Cotter House closed in 2016.
The fifth-oldest house in Auckland, built between 1847 and 1855 in the leafy Remuera suburb, welcomes travelers of all types. Two guestrooms and two suites blend Regency and Victorian architecture with furniture that trends toward art nouveau and art deco. Hardwood floors and molded windows, alcoves, and fireplaces define the house’s bones, while such antiques as carved Chinese elm chests and black lacquer armchairs fill the rooms. Communal areas include two separate lounges and dining areas, outdoor verandas, a swimming pool, and courtyard gardens punctuated by surprising sculptures.
The property bears much New Zealand influence, from custom upholstery and draping to a vast collection of permanent and rotating artworks—Arthur Amon’s striking Humpback Sushi sculpture swims through the garden despite the whale being dissected like a sushi roll. The Colombian-born, French-raised maître d’hotel Gloria is responsible for curating the art and furnishings and is happy to arrange visits to artist studios as well as informal teas on property. Cotter House is especially lively during the annual September Auckland Heritage Festival; it’s a historic icon that offers a glimpse of the past amid the comforts of the present.