Picolo recommends · Hotel in Auckland, New Zealand
Hotel DeBrett
Art deco curves from the 1920s on High Street, rooms full of colour and a bar that locals actually use.
The curved art deco facade on High Street dates from the 1920s, and inside the rooms are bright with colour and pattern. Hotel DeBrett is a small hotel, and it feels like someone with strong opinions chose every lamp.
The bar downstairs draws a crowd of its own, which gives the place a lived-in buzz. High Street is in the heart of the city centre, so the waterfront, Britomart and the shopping streets are all within walking distance.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Hotel DeBrett
We like DeBrett for its personality and its price. It gives you a boutique stay in central Auckland for less than the big waterfront hotels, and a style you will remember after the trip.
Rooms are not all the same size, and the smallest are compact. Check the room type and its size before you book, especially if you are travelling with a lot of luggage.
What you get
- 1920s art deco building
- Colourful, individually styled rooms
- Popular hotel bar
- Small boutique hotel
- Short ride to Ponsonby and Karangahape Road
A day at Hotel DeBrett
- Morning
- Breakfast in one of the cafes around High Street.
- Midday
- Vintage shopping along Karangahape Road, known locally as K Road.
- Afternoon
- Coffee and a wander through the side streets of Ponsonby.
- Evening
- A drink in the DeBrett bar as it fills up.
Location
High Street, Auckland, New Zealand
Open in MapsQuestions about Hotel DeBrett
Is Hotel DeBrett good value?
It is one of the more affordable boutique options in central Auckland, with plenty of character for the price.
Are the rooms at Hotel DeBrett large?
They vary. Some are spacious, others are compact, so compare room types and sizes when you book.
What is near Hotel DeBrett in Auckland?
High Street is central, with shops and cafes around it. Ponsonby and Karangahape Road, good for cafes and vintage shops, are a short ride away.
Other hotels nearby
Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
How Picolo chooses
Our editors pick every hotel themselves, and most of them we have stayed at. No hotel can pay to be included or ranked higher. When you book through our links, Hotels.com pays Picolo a small commission. It never changes the price you pay, and it never decides what we write.
