Empire Apartments (Auckland, New Zealand)

The hotel is conveniently located: It's easy to get around the area on foot; there is a number restaurants, cafes, and shops nearby; and public transit is easily accessible.

If you're staying in Auckland on a budget, this hotel might be a good choice. It's basic but extremely affordable, so it will give you a comfortable place to sleep, close to most everything in Auckland, without hurting your bank account.

The apartments are spacious and give you plenty of space to spread out and make yourself comfortable. Bedrooms and bathrooms are a good size, so you won't feel cramped during your stay.

The affordable prices at this hotel come with a cost: Rooms don't include Wi-Fi (though it's available at a premium, metered price) or television, cleaning service is minimal and not performed daily, and the included kitchens don't boast much in the way of cooking equipment.

The property is 19 stories tall, and it only has two elevators. Be prepared to do a fair amount of waiting for the lifts when trying to get up to or down from your room, especially in the rare case of one of the elevators needing maintenance.

Many of the apartments are occupied by students at Auckland University of Technology, so guests from outside should not expect the environment to be typical of a normal tourist hotel. There may be a fair amount of noise depending on how rowdy your neighbours might be.