Naumi Wellington has opened its doors on colourful Cuba Street, placing guests in the heart of the capital city’s arts and culture scene.
The Singapore-based hospitality brand Naumi Hotels has opened its second property in New Zealand’s capital city, as Naumi Wellington opens its doors on Cuba Street. The 62-key hotel is the seventh in Aotearoa from the brand, offering design-led boutique accommodations with stylish guest spaces.
Naumi Wellington provides three dining and drinking areas, which are shared with the neighbouring property, Naumi Studio. Lola Rouge serves Southeast Asian-inspired cuisine created by award-winning executive chef Kiran Ghate; while Lola Rouge Bar is a warmly lit, ambient bar space offering local craft beers, wines, and cocktails. The Parlour is the hotel’s vibrant spot for high tea and cocktails, with high-arched windows and floral assemblages by New Zealand sculptural artist, Judy Darragh, complementing bright green walls.
The hotel’s location on Cuba Street means guests are well-placed to explore the city’s thriving dining scene, with many cafes, restaurants and bars frequented by Wellingtonians within steps of the front door.
“We love the spirit of Wellington—its grit, street art, galleries, cafés, fashion, cocktails and culture. The opening of Naumi Wellington gives guests a brand-new boutique experience in the world’s coolest little capital. I am very excited about this new addition to the Naumi portfolio of hotels where we invite guests to experience the whimsical world of Naumi,” said Gaurang Jhunjhnuwala, Naumi Hotels CEO.
Design notes
Material Creative was tasked with the design concept for the hotel, using a palette throughout that reflects Naumi’s boldly colourful aesthetic. Spacious guestrooms feature tones of lilac, avocado, rust, and turmeric, which contrast with a fluorescent striped carpet and velvet-draped walls. Peanut lighting by Sweden-based Ovature Studios illuminates the bedside tables, which, along with coffee tables and mirrors, were designed by Kiwi start-up, Made of Tomorrow.
“There is a real charm about Naumi hotels, with a brief of no white, we are pushed to use colour in new ways and ensure we create unexpected spaces that bring people together,” said Toni Brandso, Director and Interior Designer at Material Creative.
In addition to the sculptural pieces by Darragh, artwork displayed in the hotel includes a sustainably designed kina (sea urchin), made by local artist Andi Regan from colourfully dyed cable ties.