Rebecca S.'s
The best gyms in town
- 114Les Mills BritomartAuckland CentralLes Mills would have to be my favourite gym of all time. I absolutely love all of their classes, the equipment is always new and in mint condition, the instructors are energetic and motivating, and now the Britomart location is 24 hours. Some people complain about the "posers" at Les Mills - you know, the people who go to the gym to be seen rather than to work out? But I say just ignore them - the gym itself (classes especially) are worth it.
- 24Contours AlbanyAlbanyContours is a great women’s only gym. Everyone is really friendly and it has a comfortable, inclusive vibe. They have some fun classes too, including a trampoline aerobics class!
- 33Jetts Fitness New LynnNew LynnJetts Fitness is great for anyone looking for just a basic, reasonably priced gym. They have nice equipment, clean facilities, helpful instructors and best of all they are 24 hours! You won’t find any classes or other extras here, but if you’re just after a good-old-fashioned work out, this is the place to go.
- 42Club Physical WestgateWestgateMost of the Club Physical gyms are huge with tons of equipment, so you don’t have to worry about waiting around. The facilities are clean and well-maintained and they have some cool fitness classes that could ALMOST rival those of Les Mills. Almost.
- 514Ludus MagnusEden TerraceOne of the most intense workouts you will ever have! This isn’t a standard gym, it’s more like a boot camp. And it will kick your ****! It’s tough, but doing it with a group of others makes it fun and the instructors are really great. Go here if you want FAST results!
Rebecca S.'s
Best adrenaline rushes
- 113Auckland Bridge Climb & BungyAuckland CentralThis is a great first bungy spot because it’s not too high and is surrounded by beautiful scenery on the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge. The bridge climb is also pretty cool and a great way to take in the sights if you’re not quite ready for a plunge.
- 258Sky TowerAuckland CentralThe Sky Walk at the Sky Tower is an amazing experience! Even though it is terrifying for those afraid of heights, the security of your tether and the fact that you’re not actually jumping from anything makes it a little easier to stomach.
- 37Auckland Jet Boat ToursAuckland CentralAn awesome time for anyone who loves speed! I love boat rides and getting out on the water and I found jet boating to be a blast without being TOO much of a thrill. You get a little tour of the city from the water while speeding and spinning around the ocean. Even my mom loved it!
- 44Explore NZ Viaduct HarbourViaduct HarbourExplore NZ offers lots of cool activities, one of which is the America’s Cup Sailing Experience. They get you out on one of the official America’s Cup racing boats for either a 2-hour trip or an official race against one of the other boats. You can get as involved as you want in the mechanics of sailing the boat or just sit back and enjoy the ride.
- 53Sky ScreamerAuckland CentralI’m always captivated by the Sky Screamer when I’m walking down Victoria Street and see people being shot up in the air and spinning around in that little chair in the midst of Auckland CBD. They call it a reverse bungy and it looks absolutely terrifying and like loads of fun at the same time. Plus, there’s a rumour that it’s free if you do it naked… any takers?
Rebecca S.'s
Amazing wedding venues
- 14The WharfNorthcote PointThis is where I got married and it is absolutely stunning. I wanted somewhere right on the water that felt elegant and classy and showed off NZ (I am Canadian and wanted a special experience for all the Canadian guests coming over). As soon as I saw the Grand View Room in The Wharf, I knew that I had to get married there. It’s a circular building sitting on the water just under the Harbour Bridge with windows all the way around. The views are stunning and the venue itself is so beautiful it needs very little decoration. The food is also delicious!
- 24The Floating PavilionAuckland CentralAnother waterfront venue, this one in the viaduct, with beautiful views and wrap-around decks. The central location is very convenient and the building is literally floating on the water (hence the name), so you can’t get much closer to the sea. You have the option to make your arrival via boat, with all your guests looking on from the deck - pretty cool!
- 34Mantells - Mt EdenMt EdenThis beautiful, rustic-looking villa is a great wedding spot. You’ll feel like you’re in Italy without having to splash the cash to actually get there! I’d also highly recommend Mantells on the Water, which is in the viaduct and is equally amazing.
- 44Alberton HouseMount AlbertThis old colonial house in Mt. Albert reminds me a bit of ‘The Notebook’ (AKA the most romantic movie of all time!) so what better place to hold your upcoming nuptials? it won’t suit big weddings but would be perfect for a small, intimate occasion.
- 52This is a bit of a drive from Auckland City, which makes transportation to and from the wedding a bit of a hassle, but the location is worth it! Situated in the beautiful Waitakere Ranges, I’ve been to two weddings here and was blown away both times by how perfect everything was. The first wedding rained all day long and nobody even noticed, which says a lot I think!
Rebecca S.'s
Posh eats
- 134Euro 2.0Auckland CentralThe first time I went to Euro was for a work lunch. I was excited to try it because I’m a huge Masterchef fan and I knew it was Simon Gault’s restaurant. I’d never been before because the prices are pretty steep - but after trying it on my company’s dollar, I can say it’s definitely worth it! The food was absolutely delicious and the service was impeccable. Plus, its waterfront location makes for beautiful scenery and a special atmosphere. I’ve been back several times since.
- 260Eight Restaurant at Cordis, AucklandAuckland CentralAt a set price of $80 per person for dinner ($90 on weekends!) it’s not somewhere you’d come every week, but it’s probably my favourite place in Auckland for special occasion meals. The staff at Eight refer to the experience as "your personal degustation - dine at your own pace, with as many dishes and intervals as you please" - so in other words, all-you-can-eat! That’s where I get my money’s worth. There’s so much delicious food to choose from it’s almost overwhelming and the biggest concern you’ll have is how you’re going to have room for dessert!
- 364The French CafeNewtonFine dining at its best - the French Café will give you a posh experience from the second you step through the doors. The food comes in tiny portions, but it’s so beautifully arranged on the plate and so delicious that you won’t mind. I had the egg yolk ravioli, merely because I wanted to try something I could NEVER master at home, and it was heaven on a plate.
- 40Toto's Italian RestaurantAuckland CentralMy main motivation behind going to Toto’s was a search for clam linguine. I’m from Canada and my father is Italian and one of my all-time favourite dishes is his clam pasta. One day when I was feeling particularly homesick, my husband and I scoured every Italian restaurant in Auckland in search of a similar dish (it’s surprisingly hard to find clams in Auckland - a city surrounded by ocean!) We stumbled upon Toto’s and it has since become a favourite. The restaurant is spacious yet intimate and romantic with candles on every table, a roaring fireplace in the winter and beautiful classical music playing. The staff are mostly Italian and converse with each other in the language, which gives the restaurant an air of authenticity. And their clam pasta is almost as good as my dad’s. Almost.
- 59O'Connell St BistroAuckland CentralI used to live on Shortland Street and would pass by this little bistro (on the corner of Shortland and O’Connell) every single day on my way to and from work. By the time I finally tried it, we had moved to a new place, and that’s probably for the best - otherwise I would be spending far too much money here! I’m no food critic, but to me every plate that came out looked more stunning than the last, and the taste did not disappoint!
Rebecca S.'s
Where to shop for the races
- 15Natalie ChanParnellA bit on the pricey side (Okay, a lot on the pricey side) but literally everything in her store - from the dresses to the fascinators to the decor - is beautiful and girly and perfect for a day out at the races. Natalie will consult with you to help you find (or create) the perfect outfit and all of her garments are made with the best quality materials and craftsmanship. If you’re going to splurge on a beautiful dress, this is the place to do it!
- 27Forever New - NewmarketNewmarketForever New has tons of pretty dresses, shoes and hair accessories at reasonable prices. Everything feels very girly and princess-y with lots of white, cream and pink shades. This is my go-to for affordable dresses for the races, weddings and any other occasion requiring an elegant getup.
- 36Karen Walker PonsonbyPonsonbyAgain, a little bit pricey, but you can’t go wrong with a classic Karen Walker outfit. I like to hit up her sales, where you can get some amazing stuff for a fraction of the price. Her pieces have been spotted on a growing number of American celebrities lately - Jaime King in particular, whose character Lemon Breeland from Hart of Dixie wears a rotating collection of Karen Walker clothes (and who better to model a races outfit after than Lemon!)
- 44Alannah HillNewmarketCute and uber-feminine, Alannah Hill oozes race-ready attire. Lots of bright colours, patterns, florals and frills - you can’t go wrong.
- 52Juliette Hogan BritomartAuckland CentralLots of simple, classic, beautiful dresses that can be dressed up or down. Sure, the latest collection is always going to be a bit expensive, but I like to shop from the previous season’s section, which is all on sale. Even within the new season you can find some affordable pieces. A dress from Juliette Hogan can easily be worn to the races with a beautiful fascinator and a pair of strappy heels, then paired with a blazer for work or some cute ballet flats for a summer dinner party - at her prices it’s all about versatility, my friends!
Rebecca S.'s
Best brunch spots
- 113One 2 OnePonsonbyThis café is really cute and cosy with a great, sunny outdoor area out the back. Two friendly cats roam around the property and there’s live music on select days of the week. They even have a sandbox for kids to play in! The food is delicious and the servers are friendly. Afterwards, enjoy a stroll through Ponsonby.
- 225The ConservatoryAuckland CentralThe location alone (Wynyard Quarter) makes this a great pick for brunch. There’s no better way to spend a lazy morning/afternoon than parked in the sun along the waterfront watching boats and pedestrians pass by. The brunch menu is absolutely delicious - try the banana bread!
- 30Mink CafeParnellMink has been nominated Parnell’s best café and I’d have to agree. It’s stylish and inviting with great coffee and even better food. Its prime location on the corner of Parnell Road and Heather Street, with plenty of sunny outdoor seating, makes it perfect for people watching. Try the beans and chorizo toasted bagel!
- 433Best Ugly BagelsAuckland CentralAs a Canadian, I can’t have a best brunch spots list and not include a bagel restaurant! However, for a long time, I just couldn’t find bagels in Auckland worthy of a mention. Then a friend introduced me to Best Ugly Bagels: Montreal style, hand rolled and woodfired bagels baked fresh every day right in Auckland CBD! These gourmet bagels are absolutely heavenly - heavenly I say! Just the smell of freshly baked bagels when you enter the shop will have you salivating. Choose from plain or filled bagels to eat in-store, or take a bag home with you.
- 510Chancery BistroAuckland CentralThis is a great place to come for a big group brunch. I came here with all my friends and family for brunch the morning after my wedding, and it was perfect. It’s a big place with lots of indoor and outdoor seating. When we went after the wedding, the staff set up several long tables for us and organised a special brunch menu for our group. The Chancery is such a cool little spot that reminds me of being in Italy or somewhere, and Mecca has yummy food and lots of menu choices.