The streetside entrance to this 33-story highrise blends in well with the historic neighborhood. Behind the facade rises a curving tower of glass that houses a lounge, fine restaurant, cafe, delicatessen, club bar, chic nightclub, and a gallery of shops. Lovely Italian marble and original art embellish common areas, which are slated for updating.

Options for healthy diversion are abundant in the country's largest hotel-based gym, the aerobics room, sauna, solarium, pool, plunge pool, whirlpool, and pro shop, and on the tennis courts. A wide range of massage treatments is available as well. Generous conference space comprises 14 rooms for groups of up to 1,500 people, and the business center takes care of all eventualities. Parking elicits fees, and pets are not permitted.

The newly refurbished guest rooms have been fitted with chic urbane appointments and cool earth-toned color schemes, plush carpeting and firm new mattresses. All have air conditioning, phones with voice mail and data ports, TVs, radios, minibars, coffeemakers, and twin or king beds. Baths have marble walls and vanities, tubs, stall showers, hair dryers and fine toiletries. Irons and ironing boards are now in all rooms. Guests in Regency Club rooms enjoy complimentary breakfast and hors d'oeuvres, concierge and butler service, and access to a private lounge. Room service runs nonstop, and smoke-free and wheelchair-accessible rooms are in the mix.

The staff and management work hard to provide nearly faultless service here.

The open-plan lobby is dotted with large-scale art and sculpture, a marble checkerboard floor, and fragrant floral arrangements. Unlike the neighboring Heritage, the surroundings here are clean-lined and contemporary, giving guests a fine first impression.

Dining is in a semi-formal room with exotic jarrah wood floors and marble columns. The menu features well-prepared modern New Zealand fare, with an emphasis on fresh catch-of-the-day seafood. A split-level lounge provides snacks and spirits, as well as nightly entertainment.

Active guests will find a small gym and a sauna at their disposal. Meeting facilities, however, are much more varied, with conference facilities for up to 140 people. Valets park cars, but leave your pets at home.

The accommodations have dark masculine overtones, desks, corner sitting areas and compact baths. Standard throughout are TVs, minibars, safes, phones with data ports and voice mail, irons, and ironing boards. More than half the rooms are relegated to nonsmokers, and two rooms are designed for guests with disabilities. Room service stops at 11 pm.