The Ultimate Staycation

January 31, 2022
Hilton Auckland rooftop pool

Hilton Auckland, one of New Zealand’s premier hotels, has just upped the ante with an all-new dining experience and Gourmet Staycation Package. Staying in has never felt so luxurious! 

Picture yourself sitting poolside, drink in hand, soaking up the sunshine. Just a slight turn of the head reveals awe-inspiring views over Waitemata Harbour. Downstairs is an even more impressive view in an upscale but unpretentious restaurant serving some of the finest local seafood – rarely found on any other menu in the city. When you retire to your room in the lap of luxury, a gourmet treat awaits you. And should you feel inclined, In-Room Dining is just a call away.  

Sounds like a dream but it’s exactly what’s on offer with Hilton Auckland’s Gourmet Staycation Package. Made even more desirable by their newly revamped dining experience.  

A New Level of Dining 

Des Harris

Hilton Auckland’s new Culinary Director Des Harris brings a wealth of experience and awards to the role. Des made his mark in the kitchen at Wellington’s Logan Brown alongside Al Brown and Steven Logan in 2006 before making the move to Auckland to take up the Head Chef duties at Clooney as well as The Hunting Lodge and Tantalus Estate. The impact of his extensive culinary refinement is now being felt throughout the hotel as he oversees Hilton Auckland’s complete menu design including FISH, Bellini as well as In-Room Dining and Events. 

Josh Seeds

Joining Des in the culinary ranks and leading the kitchen team is Executive Chef Josh Seeds. Josh adds another layer of culinary refinement to Hilton Auckland following his experience working in luxury hotel kitchens around the world. The hotel’s prime location on the waterfront and opportunity to learn more about New Zealand’s sea life was enough to lure Josh away from Japan. And now diners will be able to benefit from his experience as he pushes the hotel’s offerings to the next level.  

FISH - A Fresh, New Catch 

FISH restaurant

Sitting out at the end of Princes Wharf, 300 meters out to sea, FISH is just as well-known for its menu as it is for its spectacular views over Waitemata Harbour. Not resting on their laurels, however, Hilton Auckland took last year’s lockdown as an opportunity to develop a new vision for the restaurant which pays homage to its location and welcomed back customers with a sophisticated casual fine dining experience. And with Des and Josh at the helm of the iconic waterfront restaurant, diners can now enjoy an exciting new menu at FISH.  

Des and Josh aim to showcase the best seafood products New Zealand has to offer from locations, suppliers and producers that share the same philosophy of sustainability, catch methods and seasonality. The ethos at FISH is not just to serve local seafood, but to ensure that it is done so ethically. This means that the ingredients sourced aren’t endangered, are caught in the right method, and don’t harm the environment. 

FISH menu

The pair’s approach to sustainability allows them to offer local seafood you won’t often find in restaurants like Paua, Scampi, Smoked Eel and Blue Cod, prepared with their own elevated twist. Stand out items on the menu include Smoked-Eel Carbonara (the eel mimics bacon in the classic dish), Torched Clams, Scampi-Tail Éclair, Grilled Crayfish Tail with Sunflower Seed Risotto, Macadamia and Sweetcorn and Blue Cod, Sourdough battered, Caviar Ranch. The menu changes regularly depending on seasonality and seafood availability. 

Gourmet Staycation Package 

To coincide with their renewed dining experience, Hilton Auckland have put together a luxurious Gourmet Staycation Package for ‘the food lovers and social shakers.’ 

The Gourmet Staycation Package includes $150 food & beverage credit to spend at FISH, Bellini Bar or on In-Room Dining, plus breakfast for two, a gourmet treat on arrival by Honest Chocolate, and a complimentary room upgrade (subject to availability).  

Re-opening just in time for summer is Hilton Auckland’s famous rooftop pool. Relax poolside with an ice-cool drink in hand or watch the harbour activity from under water through the glass viewing platform! 

Hilton Auckland rooftop pool

Book your Gourmet Staycation using the link below from just *$399 and stay, dine and indulge in all that the hotel has to offer with some of the most spectacular harbour views in Auckland. 

Hilton CleanStay™   

During these times, health, safety and wellbeing is Hilton Auckland’s top priority. You can have peace of mind knowing their team are taking extra care to ensure you remain safe during your stay. 

The Hilton CleanStay™ program is in place which builds on their already rigorous cleaning standards, with a promise to deliver the same level of reliable and friendly service you’d expect from Hilton, but with the added confidence of industry-leading hygiene practices created to keep you safe. For details on the Hilton CleanStay™ program, click here.  

Book your Gourmet Staycation Package now at fishrestaurant.co.nz/gourmet-staycation

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