The Intrepid Hotel review, Wellington, New Zealand: Right where you want to be

CHECK-IN

The owner-designers of this boutique luxury hotel which opened last year had one mission: to create a place they would want to stay in. So there's style, bags of it; and comfort – just try leaving that lounge when you've settled in with a drink; plus there's location, smack bang in the centre of this hip, beautiful and eminently walkable city. The Intrepid is a stroll to the best restaurants, bars and funky shops of Cuba Street and the myriad eat streets and laneways that run off it, and just an eight-minute walk to the Waterfront. But while convenience can be king, the Intrepid is all about the extra gesture. The paper bag with warm croissants, butter and orange juice left, gratis, at your door each morning. The communal sideboard with on-tap sparkling and filtered water. The noon check-out and free Wi-Fi. And the chocolate marshmallow Pinky bar left on your bed each night.

THE LOOK

Heritage and quirk meet and marry at this 18-room hotel and the union is a successful one. A doorman stands outside the 1909 exterior of this one-time Cadbury's building, giving it the look of a welcoming nightclub. Inside is a sitting area with dark walls and drapes, leather lounges, brasserie-type chairs and tables, velvet cushions, red underlights. Back-lit stuffed animals pop, as does a faceless portrait of a long-robed woman. To the left is the small but helpful reception with that quirk again: more taxidermy, barber accessories, fun cups and caps and heritage knick-knacks for sale. Head down a corridor with a pressed metal ceiling and patterned walls towards the on-site Puffin Bar and use the electronic disc on your key ring to enter the small lift to your room.

THE ROOM

Exit from your lift portal to a shared landing. It's here that you can fill your room jug or water bottle with your on-tap water of choice. In the mornings, help yourself to a flask of freshly-made coffee (no pods or complicated machines to deal with). Boiling water, teas and a bottle of milk in a cute fridge on the sideboard are available all day. An art deco trolley completes the picture with daily papers, flowers and hand sanitiser. I enter my Mighty room with a key - no swipe card - to find it lives up to its name, with high ceilings and serious room to move. To my right is an open wardrobe, a luggage rack, iron and board. On a shelf is crockery, a bottle opener, chips, popcorn and nuts (again, gratis). A bar fridge offers soft drinks and there's a vanity with a full-length mirror. Further along is a room with toilet and sink; then a bathroom with a shower and high-lit vanity, and finally the main event - a bedroom/sitting area, with coffee table, lounge, king bed and digital wall TV. The industrial-chic room has dark tones with splashes of colour yet manages to be light and airy. Opening block-out curtains reveals a view of busy Ghuznee Street and a park. There are comfy robes, the room is quiet, the bed and air-conditioning very comfortable.

FOOD + DRINK

It's mid-winter, borders have just re-opened yet the streets and most restaurants are bustling. Head just up the road to Noble Rot Wine Bar (noblerot.co.nz). At this specialist bar with the ugly name (noble rot is a beneficial wine grape fungus) sample wines by the glass - or even half glass - chosen by talented sommeliers and pair them with tasting plates. Next on the don't-miss list is the new Liberty (libertyrestaurant.co.nz) on Cuba Street which offers a wild mix of cuisines from Korean Fried Chicken to Te Matuku oysters. But this is NZ and the lamb is exceptional. Nearby Middle Eastern Kisa (kisarestaurant.co.nz) is also a new kid on the block. Here you'll find fresh-baked flatbreads and jam-packed Turkish flavours. An eight-minute walk will land you at Field & Green (fieldandgreen.co.nz), specialising in European soul food. Sit at a snug table or drape yourself on a kitchen bench to watch the chefs at work. The roast bone marrow entree was excellent but the brunch menu, including a fish finger sandwich, intrigues. For brekkie, if the Intrepid's huge croissants are a mere appetiser, try Loretta's home-made crumpets on Cuba Street (loretta.net.nz) or August Eatery on Taranaki Street (augusteatery.co.nz)for Mediterranean dishes such as tsoureki French toast. Nightcap? Trip downstairs to the popular plush Puffin Bar, which favours organic wines and mean cocktails in a salon setting.