When I started working alongside a friendly Englishman at the Museum Hotel back in February 1998, I could never have imagined that the sliding doors of fate would open and entwine our stories together and that some 17 years later we would be staying our final night in the city we loved at the very same place that brought us together in the beginning.
What a fitting end to a most incredible journey. One that led us right to the other side of the world and then brought us back again to live in the wonderful city we called home for the past 13 years.
Having been a part of the early days of the hotel as we were working in front office reception, we had caught glimpses of the vision Chris Parkin (the owner) had for the hotel, and over the past 17 years, the hotel has been transformed into a world-class unique dining and accommodation experience. It's hard to believe the hotel started life on the other side of the road where Te Papa now is before the grand plan to move the whole hotel on wheels across the road gave it a new life in a new location.
Only a few weeks before our night here, we had treated ourselves to the most divine dinner at Hippopotamus which was in itself worth raving about and I did just that right here! This time though, a night in the Museum Hotel apartments awaited us - a luxurious treat after a day spent cleaning the house from top to bottom.
The first thing that greeted us as we walked in the room was this funky coffee machine - hello green goddess! And whilst we didn't end up making a coffee in the end, just having it on tap was a big tick!
And that bath. Oh my word.
I can confirm that this is most definitely a 2-person bath - and that's something we have not done in years - if ever!
Oh super comfy king bed - where have you been all my life?!
The apartment was so well appointed and roomy with it's own kitchen and living room separate to the bedroom.
And just when we thought our night couldn't get any better - this then arrived to our room compliments of the hotel, so we toasted our thirteen years of love and life in this city in style.
And have you ever seen a pillow menu before? Um....hello most decadent luxury!
After walking through town to enjoy one last meal out at the Matterhorn (another favourite spot of ours in Welly) we slept the deep sleep of the completely exhausted in the world's most comfortable bed.
The next morning we had a very long journey ahead of us - seven hours relocating the rest of our belongings that hadn't made it into the removal truck as well as our precious Murphster. So indulging in the breakfast at Hippopotamus watching the sun rise over the city one last time was really the only way to start the day.
There was time for one last selfie with the Museum hotel VW and then we were reluctantly on the road.
Whether you're celebrating a special moment in your life or you just need a night of pampering, you really can't look past the Museum Hotel for an incredible and unique experience, I'd go so far as to say you couldn't find a lovelier night in Wellington.
A big thank you to the Museum Hotel for the complimentary room night and the bottle of bubbly - we couldn't have asked for a more amazing farewell to our glorious city.
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» Night at the Museum Hotel: the most unique and decadent experience in Wellington