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Previously, 2011-2015 owners of Bella's Bed and Breakfast No, 1 Bed & Breakfast in central Auckland. Franklin 38 is a new city fringe Luxury Boutique accommodation having undergone a large renovation transforming the property into your choice of four luxurious suites all with sophisticated character and contemporary architecture materials & furnishings. Relax and put yourself in the hands of caring hosts who are attentive to your needs yet mindful of your privacy, and can assist with advice on the many local attractions & make recommendations and bookings on your behalf.
38 Franklin Road Freemans Bay, Auckland Central, Auckland 1011 New Zealand
Franklin 38
81 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Stop looking! This Is the B & B villa to stay in Auckland! Why? Well it’s a remodeled tropical Victorian villa in Ponsonby on one of the best streets with historic homes in Auckland within walking distance to Sky Tower, Queen St, Auckland fish market and interesting restaurants, cafes, shops and bars in Ponsonby.. Sharon and Doug are the consummate hosts in their remodeled modern Victorian villa and only have 2-4 rooms available which are spacious with modern amenities, generous organic treats and Breville coffee maker! The room is quiet, with high ceilings, peaceful views of trees and Sky Tower with porch, modern tub and shower, crisp cotton sheets and King bed to lull you to sleep after a long flight! Wake up to a delicious breakfast with many choices, fresh fruits, jams, sourdough toast, eggs, bacon, etc. your privacy is honored and you won’t want to leave! We spent 5 peaceful, relaxing nights and would have loved to stay longer! Sharon has an eye for detail in her lovely villa and you won’t regret booking here…..we’ve stayed in B & Bs around the world and this ranks in the top 3 we’ve ever stayed in!
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandra Thomas-Stockwell, Owner at Franklin 38
Responded 5 Nov 2024
Thank you for such complimentary words. We loved having you stay here and enjoyed our long chats at breakfast. Warm Regards Sandra
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Yes, we've seen the other reviews and can only re-iterate the review title used by many before us. Repetitive but worth repeating!
Auckland was the last stop on our Aus/NZ month long adventure and we can think of no better way of closing it off than a stay at Franklin 38. This is a B&B that is located within walking distance to the Central Business District / Harbour (20 min) and walking distance to great restaurants and shops. Our hosts, Sandra and Doug, are the best people that you want to share your travel experiences with.
First of all, the room was spacious and well appointed with a safe, bar fridge and snacks provided by the owner. Our room had its own A/C system that worked perfectly. The room we selected had a great view of the city and also provided access to a wrap-around balcony that, had the weather been a little warmer, we would have enjoyed with a nice glass of wine or beer.
Next, breakfast included a variety of cereals, sliced fruit and juice. Sandra offered eggs / omelets / toast and coffee. As a B&B the added bonus was meeting others from other parts of the world over breakfast to share experiences and travel tips.
While walking distance to the CBD, this location was also close to some great restaurants on Ponsonby. Sandra & Doug provide a visitors information book that details the many restaurants on this strip (our favourite was Prego) with helpful notes for exploring Auckland.
Whether you are just starting out on your adventure, wrapping it up (as we did) or are looking for a NZ getaway to Auckland - we strongly recommend Franklin 38.
You won't be disappointed.
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Date of stay: November 2024
Value
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandra Thomas-Stockwell, Owner at Franklin 38
Responded 24 Nov 2024
Hi Chris The pleasure was all ours to have you stay here at Franklin38. Thank you for sharing your experience and hopefully other guests will choose to stay here rather than a hotel! Our shared breakfast time with other guests from around the world is the highlight! (in my opinion) Have a great Christmas with the family. All the best Sandra
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This is an amazing, luxurious B&B. Sandra and Doug are warm and welcoming hosts, and they have thought of everything for their guests. The house has been renovated with great care, maintaining the beauty of its original time period but with all of the modern updates. The decor and the superior craftmanship are stunning. The rooms are very inviting and immaculately clean. The bed was so cozy and comfortable. The bathroom was luxurious and very well appointed, with a large walk in shower as well as a large, deep soaking tub and heated towel bars too. Coffee and tea and treats are in the guests' individual rooms. The deck outside our room overlooked the city and the sky tower.
Sandra and Doug prepare a delicious breakfast. Sandra makes the best omelets! They offer great advice on restaurants and activities in the area.
The location is perfect, walking distance to all the great cafes, shopping and to the Sky Tower and waterfront.
If we have the chance to visit Auckland again, this is where we will want to stay again.
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Date of stay: October 2024
Value
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Location
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandra Thomas-Stockwell, Owner at Franklin 38
Responded 17 Nov 2024
Thank you so much Sue for taking the time and effort to post a review based on your stay @Franklin38. Doug and I very much appreciate it and it gives us so much pleasure and encouragement to continue with our little B&B. We have put a lot of thought into our property to ensure we meet our guests expectations and sometimes more. Nice to hear to enjoy my omelet Its a bit of a competition between as to who makes the best, although you will only see Doug at the weekends!!! Have a wonderful Christmas and thank you for supporting a smaller local NZ operated business.
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This is a beautiful BnB. The accommodations are immaculate and the breakfast superb. Private rooms and bathrooms that are luxurious for a very reasonable price. It is very suitable for individuals that want a nice quiet place to relax while in Auckland. It is in a great location near Ponsonby road convenient to popular areas and very walkable. Also Uber, Taxis and Bush& Beach tours will pick up at the BnB. But above all: the hosts are great! They are so friendly and welcoming: they make you genuinely feel at home hut with privacy. Sandra is the best hostess I’ve encountered in my travels. Definitely recommend staying here when in Auckland if you want luxury and quiet.
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Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandra Thomas-Stockwell, Owner at Franklin 38
Responded yesterday
Charlotte - you were such a kind and generous guest - you made me smile with your chattiness and humor. I do hope you both had a wonderful time on the cruise after staying here. Thank you for staying with us. Warm Regards Sandra
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This was a stellar, wonderful first experience of our travels to New Zealand. Our hosts Sandra and Doug were personable, helpful and so welcoming of myself and my 4 friends. From recommending what to do our first day in Aukland, to helping to facilitate our travel arrangements, to cooking high quality breakfasts, to sharing where to go to shop and dine … their “hosting” went above and beyond. The accommodations were high quality with great attention to detail and generous offerings in the room of tea, drinks, coffee and snacks. The more I experienced my room surroundings the more I took in the lovely refinement that went into creating the bedroom space. I cannot say enough…highly recommend this quality experience of an Air B&B.
Kendra
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandra Thomas-Stockwell, Owner at Franklin 38
Responded 27 Feb 2024
Thank you so much for taking time to post a review on your experience staying here at Franklin 38. We were privileged to have met such an amazing group of people. Warm Regards Sandra
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A beautifully and tastefully restored town house. Conveniently located to local shops and restaurants and a 15 minute walk to the harbour for the ferry service. Sandra is an excellent host, making us feel at home. She is knowledgeable about the area and gave us some excellent recommendations for places to visit and restaurants and bars with fabulous food and drinks . Our room was spacious and had everything we needed. Sandra served a tasty breakfast, starting with fresh fruit and cereal followed by a choice of hot savoury dishes and toast and preserves. All furnishings, bedding, crockery are of very good quality. I have no hesitation in recommending Franklin 38 and should I visit Auckland again this is where I will stay. Top class.
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandra Thomas-Stockwell, Owner at Franklin 38
Responded yesterday
Thank you Brenda for taking the time and sharing with other future guests your experience staying here at Franklin38. We really appreciate the feedback and its reassuring we are making our guests happy. I hope the rest of your stay in NZ was successful. Warm Regards Sandra
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We stayed in Franklin 38 in our last 2 nights in a 3 weeks tour in NZ. It was the “cherry on top of the pie”. Sandra welcomed us with a smile and spent time taking us around the magnificent old ,recently renovated, house. They have installed a special elevator so no need to deal with steps in the house. The room with the bathroom were spacious and very well designed. A small fridge with drinks is offered free of charge. Breakfast is prepared as per each guest requests. The house is perfectly situated in a Ponsonby with its many restaurants and shops and is within a couple of minutes drive to Auckland attractions. Highly recommended!!!
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandra Thomas-Stockwell, Owner at Franklin 38
Responded 17 May 2023
Thank you very much for taking the time to share with other future guests your experience staying here at Franklin 38. We really appreciate you choosing to stay with us. Warm Regards Sandra
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What a fantastic B&B! Location is perfect, 5 minutes walk from Ponsonby road with shops and restaurants and 8 car minutes from the city center. The villa is beautiful, 4 rooms with everything you can wish for. Car parking on side. Excellent breakfast served by the wonderful hosts Sandra and Doug. They give you tips and are very helpful, if you need a restaurant, a ferry or whatever, they provide you with all the information. If I ever come back to Auckland, this is the place I will book immediately again. Do not look further, this is the best place to stay.
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Date of stay: October 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandra Thomas-Stockwell, Owner at Franklin 38
Responded 5 Nov 2024
Thank you so much Robert for posting a lovely review on your stay here. It was lovely to have met you both and we enjoy helping and giving out helpful tips while here. Warm Regards Sandra
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A beautiful boutique hotel. Sandra and Doug are wonderful welcoming hosts. The attention to detail is exemplary, from the wonderful breakfasts, to the wonderfully decorated and atmospheric common areas, the quality of linen, deep bath and free snacks and Nespresso coffee in the room. It's also very centrally located, in an historic building. I couldn't fault it.
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandra Thomas-Stockwell, Owner at Franklin 38
Responded 1 May 2024
Thank you for leaving a review for us at Franklin38. It is nice to hear that you appreciated and acknowledged what we offer. Doug and I have given a lot of thought in setting up our B&B and always striving to make our guests feel comfortable and enjoy their stay here. It was our pleasure to have met you and appreciate again your review. Warm Regards Sandra
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We chose Franklin 38 because of its location and were delighted with everything at Franklin 38. The owners/hosts Sandra and Doug were very nice and breakfast was perfect. Our room opened onto a balcony with views over the harbour and city, and we were lucky to be there with the xmas lights on all the houses in Franklin road, what a special event. Our bed was really comfortable, and the room was spacious and had a modern feel even though we were in a large two-story grand villa. Everything was very clean.
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandra Thomas-Stockwell, Owner at Franklin 38
Responded 5 Dec 2022
Thank you Terry for sharing your experience staying here at Franklin 38. We really appreciate you taking the time to post a review which helps continue to grow our business. When we rebuilt this old villa it was important to have modern contemporary decor and glad that you noted this. Merry Christmas - Sandra
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"Waiheke Island was nice! Beautiful vineyards & easy to access taxi service to get around. Ferry is about 5 min drive from Franklin38. Need a half day."
There are more places to choose from in the Auckland Central area.
PRICE RANGE
$492 - $616 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandAucklandAuckland Central
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
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