N.Z. HOTELS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1929, Page 2

N.Z. HOTELS

MERITS AND SHORTCOMINGS. In New Zealand, having regard to our present population and tourist traffic, our hotels reach a remarkably high standard, certainly higher on the average than the hotels outside of London, said Mr J. W. Mawson, Director ol Tow’ll Planning, at Rotorua. “ They are clean, comfortable, and the cooking is plain but wholesome, but the service is woefully lacking.” “I am just completing a tour of the North and South Islands, and within the last six'weeks must have stayed in over forty hotels,” Mr Mawson said. “ With very few exceptions, I was ol>-, liged to carry my own hags up to my room and down again. In two eases only there was running water in my bedroom, and I had to stand in a queue for my hath in the morning, and collect my own shaving water. The furniture is solid, but primitive and lacks comfort. The less .1 say about tlie interior decorations, particularly tlie design of carpets and wallpapers, the better. The meals are at fixed, and sometimes, inconvenient hours, and one must either take them then or go without. Fresh air and sunshine are apparently at a premium, for the windows are invariably kept closed and tlie blinds drawn down. Many times I have taken meals in broad daylight, w’itli tho dining-room blinds down, and tlie electric lights turned on. If 1 want any special service in my bedroom* it is mighty difficult to gel. Alter about 7 p.m. one can ring the ,bell all niglit and nothing happens.

“Whnt have you to oiler your visitors during wet weather, or alter cl in - nor in the evening? What haVe you to ofler your visitors who do not wish to indulge in sport or physical recreation? I do not want to hurt, anybody’s Feelings, hut I do not think I am overstating it when I say that to all practical purposes you have nothing to oiler ; that when a visitor has had his dinner, probably at an unseasonable hour, lie lias the choice oF taking a walk, visiting ifriends in the town, sitting in the lounge oF his hotel (il lie is lucky he may get a game of bridge), nr ol going to bed,

“In iill the loading Continental and American resorts you will find something for everyone to do in all weathers and at every hour of the day and night. .Music, concerts, and dancing are provided in all the iirst-class hotels as a matter of course. II you wish t go out. you have the choice of opera, theatre, conjcei'ts, cinemas, cabarets, dancing, and perhaps greyhound or dirt-track, racing ,and abundant facilities for games and social intercourse. If you got hungry or thirsty you have no difficulty in getting something to eat or drink. You go to hod when you like, you got up when you like. Aon are entirely your own master. Everything is organised to cater for your smallest whim, and provided you can cay for it. you can gratify that whun. You are free from conventions, rules and regulations; ifor the time being, at least, the world is yours. Aon have only to ruh your Aladdin’s lump and to ask for anything you desire. I his is what the Americans, and indeed wealthy tourists of all nations demand and this what they are always willing to pay for.”