New Zealand’s Hottest New Hotel Opening
December 2022: Situated on Cuba Street, one of Wellington’s most electric and charismatic areas, Naumi Wellington has just opened its doors to guests. The hotel marks the seventh property for disruptor hotel brand, Naumi Hotels, who are trailblazing the eclectic boutique hotel space in the APAC region with their irrepressible colourful design and style overseen by leading New Zealand designers, Material Creative.
The hotel comprises 62 oversized rooms, more like a studio apartment than a hotel guestroom, ensuring the most comfortable stay. The colour palette reflects the essence of Naumi – colourful and wild with a refined edge. Bold colour blocking in the rooms takes its inspiration from nature: lilac, avocado green, rusty red, subtle turmeric, like the colours of a Wellington sunset tastefully clashing with a contemporary carpet diagonally striped in fluorescent colours. Statement peanut bedside lights by Sweden based Ovature Studios feature in every room alongside unique bedside tables, coffee tables, and mirrors by young Kiwi design start-up, Made of Tomorrow. Artwork includes a sustainably designed kina, inspired by the spiky and plump sea urchins endemic to New Zealand, designed by local artist, Andi Regan, made from cable ties dyed in a multitude of colours.
The walls of each room are draped in sumptuous velvet that provide soothing acoustics to make guests feel warm and cosy. For full chill factor, the rooms at Naumi Wellington have the largest televisions in the country at 65” ready to go with all major streaming services for those times when binge watching and ordering in room service are on the menu.
Situated on elevated floor levels, rooms have a view either out over Cuba Street or across to the Wellington hills.
The Naumi Wellington team have curated a special mini bar full of local New Zealand brands that all have a connection to the hotel including organic juices, peach and blood orange infused sparkling water and a selection of delectable savoury treats. Guests can enjoy these at the hotel or take with them on departure, so they continue their New Zealand gourmet journey.
Spaces & Places
Naumi Wellington’s restaurants and bars are already talk of the town. Lola Rouge is a celebration of South-East Asia with a menu meticulously crafted by award-winning Executive Chef Kiran Ghate, combining a stunning range of local ingredients, colour, flavour and texture to reflect the Asian influences of Lola Rouge. The extensive drinks menu of boutique wines, cocktails and beers from local craft breweries happily accompany the dishes. Lola Rouge Bar is like stepping into a cabinet of curiosities, a cosy, sumptuous space to nurse a drink under the dim flickers of luxurious lamps. Merging old world glamour with new world romanticism, The Parlour is a pastel-hued dreamscape inspired by light-filled Parisian conservatories: a space to enjoy High Tea and cocktails. Floral sculptural assemblages from renowned New Zealand artist, Judy Darragh adorn the green walls, offset by the high arches framing this saccharine sweet spot.
Naumi Wellington shares its dining outlets with its sister property, Naumi Studio Wellington, that is located in the heritage building next door. The Edwardian-era building was originally one of many People’s Palace hotels that were built by the Salvation Army in the late 19th and early 20th century.
“There is a real charm about Naumi hotels, with a brief of no white, we are pushed to use colour in new ways and ensure we create unexpected spaces that bring people together,” says Toni Brandso, Director and Interior Designer at Material Creative.
“We love the spirit of Wellington – its grit, street art, galleries, cafés, fashion, cocktails and culture. The opening of Naumi Wellington gives guests a brand-new boutique experience in the world’s coolest little capital. I am very excited about this new addition to the Naumi portfolio of hotels where we invite guests to experience the whimsical world of Naumi,” says Gaurang Jhunjhnuwala, CEO of Naumi Hotels.