A Journey To The Inner SO/
/“Sometimes it's the little things in life that bring us the most satisfaction. Still, if I'm honest with myself, I love extravagance and luxury more”.
The SO/ Hotel in downtown Auckland exposed me to fabulous far-fetched décor and the luxe lifestyle, however it was in the little things like the Kawa Kawa tea and warm hospitality that struck a note and made for a memorable experience.
To me, SO/Auckland is theatrical and defiant in nature yet pure in the essence of hospitality. With SO much to see and SO much to taste, my SO journey was a fabulous discovery which began the moment the valet picked up my bags and ushered me into the lobby. Inside the jaw-dropping entrance I was cast in an array of soft light and shadow from an elaborate 'mega-chandelier which had me staring at it like a big moth. Dutch design house, Moooi is responsible for the dexterous gathering of light pendants, and their spectacle continued throughout the hotel with iconic décor, all statement pieces for a hotel wanting to make a scene.
Dining in splendour was absolutely on my agenda, and Harbour Society was the platform for it. The ambience was relaxed, beautifully formal and exactly the feel I was looking for, considering we had no children with us and an eagerness to splurge on fine dining and wine! Once set before Russian President Vladimir Putin and now delicately recreated for me, was the sublime signature crayfish dish, created by Michelin-starred Chef Marc de Passorio's. I could see why it is fit for a king, or modern-day Tsar as it were, it was delicate on the palette and candy for the eyes with bursts of colour speckled across the plate. All dishes on the menu were an exposè of New Zealand's finest produce which celebrated the wide variety and calibre of food and wine inhabiting our small part of the world. Feeling quite relaxed in my comfortable chair I sat back and pointed out to my husband the high standard of staff they had, their passion for the cuisine, restaurant and its history was their pride and joy. From the high-class French Chef to the talented wait staff, the theme of excellence unquestionably rung out through every person at Harbour Society, much to our pleasure.
It wasn't your average drab bar, it was sophisticated and sexy – I felt right at home!
Our HI-SO bar experience was a memorable one, the multitude of city slickers was the first panorama to behold. All patrons owning the space had a cocktail in hand and were clearly in high spirits in the electric atmosphere. Bass filled music echoed out to the balcony where the sixteenth-floor views struck me. In true fashion to the playful theme of the SO/, décor up in the Hi-So Bar was anything but ordinary. An avant-garde theme just dripped from the Moooi designed eccentric 'Smoking' chairs and 'Urban Hike' side tables. It wasn't your average drab bar, it was sophisticated and sexy – I felt right at home!
Heading back to our suite, we could tell the hotel's focus was on delivering an unforgettable and comfortable stay. Through the use of deep colours, rich textures and clever use of light, reflection and shade, even our brief walk to our suite left a lingering sense of luxury and that I'd discovered just how upper-class I really was. Inside the suite a lowered wall separated the deep bath and the plump bed, it seemed a natural set up for a starry-eyed evening in my opinion. The wall art in the suite held my attention as it sparked the on-going theme and contemporary flair through the hotel. At first glance it looked like unusual pop-art, however, stepping back it all gathers into a tribute to Auckland's volcanic history. A very expressive and ingenious design by kiwi fashion designers WORLD.
A flossy pink Kawa Kawa, pomegranate and strawberry chilled tea, speckled with cracked pepper and bee pollen held my full attention upon check-in. Named ‘SO Heart’ for the Kawa Kawa leaf resembles a heart shape and holds health benefits for the heart, lungs and liver, this welcome drink was crisp and sweet, one sip was it all it took for me to search out the story behind it and this led me to Som, New Zealand's first Certified Tea Sommelier. Vetida Namprasert is her real birth name and Som is a nickname given to her by her mother and is Thai for "orange", while she was in the womb her mother had cravings for the fruit. I made a point of coming back to the hotel and spending time with Som to discover more about her intriguing story.
“Named ‘SO Heart’ for the Kawa Kawa leaf resembles a heart shape and holds health benefits for the heart, lungs and liver, this welcome drink was crisp and sweet, one sip was it all it took for me to search out the story behind it and this led me to Som, New Zealand’s first Certified Tea Sommelier. ”
On my return visit, I took my seat at MIXO in the lobby, pen in hand and hoping to bring out more from Som. It was clear that I was in the presence of a person whose passion is more than an interest or moonlight hobby but a way of life. Tea to Som is a lifestyle. Every day involves tea. Tea to cure headaches, to soothe VIP guests from arduous journeys, tea to help people rest, tea as a substitute for alcohol, even tea to improve eyesight. Tea for every season, tea for the sweet-toothed and tea in a cocktail. I assure you, I sampled more than a few.
Som's tea journey didn't begin at the SO/ but at age 14. Shifting from Thailand to Invercargill to live with a Maori host family, Som started exploring herbal teas that were in the kitchen cabinet and would routinely brew up a cup and serve it to her host family. Slowly but surely, her tea fascination became her passion, and subsequently, her life's work. Serving tea in Invercargill and studying hospitality at AUT was just the beginning of her journey. She found her way back to Thailand to study more about the art of brewing and blending with the world-renowned Tea Wellbeing Group (TWG) – who happen to have over 1500 haughty and luxurious blends of tea.
Just like the extravagance of the hotel, Som's skills naturally acquire one's attention. To taste something for the first time and have it capture your full attention is one thing, but to watch what appears to be magic unfolding before your eyes in a teacup is almost other worldly. At that moment, I felt slightly let down by the tea in my cupboard at home, in my eye's those dusty tea bags were all the strength I needed in the morning. How fooled was I!
Settled on the barstool, I wasn't ready for the spectacle of the 'Midnight Blue' tea. True to the name it was a deep sapphire blue. My overactive writing hand stopped, raising the cup to my mouth with anticipation I was hit with a sweet and floral savour from a blend of Butterfly Pea Flower, Lavender and Rose, never had I tasted anything quite like it, and I could see Som's amusement at my surprised look.
Som with her knowing smile dropped a slice of lemon into the glass; in a moment, my blue tea transformed into a pinkish and purple elixir. The lesson continued, this tea was all about de-stressing! It supports sleep and can even help heal strained eyes that have had an excess of screen time, who'd have known?
So this is what a tea sommelier does I thought as she continued. I tasted and experienced tea in new exciting ways, from subtle and delicate White Goji and Raspberry tea to a smoke-infused black tea served in a whiskey glass, a vast spectrum of flavours that leave you a little overcome with the artistry in every cup. I may have been a deer in the headlights but Som's enthusiasm to share her craft left an appreciation for something entirely eye-opening from the world of tea.
Reluctant to leave on both occasions, I came away feeling that this is far from a traditionalist's hotel. It is a standout theatrical space which you can't help but comment on. Every aspect of the hotel radiates indulgence and playfulness, but more importantly, the hospitality of the staff amounts to a world-class standard.
Harbour Society, the "Just Say SO" service and of course Som really made you feel at home in that wild environment. My SO/ journey was a tasty one, and somehow, I don't think it's going to be long until the valet is loading my bags back into my favourite suite there one more time. I get the feeling the SO/ has more up its sleeve.'
NicoleToni