our story

early history

The hotel has a long and colourful history. Built as The Commercial Hotel in 1841, it was one of Auckland’s first hotels. It survived two fires, and two rebuilds, before the current building was erected in 1925.

Dominion Breweries acquired the hotel in 1959. After a major renovation it was renamed Hotel DeBrett, and soon established itself as the hotel of choice for sophisticated travellers.

In 1984 new operators Don Fletcher and Maurice Crosby gave it yet another make-over, with an emphasis on the bars and restaurants. Through the mid eighties it was the hippest meeting place for Aucklander’s, with particular appeal to the fashion and media set.

Throughout its history, the House Bar has been the soul of the hotel. If only the walls could talk!

an icon re-imagined

When Michelle Deery & John Courtney bought the building in 2007, the by then defunct backpackers was home to a flock of pigeons. It took almost two years to transform the near ruin into the highly awarded hotel you see today. Michelle worked with a team of architects, designers and artists to create 25 rooms and suites, and at the heart of the hotel, a soaring glass roofed atrium, which now houses Debretts Kitchen.

the next chapter

In 2015 Michelle & John brought their chapter at the hotel to a close. New owners Wayne Tomlinson and Ingrid Jaques sought to build on the hotels success and continue to offer a warm, welcoming environment with exceptional service. Wayne and Ingrid bring many years of hotel and hospitality experience and also operate Solitaire Lodge, a luxury lodge overlooking lake Tarawera in Rotorua.