Booked a studio apartment through wotif, where they were advertising 'executive' apartments which I couldn't find anywhere on the hotel website. They do exist though and we had a large, nicely furnished, well equipped room with small kitchenette, laundry facilities in the bathroom and kingsize bed. Unfortunately the room suffered from a constant 24 hour hum from the service and ventilation ducts outside - our view looked directly out on to the car park and kitchen area for the nearby businesses. We asked to move and were shown some much smaller, bleaker studios (obviously their studios as advertised on their website) which we declined as the hum didn't seem noticeably less and the rooms were, frankly, depressing and, we were told, the same price. We put up with our room as we had paid for 3 nights in advance, the major drawback to booking through a discount website, otherwise I would only have stayed 1 night. A lovely building and a great concept, but badly executed.

This is the worst hotel my wife and I have experienced in many years of travelling.

The best parts are the central location and the hotel website. After that, it all disappears downhill.

The front-office staff seemed inadequately trained, defensive and belligerent.

I really don't know how they have the audacity to have the word "Hotel" in their name, but they do. For example, you can't dial up for a sandwich (there is no hotel restaurant), and everything seems to be done by some external company (like the exorbitant parking). We felt ripped off by the externally-supplied internet 'service' which charges on a megabyte basis, and despite being careful not to run up excess-use charges (which requires constant monitoring) they still managed to separate us from the best part of $100 for a two-day stay. Unbelievable.

The one-bedroom studio was cramped, noisy and uncomfortable. We could hear every shower, every flush from the adjacent rooms, and the traffic noise was just awful. A waste pipe from the room above, which comes through the bathroom ceiling before disappearing into a wall, dripped on us every time the occupant used the shower or basin it was attached to (we hoped it was just a shower or a basin).

I optimistically opened the front door in the morning, vainly hoping to see a newspaper (you know, like you do in hotels). There wasn't one - you had to collect it from reception - after paying for it of course.

And don't bring your DVDs to watch - unless you want to pay for the hire of a machine.

The double bedroom was a small, uninviting, dark internal room, and the bed was like sleeping on a brick.

The only thing I don't understand is, how do they get away with it?

it is a very nice building, the hotel made a mistake but promptly compensate for providing the wrong room type.

my room was a beautiful executive studio room, both deco and space, especially for the price (I booked via wotif); also have kitchen and laundry in room.

the lobby is upstair without lift, but you will not have to walk pass reception everytime entering or exiting the building. the building is central and next to skycity and convention centre, with taxi rank outside.

Overall, professional staff and very accommodating, definitely recommended

These self catering apartments were within a stone's throw of the Sky Tower so could not be more central. Our apartment had 2 bedrooms, living area and a bathroom with washing machine and dryer. It was extremely clean and well fuirnished. There was no view as we overlooked a busy street but it was surprisingly quiet at night. Plenty of facilities were nearby including food shops, excellent restaurants and a handy off licence opposite!! Staff were knowledgeable and helped us arrange bus pick up for the airport. Altogether a very convenient place to stay. (shame about the earthquake which we experienced one evening!!)