When JW Marriott fully renovated its first hotel in New Zealand in May, to say it raised a few eyebrows would be an understatement.

Situated in a prime location in downtown Auckland, it’s an urban retreat that offers access to the rich tapestry of cultural activities the city has to offer.

For JW Marriott, which has several venues in the Middle East, its Auckland offering builds on its reputation for high standards, while finding the important balance of paying homage to the country and city it finds itself in.

This is a hotel that’s packed with subtle references to all things New Zealand. Whether it’s art, culture or mentions of the ever-adored All Blacks (mostly made verbally by staff), you can’t help but immerse yourself in the unique heritage of the country.

The central chandelier near reception, inspired by New Zealand’s incredible array of stunning rivers and lakes, showcases this. Its food offerings are also immediately impressive, but more of that later.

Ready for adventure, The National checks in to find out more.

The welcome

The grandeur of this hotel is immediately felt upon our arrival. One of the first things my travel companion and I notice is a stunning moss wall, a nod to the respect for nature and wellness that soon becomes a common theme.

Check-in is as swift and efficient. We are quickly shown to our room, which is very welcome after the long 16-hour journey from Dubai.

One of this hotel’s most appealing features is its location, in the heart of Auckland’s central business district. It is only a short walk from the city’s major transport terminals and Commercial Bay Shopping Centre.

Its transport links are especially appealing, with easy access to ferries bound for nearby stunning Waiheke Island. In only little more than an hour, you can go from a bustling city hotel room to pristine beaches, dramatic coastlines, vineyards, olive groves and seaside villages.

The room

There are 271 rooms and 15 suites at JW Marriott Auckland, and I’m in an executive double.

It’s spacious with all the modern comforts you could hope for. Alongside the usual complimentary tea, coffee and bottled water in the room, there’s also access to the hotel’s executive lounge.

The furnishing is minimalist, but high-quality. There’s a spacious bathroom featuring a walk-in shower and bath. The room is stocked with everything I need in terms of toiletries and amenities, plus plush bathrobes and slippers, which never go amiss.

The food

The hotel’s biggest highlight, for me, is its food, with four main options: Trivet and Kureta as the two restaurants, Forum for light bites and coffee in the lobby, and, of course, in-room dining.

Trivet is the flagship restaurant, with a menu curated by chef Wallace Mua to showcase the eclectic nature of New Zealand’s cuisine.

For breakfast, there’s a buffet built around a continental European concept, complemented by New Zealand-inspired dishes. A dedicated fruit station is available, and a la carte menu offers cooked-to-order egg dishes, with an especially impressive omelette selection.

It’s at lunch and dinner where chef Mua’s experience, skill and energy really come through. His story is remarkable: he began as a pot washer at 15 before working his way up the culinary ladder and honing his craft in France. He even toured with the All Blacks during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, keeping the team fuelled throughout the tournament.

Now, drawing on classical European training and his Polynesian heritage, he’s focused on blending traditional techniques with the bold, distinct flavours he grew up with. The menu reflects this, with standouts including the Te Matuku oysters and the light Wagyu bavette.

I highly recommend the front-row chef’s table degustation experience (Dh260 per person). As the name suggests, it offers an intimate insight into what chef Mua is trying to achieve at Trivet. Guests sit at a central table in the restaurant while he prepares each course in front of them, explaining the inspiration and techniques behind every dish.

Standout dishes include market oysters, rare beef tartare and lamb belly, but really it’s about the experience. I’m lucky to be shown how to shuck oysters, and it’s truly something I’ll never forget.

Last but certainly not least comes Kureta, JW Marriott Auckland’s new Japanese restaurant that opened in late November.

Fronted by chef Akihiro Nakamura, it offers a teppanyaki dining experience in an intimate yet sophisticated setting with an open kitchen to watch the culinary team in action.

My recommendation here is to opt for the tasting menu and embrace the nuances of chef Nakamura’s creation. The 10-course offering, which includes premium cuts of Wagyu, sourced from New Zealand, Australia and Japan, is a real treat.

My other favourite dishes include the Skull Island tiger prawn gazpacho, the Japanese savoury egg and the Kombu-cured sashimi.

While JW Marriott Auckland has a lot to offer and caters to various preferences, for me, it’s a foodie paradise thanks to its high-quality offerings from locally-sourced produce.

Hotel facilities

It’s also a hotel that prides itself as a health and fitness destination, featuring a 220-square metre wellness centre that boasts a 14-metre heated indoor pool offering panoramic views over Auckland’s harbour.

There’s a cold plunge pool, a dry-heat sauna and, of course, a fully equipped gym. What’s more, the hotel offers a wellness concierge to provide tailored guidance and personal training suggestions.

Value for money

Prices start at Dh850; check-in is from 3pm, check-out is at 11am.

This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel and reflects hotel standards during this time. Services may change in the future

Famous left-handers

– Marie Curie

– Jimi Hendrix

– Leonardo Di Vinci

– David Bowie

– Paul McCartney

– Albert Einstein

– Jack the Ripper

– Barack Obama

– Helen Keller

– Joan of Arc

Innotech Profile

Date started: 2013

Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari

Based: Muscat, Oman

Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies

Size: 15 full-time employees

Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing 

Investors: Oman Technology Fund from 2017 to 2019, exited through an agreement with a new investor to secure new funding that it under negotiation right now. 

Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale

Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni

Director: Amith Krishnan

Rating: 3.5/5

The%20trailblazers

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Greatest Royal Rumble results

John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match

Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto

Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus

Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal

Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos

Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe

AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out

The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match

Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match

Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last

EXPATS

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David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

Avatar%20(2009)

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ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS

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SPECS

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Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Janet Yellen’s Firsts

In 2014, she became the first woman to lead the US Federal Reserve 
In 1999, she became the first female chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers 

Benefits of first-time home buyers’ scheme
Priority access to new homes from participating developers
Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
Flexible payment plans from developers
Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Why it pays to compare

A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time – the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany – found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 – around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30 

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Places to go for free coffee
Cherish Cafe Dubai, Dubai Investment Park, are giving away free coffees all day. 
La Terrace, Four Points by Sheraton Bur Dubai, are serving their first 50 guests one coffee and four bite-sized cakes
Wild & The Moon will be giving away a free espresso with every purchase on International Coffee Day
Orange Wheels welcome parents are to sit, relax and enjoy goodies at ‘Café O’ along with a free coffee