Comfort Inn & Suites Kudos

A good option for the first or last night of a holiday. The airport bus stop is a three-minute walk away; the ride takes about 20 minutes and cost us $7. We stayed in a very spacious four-person apartment, though it was just me and my girlfriend. It was clean and tidy, and we could cook our own meal, so the price felt worthwhile. The motorway nearby means the location isn't the quietest, but even in the apartment closest to the road, we barely heard it.

There are a small local supermarket, a liquor shop, and restaurants within a five-minute walk, which was very convenient. The washing machine and dryer were a big help because I needed to wash clothes for the last few days of my trip. The complimentary continental breakfast was also a nice service, and I could relax in the spacious room. For airport trips, you can use the “yellow bus,” which stops at Holiday Inn. You have to walk to and from there, but it may be the cheapest way to get to or from Akl airport. A taxi driver refused to take us to this hotel, probably because it's so close to the airport.

We were comfortable during our short stay. It was unusual having to walk through a bedroom to reach the toilet and shower. Depending on when you check in, be sure to look it up on Google, since the venue is near a busy road.

I paid almost $200 for a suite, and they advertise free Wi-Fi and fast broadband everywhere, but the allowance is only 1GB. They don't even tell you that at check-in. Cheap place, pass your way!