I’m beyond excited to see the reaction.”
Another draw to SO/ Auckland is the Harbour Society restaurant on the 15th floor which is home to French Chef Marc de Passorio, former owner of Michelin-starred restaurant, L’Esprit de la Violette. Marc sold L’Esprit de la Violette and jumped at the chance to make Auckland his next culinary home.
“I’m so pleased to have touched down in my new, beautiful home,” says Marc de Passorio. “In 2012 I visited New Zealand for the first time and fell in love with the country; the fantastic produce and wine as well as the amazing scenery wherever you go, fresh air and generous, friendly people.”
It wouldn’t be a luxury hotel without a proper spa and the SO/ Spa has a full offering of beauty, wellness and relaxation options. Innovative offerings include Himalayan detox therapy, Tibetan sound healing, chakra balancing and peeling Chlorella masks, which are sure to please lots of spa-goers.
SO/ Auckland has 130-rooms each of which includes its own luxurious bath, an abundance of natural light, a separate rain-shower, on-demand, in room technology, complimentary non-alcoholic mini bar and Wi-Fi, a flat screen TV and a choice of harbour or city views.
Bookings can be made for SO/ Auckland online.
Images supplied.