I Spent 24 Hours With My Boss… and Survived
BY JENNY JUNG
What happens when a work trip doubles as a city-wide adventure?
20 OCT - 2025
When staying at SO/ Hotel becomes your access pass to Auckland’s best.
SO/ Hotel is one of those places you can always depend on for a good time: great rooms, great service, great restaurant and a great bar. So when we were given the chance to explore their Key to the City package, we were thrilled. We decided to make a weekend of it: a trip to Tantalus Estate on Waiheke Island for lunch and wine tasting, dinner and drinks back at SO/ Hotel and a much-needed express facial at The Facialist. It was the kind of getaway that reminded us just how good Auckland can be when you let the city show off a little. As you know, finding things to do in this city has been my main prerogative on Tik Tok.
SO/ Hotel
SO/ Hotel
Tantalus Estate:
If you’re planning a trip to Waiheke, Tantalus Estate is non-negotiable. It is hands down the best winery on the island. From the service to the setting, everything was so perfect. It’s one of those places where the vibe is immaculate, the food never misses and the wine could convert even the most reluctant wine skeptic (like myself).
We started with a round of local oysters, perfectly fresh and briney, followed by standout starters like the pâté and kingfish pastrami. And while the mains were faultless, it was the dessert that stole the show – Tantalus’ own take on a Snickers bar: nutty, decadent and the perfect sweet note to end a rich meal.
As part of the SO/ Hotel Key to the City package, you’ll also enjoy a complimentary flagship wine tasting when you book a lunch or dinner reservation at Tantalus. With the hotel just a brisk 5 minute walk from the ferry terminal, it’s the perfect excuse for a day trip that blends luxury, with a touch of adventure.
Tantalus Estate, Oysters, Battered Oysters, Kingfish Pastrami.
Harbour Society and HI-SO Roof Top Bar
After a full day out, Harbour Society was the perfect place to recharge. Sometimes, after an afternoon of adventure, the last thing you want to do is get dressed up and head back out again. That’s why I love a hotel with a great restaurant. Just a quick elevator ride from your room, and you’re transported into a space that feels like you’re in a totally new space, complete with sweeping views over the harbour.
The menu delivers just as beautifully. We particularly loved the ravioli with whiskey butter, the A5 Japanese wagyu – easily one of the best we’ve ever had (even compared to what we tried in Australia) – and the squid, which added a fresh, vibrant balance to the meal. Paired with the relaxed luxury of the setting, it was the ideal way to wind down and soak in the night.
By this point, Sophie and I were feeling delightfully tipsy, so we capped the night with Negronis at HI-SO Rooftop Bar – our kind of dessert. A quick elevator ride later, we were back in our rooms, tucked into crisp sheets, and half-asleep to the sound of another movie playing in the background.
Harbour Society, A5 Japanese Wagyu Steak.
The Facialist:
The next morning called for recovery, and The Facialist delivered exactly that. Just a quick Uber from Britomart, tucked away in City Works Depot, it’s the ultimate hangover cure disguised as self-care. We both booked the Glow on the Go Express Facial, and it was every bit as rejuvenating as it sounds – complete with red light therapy that felt like a warm hug for our tired faces. The best part? We were finally in separate rooms. After 24 hours of wining, dining and side-by-side everything, the silence was nothing short of bliss. Phew.
Just kidding, I love you, Soph!
The Facialist, City Works Depot, Auckland.
The Key to the City package is one of those ideas that just makes sense — and I wish more hotels would follow suit! In this economy, a staycation is a luxury most of us have to plan carefully, but SO/ Auckland makes it feel both attainable and exciting again. With thoughtful inclusions like complimentary wine tastings, exclusive dining perks and easy access to some of Auckland’s best spots, it transforms a regular weekend into something that actually feels new. It’s proof that you don’t need to leave the city to escape it – all you need is the right key to unlock it all.
Here are some of the extra-good offers you’ll unlock as part of the package:
Complimentary wines or desserts at Auckland CBD’s standout restaurants:
A complimentary class and sauna at SALA (perfect for resetting after all the indulgence).
An exclusive “secret” menu at Pici for $45 — just for guests.
20% off treatments at HANA (so yes, you can slot in that facial)
And on the island side of things? VIP-tastings at vineyards like Tantalus Estate and more.
We hope you get to experience this special package from SO/ Hotel because you won't want to miss out when it's over!
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