Prime Minister Helen Clark, His Worship the Mayor Dick Hubbard and Managing Director of SKYCITY Entertainment Group, Evan Davies, will be among 200 invited guests…
Prime Minister Helen Clark, His Worship the Mayor Dick Hubbard and Managing Director of SKYCITY Entertainment Group, Evan Davies, will be among 200 invited guests to attend the official opening of the $85 million five-star SKYCITY Grand Hotel this evening.
Amongst the elegant surroundings of the new hotel lobby, guests will be treated to sophisticated live entertainment including Jennifer Ward-Lealand singing accompanied by the Grand piano (a permanent fixture in the lobby), fine wines and exquisite cuisine from the kitchen of SKYCITY`s new signature restaurant – `dine by Peter Gordon` (which continues the high profile week for SKYCITY, opening tomorrow night at 6:30pm).
The stunning new SKYCITY Grand Hotel and `dine by Peter Gordon` restaurant have been created by a who`s who of local and international designers, architects and artists, featuring renowned New Zealand artwork throughout.
Leading New Zealand architects Craig Craig Moller, designed the hotel exterior and structure. The room interiors were designed by internationally acclaimed Chhada Siembieda. SKYCITY`s new premium restaurant, was conceptualised by Tom Skyring with guidance from international celebrity chef Peter Gordon. The staff uniforms for the hotel were created by fashion leader Kate Sylvester and for the new restaurant, by established New Zealand designer Murray Crane. The luxury spa, which is expected to open in May, has been designed by Bernie Harris, Sydney.
The operator of the East Day Spa has been selected to set up a similar luxury health retreat within the SKYCITY Grand Hotel. Taking a holistic and natural approach to body and skin care, East Day Spa infuses ancient beauty therapies from the east to provide the ultimate therapeutic experience, offering the highest standard in treatments, service and luxury.
SKYCITY Grand Hotel features 21 levels and 316 rooms of uncompromising quality. The rooms comprise a range of luxury accommodation options including The Grand Suite, eight Premier self- Contained Suites, 11 Executive King Suites and 296 Luxury King rooms.
Level seven of the hotel provides a range of exclusive guest services, an outdoor balcony and restaurant – The Terrace. Additional features on this level include the 25m lap swimming pool, sauna and spa pool, a gymnasium offering the ultimate in fitness technology and equipment as well as personal training sessions upon request and a private members club with full guest service 24 hours, and complimentary wireless and broadband connectivity.
Paul Gallop, SKYCITY Grand Hotel Operations Manager, says the new hotel is going to offer a luxurious oasis in the central city.
The hotel design is absolutely stunning. Guests of the `Grand` will be offered something truly unique – a five star experience in the heart of the city that`s contemporary and friendly and often surprising, he says.
Already advance bookings indicate that the SKYCITY Grand Hotel, combined with the new SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre, will provide a significant boost to New Zealand tourism. We now have the ability to host larger international conventions from the lucrative top end of the market that expect five star service and facilities. The location of the `Grand` above the new SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre and linked by over-bridge to SKYCITY Auckland, means large scale convention guests have a world of accommodation and entertainment options all conveniently located under one roof, he says.
Mr Gallop adds that there are additional benefits exclusive to SKYCITY Grand Hotel guests, such as an in-room dining selection from Peter Gordon`s restaurant menu and the option to book leading chefs from SKYCITY`s kitchen team to cook a meal for guests in their suite.
SKYCITY Grand Hotel`s VIP cocktail function this evening is to be followed tomorrow night, by the official launch of SKYCITY`s signature restaurant. Dine by Peter Gordon will host a private dining function on the 6th April from 6:30pm for some 60 invited guests.
