Evaluation: DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington

Finding a good hotel in New Zealand’s capital of Wellington can be a bit of a challenge, as there aren’t many options to choose from.

When I was planning out my visit, it was a essentially a toss-up between the DoubleTree by Hilton and the nearby InterContinental, which came at a higher price.

After weighing the pros and cons, I ultimately decided to go with the DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington, mainly because I’d enjoyed staying at other Hilton properties in New Zealand in the past.

DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington – Booking

I booked this stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington for $250 NZD ($160 USD, $210 CAD). This is about what you can expect to pay for this property on average, as the pricing doesn’t fluctuate very much.

A points redemption will cost you 37,000–40,000 Hilton Honors points for a standard room. Considering that we value Hilton Honors points at 0.7 cents per point (CAD) or 0.5 cents per point (USD), redeeming Hilton Honors points wasn’t an ideal option, as it came in at just under our target valuation.

The DoubleTree by Hilton brand is known as a budget-friendly chain, so the prices aren’t as high as more aspirational properties. Instead of redeeming points for mediocre value, it was a better play here to earn points at an accelerated rate to get closer to my next high-value Hilton stay.

DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington – Location

The DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington is located in the heart of the city, which is New Zealand’s charming and cosmopolitan capital city.

The hotel has a fairly central location, from which you can easily explore some of the city’s most popular attractions and activities.

The hotel enjoys close proximity to prominent business and shopping hubs, including Lambton Quay and Willis Street, both a mere five- and 10-minute stroll away, respectively.

East of the hotel lies the Wellington Waterfront, an energetic district that offers captivating harbour views, alongside an array of cafés, bars, markets, and events.

Embarking on a 15-minute southbound walk from the hotel, you’ll encounter Cuba Street, a highly favoured thoroughfare among tourists. It’s a diverse locality that serves as a cultural hub with quirky cafés, vintage clothing stores, record shops, art galleries, and the renowned Bucket Fountain.

Other notable attractions in the vicinity encompass the New Zealand Parliament, an impressive complex housing the country’s legislature and government, which can be reached within a 10-minute northward journey from the hotel.

Additionally, a short 10-minute walk or a swift five-minute drive south will lead you to the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the country’s national museum.

For passengers arriving in or departing from the city, Wellington International Airport can be reached within a convenient 20-minute drive from the hotel.

DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington – Check-in

The DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington occupies the historic T&G building, which dates back to 1928 and narrowly escaped demolition in the 1980s.

The building showcases an understated historical charm, with a sandstone exterior and art deco details.

As you enter the hotel directly from Grey Street, a canopy bearing the the hotel’s name and logo greets you.

Once you step into the hotel’s lobby, you’ll find a narrow space laden with black-and-white marble, distressed copper mirrors, and period elevators.

Shortly after my arrival, I was treated to a signature warm DoubleTree chocolate cookie as part of the welcome gesture as you check in. The hotel must have something at the front desk to keep these cookies warm, as mine had a perfect temperature.

To my delight, I was upgraded to Superior King Room as a Hilton Diamond member, and was also informed of the complimentary breakfast benefit. The staff member also presented me with two complimentary drink tickets as a replacement for the executive lounge benefit, since this property doesn’t have an executive lounge.

I was then handed my keys to Room 613, and made my way to the sixth floor of the hotel.

DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington – Superior King Room

As I made my way up to the sixth floor, I noted the intriguing architecture of this vintage edifice, complete with antique elevators and staircases to match.

The Superior King Room is two categories above the standard room type available at the DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington. The room offers a touch more space and comfort than the base-level options.

Inside, there’s a tasteful colour palette predominantly composed of shades of grey and white, and further accentuated by vibrant pops of colour in the furnishings.

The king bed is nestled in the right-hand corner of the room.

To its left sits a sleek console table, accompanied by a minibar and a plush yellow chair.

Waiting for me on the minibar was a welcome amenity in the form of three chocolates.

Conveniently positioned nearby is a small marble-topped desk with an ergonomic chair, which is ideal for any work-related tasks.

Moving on to the bathroom, it has a contemporary design and meets the expected standards. There’s a single vanity, a spacious walk-in shower, and a toilet.

The Superior King Room serves as a comfortable space with heritage character and additional space compared to the base-level rooms here at the DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington. While it may not be extravagant, it’s got the essentials you’d need for a comfortable stay.

DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington – Breakfast

Spring Kitchen, the hotel’s sole restaurant, offers Asian and European-inspired cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant is located on the first floor of the hotel, and serves breakfast from 6:30–10:30am on weekdays, and 7–11am on weekends.

As a Hilton Diamond member, I enjoyed a complimentary breakfast here the morning of my stay. I also used one of my complimentary drink tickets to order a cappuccino to go with my meal.

The restaurant has a light buffet spread with hot items such as eggs, bacon, and pancakes, as well as a small selection of cured meats, cheese, fruits, and pastries.

The buffet was decent, albeit not remarkable by any means, and I certainly appreciated that my cappuccino was smooth and frothy.

In the evening, I came back here to take advantage of my remaining complimentary drink ticket with a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington – Other Facilities

The Doubletree by Hilton Wellington has a 24-hour fitness centre that’s accessible on the third floor with your room key.

The fitness centre is very small in size, and is equipped with only a handful of machines, free weights, and yoga mats.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a hotel with a touch of history and the basics of comfort, the DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington fits the bill. However, don’t expect too much flair or extravagance from this Hilton property.

The Superior King Room offers a standard layout and amenities in both the bedroom and the bathroom, while the breakfast buffet was satisfactory but not memorable.

In the end, this was a fairly pedestrian stay, although Wellington doesn’t have many choices for luxury accommodation. With that in mind, this hotel might be a good option for those who value location and convenience over style and service, as I did on this casual visit to the Kiwi capital.