Stressfree and easy to overnight at Wellington Airport

Mention Wellington Airport to a traveller and they’ll likely recount their experience of touch down or take off on a stormy day. It’s hard to forget the experience. I’ve two teenage sons, one described it as ‘terrifying’ while the other, turning green as the plane descended, promptly vomited on touch down. Of course there are perfect landing days too, with a great view of the city when you land from the north. Can’t beat Wellington on a good day.

Needing to transit in Wellington, after 14 days in my Auckland quarantine Hotel, I chose to stay at Rydges Wellington Airport Hotel.

Location and Access Opened in 2019, the Hotel sits atop the Wellington Airport Terminal. Access is simple and seamless; disembark, uplift luggage, follow the signs, up the escalator, turn left, past the quirky statues to the Hotel reception desk. The process from touchdown to check in took 20 minutes, about the same time it takes for a taxi from the Airport to downtown Wellington.

The Rooms There are 134 rooms, 14 interconnecting which works well for families and groups. Décor is modern and understated. Having a sofa to relax on is very welcome, after 14 days of just a chair at a desk and a bed in my Iso Hotel room. I chose a ‘superior north facing room’ which meant I could watch the planes come and go as I readied for my early morning departure.

Bathrooms are compact and smart, black and white. The shower heads are mounted high on the wall, perfect for tall people. I’m not known for my height, but if I was, there’d be no issue with these bathrooms. I had to stand on tip toes to clean my teeth at the ‘made for taller people’ wash basin! No complaints, just an observation that the rooms are good for tall people.

The Food The kitchen had closed by the time I arrived, fortunately there’s 24 hour room service so my Caesar salad arrived at my door shortly after I did!

Aside from the 24/7 room service, the Hotel has two eating establishments. Peloton Bar and Eatery is open during the day from 10am-5pm. WLG (Whiskey Lima Golf) is the ideal spot for a catch up Airport drink or dinner, check current opening hours here . There’s also a smart private dining room, good for dinner meetings. I look forward to visiting these on my next stay.

Meeting Rooms / Gym I didn’t need the meeting rooms, or have time to use the gym, but it’s good to know they’re there. With Wellington being located in the ‘centre’ of New Zealand and flights to/from 19 domestic destinations, the Airport is a good meeting point.

Why stay at the Airport? If you’re ‘in transit’ between flights or have an early morning departure then staying here is a stress free time saver. It took 8 minutes for me to walk from Hotel check out to Airline check in.

For plane spotters Rydges Wellington Airport is an opportunity to watch the action on a stormy day from the cosy comfort of a runway view room (view from my north facing runway view room above). The day rooms are available for check in after 7am and check out before 7pm.

Over and out! I loved my night here, it was so easy and stress free. Wake up, coffee, shower, dress, Hotel check out, 8 minute walk, Airport check in. For my 7.30am departure, the convenience of Rydges Wellington Airport was the perfect choice.

Blog