Wellington, New ZealandTe Aro
QT Wellington
Art-filled harbourfront hotel
Te Aro Wellington, New Zealand
Renovated
2017
Price
$$
Rated for
Design Local HeritageOutside the door
The house
Minor HotelsArt-filled harbourfront hotel
The hotel runs like an eccentric gallery on the waterfront, where hundreds of original artworks animate the lounges and corridors.
What it’s good at
Notable
A vibrant two-hundred-piece contemporary art collection hangs across the public lounges and corridors.
Notable
Nineteen New Zealand artists painted original wall murals across twenty-five dedicated gallery bedrooms.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
The rooms are fun and colorful, decorated with murals and bold, vibrant prints, and they’re quietly luxe as well.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Te Papa sits directly across Cable Street, and the indie cafes and vintage shops of Cuba Street are a short walk away.
The rooms
Local artists painted original murals across twenty-five dedicated Gallery rooms, and selected suites look out over Wellington Harbour.
The water
Bring a swimsuit.
The pool
The heated 17-metre lap pool sits beneath an atrium glass ceiling, beside a deep-blue spa pool.
Restaurant
Hot Sauce
Woven bamboo steamer baskets line the ceiling above dark tables, golden lucky cats, and an Asian street-food bar.
Hippo Bar & Restaurant
Tables look straight out across the harbour marina, where the kitchen brings French technique to local New Zealand ingredients.
At the table
Private dining rooms host lavish feasts beneath gold wallpaper, and the lobby Gallery Lounge pours evening cocktails.
How it began
The four-storey concrete building was rolled 120 metres on railway tracks in 1993 to make room for Te Papa.
Wellington
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The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.