At the centre of town, surrounded by amenities, the Sofitel offers a taste of European elegance. Step inside and you may think you’d arrived on a rue in France; there’s a public area including shops, a cafe, a grand piano and the velvet-curtained access to the in-house speakeasy. The Parisian-style Left Bank Cafe and Restaurant continues this French theme, as does its 1789 Wine & Jazz bar, with frequent live sets. The spa, with a hammam and unique Maori massage treatments, has won awards. The hotel’s six-storeys accommodate bedrooms, suites and penthouses; the latter providing lake views, patios and jacuzzis.