LUXURY

Heavenly Getaway
The Westin, Auckland
A selfish weekend escape was long overdue for Ange Harrison and what better place
to head than The Westin Auckland Lighter Quay for a Heavenly Experience.
Heavenly Escape Reader Offer
To celebrate 100 million nights of sumptuous sleep, The
Westin Auckland is offering all the ingredients you’ll need
for a restorative retreat from only $290 per room, per night:
- Recharge with the ultimate night’s sleep in Westin’s
renowned Heavenly® Bed
- Replenish with daily buffet breakfast in waterfront
Q restaurant
- Local newspaper delivery each morning
- Linger longer with a 4pm late checkout
Terms & Conditions: Based on double occupancy in a Superior Room. Valid
until 30 December 2009. Offer and late checkout subject to availability and not
valid with any other offer. Package is based on seasonal rates & may increase
during high demand periods.
For more information please visit westin.com/auckland
or call +649 909 9000 and quote Heavenly Getaway.
I was in desperate need for some pampering and relaxation
and The Westin Auckland prides itself on offering a heavenly
haven. That was all the enticement I needed and I headed
straight on over. The Westin experience starts from the
moment you step into the lobby, with soft lighting, signature
music and the delicate aroma of their White Tea scented
candles to lift the spirit… and so heaven on earth begins.
The calming ambience is continued throughout the hotel
and its 172 guest rooms and suites, with the use of clean,
contemporary design, soothing colour schemes and small,
personal touches of Pacifica and Kiwiana. Every detail of
every Westin worldwide is based on a core philosophy of
preserving wellness in travel guaranteed to restore guests,
mind, body and spirit. So it came as no surprise to me when
the porter, who was escorting me to my room, explained
that The Westin is a completely smoke-free hotel (one of the
first upper-scale hotels to enforce this), which contributes to
another of their experiences called Breathe Westin ® .
I spotted it as soon as I entered my room - the Heavenly Bed ® .
Wickedly inviting, I knew it well and was tempted to hurl
myself straight into its beautifully made centre. This iconic
brand is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and was
unexpectedly the start of a Heavenly lifestyle brand that today
boasts bath line, travel blanket, robes, dual showerhead and
dog bed for that much-pampered pooch. Back in 1999 when
the bed was launched, more than 35 guests called in the first
week alone enquiring how they could get their hands on a
slice of their own heaven(ly bed) to take home. You see, this
isn’t just any ordinary bed… it is made of up 10 layers of
comfort on a 13” pillow-top mattress and 8 3/4” box spring.
It’s so popular that the online store offers an interactive retail
concierge with tips on how to make the bed and look after
all the components. The ten layers of mattress, feather and
down duvet, pillows and crisp white cotton have all been
designed with one thing in mind - the very best night’s
sleep possible.
I couldn’t wait to try it out again but first; I had a Signature In-
Room Spa treatment to sample. I had requested a one hour
‘restore’ deep tissue massage and am most pleased to report
that when you ask for a deep tissue massage, that is exactly
what you get. As my therapist worked away at all the trouble
spots, I drifted in and out of a state of bliss to the sound of
the soothing music she had brought with her. It was a very
good massage and I was sorry when my time was up…. until
I remembered that I had a Heavenly Bath to soak away those
last few lingering aches and pains. The bathroom is another
key part of Westin’s wellness philosophy and is spacious (with
separate bath and shower), light and includes their signature
range of white tea aloe toiletries and robe.
Considering I hadn’t done much in the way of activity, I was
surprised at the appetite I had developed. I could have joined
the Unwind Hour before dinner, an evening ritual where
guests can gather in The Living Room and take part in a novel
way to celebrate a stay in the ‘City of Sails’ - an interactive
remote control yacht race. But it was straight to dinner for
me at Q Restaurant (there is also Toast Café and The Office
bar, so something for everyone). Keeping with the Heavenly
Experience, I enjoyed the signature Superfoods menu that is
specifically designed to feed the body and nourish the soul
by providing dishes made up from powerhouse ingredients
rich in nutrients, antioxidants and taste. My meal included
broccoli and blue cheese soup; green tea infused salmon,
succulent lamb and a rich chocolate tart. Surprisingly, even
though there were six courses in total, they were all so well
proportioned that I didn’t feel as if I had overindulged at all.
My Heavenly Bed ® delivered all it promised and more and
feeling recharged I headed for a session at WestinWORKOUT ® ,
a state of the art gym that is open 24 hours and offers free
weights, treadmills, bikes and cross-trainers. Or, you could
take advantage of an in-room workout where a treadmill or
bike will be delivered to your room so that you can exercise
in privacy. Joggers have not been ignored and The Westin
Auckland also has a custom-designed scenic route close to
the hotel, which can include you being accompanied by a
concierge member if you so desire. And if you are super keen,
finish off with a dip in the 20m indoor lap pool. The Westin
Auckland also has tranquil Senses Spa onsite with sauna,
steam room, massage room and a team of beauty therapists
to take care of all your spa requirements.
With its central location, excellent facilities, young and vibrant
staff, it’s the ideal place to check-in to when you need to
reconnect with yourself, slow down, relax and just breathe.
But don’t wait for an excuse to sample the Westin difference,
go on, do it today, you’ll thank yourself for it.
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