So Freyberg has a spa, a sauna and a steamroom for $4.80ea but there are deals if you want a swim too, check out the prices board above the counter as you go in. Excellent spa facilities, always clean and they play some chill out pop music so you can relax to some sounds when you're having a soak! My favourite hotpools in town.

Amazing theatre with talented casts and a range of prices including under-35s ticket deals (not to be missed). I've seen a few shows here over the past few years and all of them have knocked my socks off. Most recently "Tribes" which chronicled a young man's experiences with deafness and his dysfunctional (or were they hyper-functional?) family. A real treat. There's a restaurant attached to Circa for your pre-show dinner - and of course, drinks and ice-creams at interval time.

Chill out before your movie and grab a delicious ice-cream - no end of flavours, cool staff in funky hats who like to chat and lots of seating beside the cabinets. Delish!

Upmarket women’s clothing - perfect if you’ve got a special event coming up like a birthday or if you need smart work clothes or a new cocktail frock. Fashionable, affordable, and a nice, modern store. Sign up to the club for deals and grab a bargain in the regular sales.

Always a chilled vibe and delicious, freshly prepared food - both in the cabinet and to order. Perfect place for a casual brunch with friends, a quick coffee or a late night stop in.

Upmarket fashion for guys and girls. Here you’ll find denim, street wear and the best international brands. My favourite is the huge selection of top local brand Huffer. Treat your beau to a piece from Area 51 as an I love you he won’t forget.

Colourful, sumptuous window displays tempting you instore, where quality, affordable womenswear awaits. Always fashionable, a range of sizes to suit most needs, and regular sales. A must visit if you’re after wardrobe staples or a new frock.

Funky guys’ casualwear. If I’m shopping for a guy, I always go to Hallensteins Cuba for great guys’ staples like T-shirts and jeans. Treat your boyfriend to some new threads. Great colours, accessories, and the stuff lasts. Highly recommended.

Can’t be beaten for top quality surf and skate clothing. The latest styles and designs - including a huge range of cool casual shoes - and they’ve often got deals and sales so keep an eye out.

One of my fav stores for outdoorsy casualwear in Wellington. I’ve got some great deals here and I’m a member of their club for news and discounts. Sign up to the e-newsletter for all the latest info on products and sales. Great service, friendly staff - and top quality clothing and tramping gear in funky colours.

Amazing theatre with talented casts and a range of prices including under-35s ticket deals (not to be missed). I've seen a few shows here over the past few years and all of them have knocked my socks off. Most recently "Tribes" which chronicled a young man's experiences with deafness and his dysfunctional (or were they hyper-functional?) family. A real treat. There's a restaurant attached to Circa for your pre-show dinner - and of course, drinks and ice-creams at interval time.

Listed as one of the world's top art hotels, Museum Hotel is conveniently located opposite the waterfront, a stone's throw from Te Papa - a great spot for visitors to Wellington to stay to get a feast of world art in an intercity wonderland. Right next to the weekend waterfront markets if you want to pick up some tasty fruit and veg during your stay. The hotel also has a 'VIP for a night' service as well as specials and deals. Check out the easy-to-negotiate website www.museumhotel.co.nz.

So convenient to have the downstairs café in the museum itself so you don't have to cross lanes of traffic to get to Courtenay Place for lunch. Lots of fresh, delicious cabinet food and lots for the kids (fries as a treat!). Sunny and spacious. Recommended.

These guys know how to show you a good time. Always excellent shows and a great night out - I’ve seen burlesque here, phenomenal, and I’m seeing Amanda Palmer in September, can’t wait! It’s a fun vibe, there are drinks and food specials including pizza and bar snacks - and they even have a coat check! Great spot.

Newly renovated with the biggest, most beautiful screen in the city and now two smaller theatres downstairs. Just caught a documentary about Antarctica here as part of the film festival and it was stunning on the big screen. Helpful ushers, a well-stocked candy bar, the new lounge bar downstairs and art-deco bathrooms. Can’t be missed.

Kiwiana, books, calendars and art pieces in a beautifully laid out store with friendly, helpful staff. Everything about this store is easy on the eye and you'll walk out with a gift to treasure, for yourself, a guest or a friend.

I'm a Farmers Club member and I collect points on a nifty wallet card - every $10 you spend = 1 point and at 200 points you get a $20 reward card. Your club card also gives you discounts in the regular Farmers sales (you can sign up for the newsletter to be sent to you at home, which is what I've done). Today I got a MaXFactor colour correcting cream (like a tinted moisturiser) for $20 with my club card (good deal, right?). Farmers is also good for homeware, clothes and underwear and I even bought a new bed there last year which was good quality but didn't break the bank. If you're looking for something, chances are Farmers has it.

Got to be one of the best bookshops in Welly! My favourite are the launches they have for fantastic New Zealand literature - most recently, the launch for Eleanor Catton’s "The Luminaries", short-listed for the Man Booker Prize. I’ve also seen Jan Wagner speak here, a showcase of exciting new poetry. The travel section is also excellent. A great place to pick up a gift for to impress.

Funky guys’ casualwear. If I’m shopping for a guy, I always go to Hallensteins Cuba for great guys’ staples like T-shirts and jeans. Treat your boyfriend to some new threads. Great colours, accessories, and the stuff lasts. Highly recommended.

Upmarket fashion for guys and girls. Here you’ll find denim, street wear and the best international brands. My favourite is the huge selection of top local brand Huffer. Treat your beau to a piece from Area 51 as an I love you he won’t forget.

A hip establishment for the arty, the creative, and those who just want to have a good boogie. Open late with exciting, up and coming bands. Don’t miss the quiz night.

If you’re after excellent tunes and a great night of head-banging, Bodega’s your go-to. I reckon it’s a great place for rock acts. Chilled out, relaxed - and they take care of you with excellent service and staff who look out for you. Fun times to be had at Bodega for sure.

Another fantastic Wellington bookstore. It’s a beautifully laid-out shop, with the books lining the walls and just waiting for you to pick them up and take them home. Particularly good is the CD collection here, including Goons shows and classical music. I’ve ordered books here before and they always arrive promptly. Just a great store!

These guys know how to show you a good time. Always excellent shows and a great night out - I’ve seen burlesque here, phenomenal, and I’m seeing Amanda Palmer in September, can’t wait! It’s a fun vibe, there are drinks and food specials including pizza and bar snacks - and they even have a coat check! Great spot.

Midnight Espresso do a spectacular hot chocolate and the best fresh counter food in Welly with a huge range of vege/vegan/gluten free options using heaps of fresh veges. Impress a guest to Wellington or bring your friends for a late night coffee stop. Great variety on the menu and funky, friendly staff.

The staff at Warehouse Stationery Wellington really know what they're talking about - and are keen to help you, with a smile as well. I was impressed at the service. The store is also really well laid out and it's easy to find what you're looking for with good signage and excellent stock. They have all your stationery needs covered! I bought DVD-RWs so I could bring in some photos to be printed at the new photo printing machines they've got in the corner - and it's only $40 for 200 6x4'' photos to be printed in your choice of matte or gloss. Great store, check it out.

Whitcoulls Cuba offers friendly staff and good quality stationery and books. They often have stock clearance sales and I picked up a very good quality floral photo album for just $10 (I think that's what you'd call a bargain!). The store is nice and bright and it's easy to find your way around - or if you're looking for something special, ask one of the friendly staff - they're always keen for a chat too.

I'm a Farmers Club member and I collect points on a nifty wallet card - every $10 you spend = 1 point and at 200 points you get a $20 reward card. Your club card also gives you discounts in the regular Farmers sales (you can sign up for the newsletter to be sent to you at home, which is what I've done). Today I got a MaXFactor colour correcting cream (like a tinted moisturiser) for $20 with my club card (good deal, right?). Farmers is also good for homeware, clothes and underwear and I even bought a new bed there last year which was good quality but didn't break the bank. If you're looking for something, chances are Farmers has it.

It may look like any other $2 shop, but this place has a huge variety of stock. If you can think of it, chances are they've got it, or something similar. I've got some super bargains here over the years. Once I needed a pair of aviators for a costume party (I went as a cop!) and I got a pair for about $4 here. Also I bought noise-reducing earphones for my iPod for $5 and they're great, and also photo frames and photo albums, cheap but good quality for the price. Recommended.

Gordon Harris is your one-stop shop for art supplies; they've got a huge range that will suit beginners doing craft projects or art students or professional creative projects for work and home. My favourite is the poster board they have for art lessons/courses/life drawing classes etc that's up just on the right when you go in the door. Whenever I have an arty question, the staff are quick to help and they are clued up on what are the right materials to use. Big store too, lots of stock. I'd recommend it, definitely.