New Zealand’s first Park Hyatt hotel will put guests in an intimate environment that nods to the country’s distinct Māori heritage.

The upcoming debut of Park Hyatt Auckland looks set to add a dash of sophistication to the up-and-coming Wynyard Quarter, a former industrial area flanked on three sides by Waitematā Harbour. A short stroll along the seafront from Auckland’s central business district, the property is all about understated luxury with a New Zealand–inspired look.

Sydney-trained designer Ali Reda from ar+d (a Singapore firm) worked in tandem with local studio Bossley Architects to create a hotel that would reflect a Māori wharenui, or house, and its role as a gathering place that could bring families and communities together. The seven-story Park Hyatt’s “double skin” of sliding and pivoting mesh screens subtly recalls a Māori cloak, and rooms have been arranged around an impressive central atrium lit by skylights. The contemporary interiors, meanwhile, are courtesy of UK-based Conran and Partners, who worked together with local Iwi (tribes) to showcase traditional Māori artworks throughout the property. In addition, pouwhenua (carved wooden posts) made from endemic totara trees will be placed at the entrances to the hotel.

From September 15, travelers will be able to bed down in Park Hyatt Auckland’s 195 rooms and suites. These start at a generous 47 square meters, practically double the size of comparable hotel rooms elsewhere in the city. The largest of them all is the 245-square-meter rooftop Presidential suite, which features an internal garden and an enormous outdoor terrace ideal for entertaining and celebrating special occasions. Guest quarters come with floor-to-ceiling windows; most have views of either the Lighter Quay or Waitematā Harbour, and all rooms have been decorated with bespoke tukutuku panels—a traditional Māori art form—as well as rugs made from New Zealand wool. Even twin bedrooms are indulgent: each one is fitted with two king-size beds and two separate bathrooms.

Overseen by executive chef Brent Martin—a New Zealander who returned home after spending more than 20 years managing restaurants at luxury hotels abroad—all four of the Park Hyatt’s drinking and dining venues enjoy a backdrop of the water and views of the Auckland city skyline. Signature restaurant Onemata turns the spotlight on local produce: its menu is driven by seasonal ingredients sourced from top-notch New Zealand suppliers and food artisans. The Pantry will offer a contemporary dine-in experience in a relaxed environment, alongside grab-and-go meals for those in a hurry. À la carte breakfasts and a unique afternoon tea experience await at The Living Room, the hotel’s all-day dining venue, while Captain’s Bar will give classic cocktails a local twist, drawing on its collection of fortified spirits and pairing concoctions with snacks and sharing platters.

New Zealand residents who can’t wait to check out Auckland’s newest five-star hotel should not miss the opening offer. Those who reserve a room by October 31 for stays before December 31, 2020 will receive a complimentary upgrade to the next room category and a hotel credit of NZ$50 per night.

More information here.