I am a bit late in writing this but was posting reviews of my stay in South Africa and realized I had forgotten to post on New Zealand from January 2007.

This is without a doubt my very favorite city hotel ever.

The owner is so charming and friendly as is the staff. The decor is all in very comfortable, flowing fabrics of shabby chic. Her husband, who designed opera sets in New York City, decorated it. My bathroom was luxurious marble and so nice. The bedroom had a large gold harp in the corner!

She has been an opera instructor for years and her students perform at night in the small living room. She plays the piano while they sing beautiful opera.

The food is fantastic as well. I really did not want to leave.

They have two cats on the property and if you wish you can ask the front desk if one of them can sleep in your room.

I would return here in a heartbeat. Loved it!!!

We arrived at Mollies via taxi just as the rain began. We were quite a bit early, and didn't expect to be able to check in, but were welcomed by Frances who dropped everything and graciously gave us a grand tour of the house. We had no idea that it was a house of music, but we could see the beauty immediately. When we were taken to our room, my mom burst into tears. There was opera playing on the CD player, and our room was a three room suite with a parlor looking out onto St. Mary's, a beautiful bedroom with twin beds, a small closet area with robes and slippers for us, and a luxurious spa bath with a huge tub and shower. Everything was plush and light. The ceilings are high, and the house feels spacious but not pretentious. The entry way leads you up the stairs to the sitting room with its grand piano, and adjacent is a common room full of movies, a computer, books to borrow, and a big screen telelvision. Out back is a small gym with wood walls and ceiling. The gym felt like a rustic but rich place in the country. Flowers were everywhere, and music was everywhere. My mom wondered if she truly had gone to heaven, and I think we did for those three days. We enjoyed the singing in the parlor and dinner on our second night. Frances is (was) a concert pianist and opera coach. We enjoyed her students, but she also encouraged a young guest to try his hands at the piano. We weren't just guests as much as part of this wonderful community for a few nights. We both had lamb, and it was the best lamb I've ever had (and I've worked for some excellent chefs who I thought had already served me the best lamb that I'd ever had.) Somehow we got a good deal on Expedia, because the general rate is beyond our reach....but we were so blessed to be able to spend the time at Mollies. It's a short uphill walk to Ponsonby and shops and restaurants. Taxis were easy to come by for short trips around the city, and we used the buses as well. Our stay was a series of surprises...we didn't know that we were in for such care and service and such MUSIC! Everything was taken care of behind the scenes, and we had fresh fruit and the nicest and tightest sheets I've ever slept on. If you are a music lover, or a food lover try Mollies. Go to indulge and take the time for the spa bath!! I almost forgot to add that the floors are heated, and the spa bath has a heater that will keep your bath warm. The decor is comfortable, and you know that you are in the arts while you are there. It will stay in my memory for many years. Perhaps we will get to return someday.

A stay at Mollies is indeed a rare treat. We stayed for two nights on our way from Australia to the USA and thoroughly enjoyed the property and the hospitality of the owners.

The experience is like staying at the grand home of a friend - rather than in a hotel.

We stayed in one of the lower floor suites that had a separate bedroom and lounge area (Suite 6). Behind the bedroom was a contemporary light filled bathroom. The lounge area, with grand piano, was filled with compendiums on operas and music and this gave a hint of what the guests were to enjoy later in the evening. The room didn't have an expansive view of the harbour, however, it did have a large terrace and a green leafy outlook.

The common areas of the hotel again have a grand yet friendly feel about them. As you enjoy an afternoon drink you can lap up the sumptuous interiors and, if you are lucky, get to cuddle one of the two gorgeous burmese cats that resides in the house.

Just before dinner the guests are treated to a short performance of arias by either the staff and/or music students accompanied by Frances (the owner) on the piano. Frances is a great host - keen to make all her guests feel at home. The general manager Jack was a delight.

We had dinner one night at Herne Bay and the second night at Mollies. The meal was theatrical and fun and the food excellent. The only down point was a rather intrusive street lamp that illuminated the bar/dining area. Drapes may have made the room more comfortable.

Each night we returned to our suite to find a lovely small present left by our hosts.

The a la Carte breakfast was served in the bar/dining room. A computer with internet access is available in the library.

We are looking forward to returning to Mollies soon.

The owners and management of Mollies know how to make a great impression. The attention to detail is carried throughout the hotel from the discreet signage in the hedgerow, to the reception, public rooms to the bedroom and bathroom.

All of the staff are very friendly and helpful. We had one of the smaller rooms – still big though. We had a beautiful double bed and a sofa for relaxing on. We both took turns in sitting reading on the sofa with a lovely breeze coming from our balcony. The bathroom had a wonderful walk-in shower. It has to be one of the biggest I have ever been in. There was also a spa bath but I ran out of time and never got a chance to use this. Molton Brown toiletries are used throughout the hotel

After a day of wandering around Auckland I returned to the hotel and booked a Luxurious Spa Massage which was an hour of absolute bliss and I would recommend the treatment to everyone.

Before dinner the guests are invited down to the lounge for drinks and a little operatic entertainment. Most of the waiting staff are also to opera singers. It was a wonderful experience and really added to the magical feel of the hotel.

Dinner was to a very high standard (5 courses but we only managed 3). With every course the waiter explained exactly what you were being served. Here, as everywhere else, there is attention to detail. Whilst we were at dinner, not only was our bed being turned down but our room was tidied with clothes hung up.

I have never stayed anywhere so luxurious and special before. We both loved the hotel and wanted to stay for longer. The bed linen is beautifully embroidered and a mohair blanket on the bed.

There are two resident Burmese cats who wander around and are always on the look out for a willing lap to sit in and be petted.