The location is perfect, in an iconic building and very central. With sea views as a bonus, at least in our Pacific View room. Good local information is provided which did help us decide where to eat. The room was nice with plenty of windows to make the most of the view. Despite being right on the front with Marine Drive running past the building, noise (thinking traffic here) was not an issue. We imagine it could be more of an issue if there is something on at the Napier Soundshell, but of course you might enjoy what's on anyway! Parking is not ideal but it is difficult to see how it could realistically be improved. There are a couple of designated spaces on a car park on Hastings Street, a few minutes walk away and you will need to book these. You can stop right outside the Dome to load and unload for a limited period. No breakfast is provided (there's nobody there to do it) but we found an excellent place for breakfast (ROAM) which is on the way to the car park so you can make a virtue of a necessity and call in for breakfast on your way to the car! Laundry facilities and a rooftop sun lounge are available, we used the former but not the latter as we simply didn't have time. The reason for dropping one on the rating is that the access arrangements are decidely clunky. The building doesn't warrant a physical presence, that's understood, but you need a voice intercom at the outside door which, when released, leads you to a key box. You also need to have a second key to gain access to the roof lounge and laundry and the first one we tried didn't work. To wash and dry a load of laundry requires three trips from your room to the laundry area and back, passing through two locked doors each time with the possibility of locking yourself out. We would like to think this arrangement could be improved and it seems we are not alone in this. However, apart from that it was a pleasure staying in such an iconic property.
