The newest boutique hotel in New Zealand’s cool capital expresses the bohemian flair of its locale.
A Blush King room at Naumi Wellington. (All photos courtesy of Naumi Hotels)
Singapore-based Naumi Hotels has just opened an edgy, whimsical bolthole in a windy city known for new-wave coffee shops, creative retail offerings, and a vibrant arts scene. Naumi Wellington is the brand’s seventh property globally and its third in New Zealand, after Naumi Auckland Airport and Naumi Studio Wellington, which debuted two years ago in the Edwardian-era heritage building right next door. Both hotels are located on Cuba Street, the main drag of Wellington’s hip inner-city Te Aro neighborhood.
In line with the brief, stylish interiors by New Zealand studio Material Creative purposefully eschew the color white. Bold color blocking in lilac, avocado green, rusty red, and turmeric-orange are present in all 62 velvet-draped guest rooms, contrasting with a carpet diagonally striped in fluorescent hues. Contemporary pieces from local artists complement peanut bedside lights by Swedish brand Ovature Studios and furniture by Kiwi design start-up Made of Tomorrow.
The lounge area of a Habitat King room.
Left to right: Details of a Habitat King room; the private dining room at Lola Rouge.
Rooms at Naumi Wellington also come with 65-inch TVs equipped with all the major streaming services for guests wanting to stay in and binge-watch hit series like The White Lotus. Complimentary minibars showcase drinks and savory treats by local New Zealand brands; expect to see organic juices and peach- and blood orange–infused sparkling water.
While there isn’t a spa, guests can take a dip in a small indoor lap pool with a Jacuzzi, hop on the treadmill at the compact gym, and look out over Cuba Street from the third-floor outdoor terrace. Naumi Wellington shares its dining outlets with sister property Naumi Studio Wellington; signature restaurant Lola Rouge serves up modern pan-Asian dishes by chef Kiran Ghate, whose creations combine local ingredients with flavors and textures drawing inspiration from countries like Japan, Vietnam, and Malaysia. The drinks menu at cozy Lola Rouge Bar spotlights wines from small producers and local craft beers. High tea and cocktails await at pastel-hued lounge The Parlour, whose arches and green-painted walls come adorned with sculptural assemblages (made using found objects) by famed Auckland-based artist Judy Darragh.
naumihotels.com; doubles from US$127
A corner of The Parlour at Naumi Studio Wellington.
Inside Lola Rouge Bar.
The living area of a dual-aspect Blush King room at Naumi Wellington.
