Stay: M Social Hotel Auckland

If Auckland hotels were living rooms, M Social would be the cool one with a harbour view, a charcuterie board on the table, and a robot butler! 🤖 Stylish, playful, and ridiculously convenient, it’s the kind of place that makes you think: why stay anywhere else?

Last week, my cousin Karen, my daughter, and I checked in – again! – for a quick Auckland stay before Kaydes and I flew to Fiji. We’ve stayed at M Social Auckland more times than I can count, and every visit reminds me why it’s our go-to. It nails the balance between city energy and easy comfort, with thoughtful touches that feel indulgent, but not too fancy to unwind.

When Hari Met Kaydes

…or rather, vice versa. From the moment we step into the lobby now, Kaydes makes a beeline for Hari – the hotel’s ever-patient delivery robot stationed near reception. The lobby is modern, light-filled, and dotted with playful design touches. But for my three-year-old? Hari is the star.

Where else can you say your preschooler’s favourite staff member is made of metal?!

I still have to physically steer her away from his buttons as she opens his little cupboards, hoping to prevent any unplanned deliveries. It’s a small but memorable part of why staying here feels special – the combination of sleek design and lighthearted fun.

The lobby opens into Beast & Butterflies, the on-site restaurant that feels both stylish and cosy. We usually head there for the included breakfast (more on that later), but it’s equally good for dinner or drinks when you want to “go out” without actually leaving the building.

For those driving in, the valet parking included in the Loaded package is a game-changer. Pull up, hand over the keys, and forget about Auckland’s parking chaos. If you arrive early, the staff happily store your bags and call you when your room is ready – perfect when you just want to settle in.

The ‘Loaded’ Life

If you’re staying at M Social, do yourself a favour and book the Social View Loaded Room package. It’s the hotel’s sweet spot for value and indulgence, especially if you’re driving in or travelling as a pair or small family.

Here’s what’s included in the Loaded package:

• Valet parking – just pull up, hand over the keys, and forget about Auckland’s parking chaos.
• Charcuterie board – perfectly portioned, with cured meats, cheeses, crackers, and nibbles.
• A bottle of wine or bubbles – your choice from a selection, to enjoy whenever you like.

I love that there’s no pressure to enjoy the wine or board at a set time. We usually settle in first, get our bags sorted, while Kaydes makes herself at home somewhere between unpacking Pickle and asking Hari to deliver our treats. Most people probably head to Beast & Butterflies for a livelier vibe, but there’s something so good about sipping wine while watching the ferries glide by, feeling completely at home.

Karen dives into her favourites, I graze happily, and Kaydes nibbles a cracker or two before returning to her toddler-approved snacks. It’s relaxed, familiar, and has become a part of our M Social ritual every time we visit.

We keep coming back for the location – everything we need is right outside the door. It’s right near Britomart Station, Ferry Terminal, Queen Street shopping, and the waterfront boardwalks make it a prime spot for all. We don’t come up to shop really, but it’s great having everything nearby in case we need to grab something.

The Room (A King for Queens)

This latest time we were in a King bed configuration, and it was massive. Karen and I claimed the edges, and Kaydes promptly starfished in the middle – hence her new nickname: Starfish! She does try the cot at first… for a bit, before setting her sights on our bed.

The design balances style and practicality: a comfy couch under the window, a table with a cushioned chair (just watch the low-hanging light – I’ve knocked my head more than once!), a smart TV, USB outlets, and a mini fridge that we stock with essentials. The jug gets far more use than the coffee machine, but it’s nice having both.

And of course, if we need anything – extra towels, milk, tea – Hari is just a quick call away!

From level 12, the view sweeps across Auckland’s harbour, with Devonport in the distance and ferries gliding past all day. I could happily spend hours watching the boats arriving and departing, people strolling by, and the city lights coming alive after dark.

Just off the bedroom, the entryway has loads of counter space. Ideal for bags, snacks, or tossing the day’s bits and pieces. Opposite that is the bathroom, which is a great size, with strong water pressure and generously stocked toiletries. Everything’s clean, sleek, and laid out in a way that just works. No bath in our latest room type, but the Harbour Suites have lush ones.

These days, I don’t need to hotel-proof quite as much – Kaydes is almost four and more aware – but I still keep an eye on where she’s poking around – especially when it comes to calling robots!

Snacks, Macs, and Buffet Stacks

We rarely eat dinner out when staying here – M Social is one of those rare hotels where you actually want to stay in. Between our own snacks and the charcuterie board, we’re sorted. Sometimes we’ll dash to Woolworths or Maccas near Britomart for a cosy in-room picnic.

Breakfast is served downstairs at Beast and Butterflies, and is included with the Loaded package. Another reason we keep coming back. The vibe downstairs is stylish but friendly, with a layout that works for families. We never feel too out of place, even when we’re clearly there with a small tornado in tow!

I make a beeline for eggs, hash browns, and other warm treats I don’t tend to make at home. Karen enjoys her picks, and Kaydes? She lives her best breakfast life with loads of cucumber, watermelon, yoghurt, pastries, and Rice Bubbles. I usually do the first buffet run for her favourites while Karen keeps watch, then we swap. There’s such a large range there, and I love that I can pick a small bit of something new for Kaydes to sample, before going back to get more for her – or me!

Why We’ll Keep Coming Back

M Social has officially ruined me for other Auckland hotels. Honestly, where else can you find valet parking, charcuterie boards, bubbles on standby, and a robot who’ll deliver extra towels to your door? Even my toddler’s hooked – she spots Hari before I’ve even walked to the front desk.

It’s more than just the perks, though. It’s the way everything feels easy here. We arrive, hand over the car keys, drop our bags, and it’s like the city stress melts away. The views stretch out over the harbour, the beds are so comfortable that even my starfish-sleeping preschooler can’t wake me, and breakfast is the kind of spread that makes me linger far longer than planned.

Thanks for another stay full of views, laughs, and little luxuries. We’ll see you soon – and probably more than once – because honestly, you’ve set the bar so high I’m not sure any other Auckland stay can compete.

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Have you stayed at M Social Auckland? I’d love to know what your experience was like, or if you have another city stay you always return to. Let me know below – especially if there’s a hotel robot involved!