"THE GRAND" HOTEL

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 11 September 1914, Page 4

"THE GRAND" HOTEL

HELENSVILLE HOT

SPRINGS

THE above large and commodious addition to the rising Hot Springs locality, which has been in course of construction of timber during the past nine months, is now open for the reception of tourists and visitors generally as a health resort, and for those in search of a quiet rest from business worries. Mrs E. Little, the enterprising proprietress, courteously showed, an ECHO representative over the building recently, which, without a doubt, is the largest and best private venture in every way, North of Auckland.

. The edifice comprises two floors with a front verandah to each about 80ft in length and Bft wide, the supports and rails being picked out in white and dark green, while the whole building is painted white. Entering by the large double doors into the spacious halls, we ascend the wide staircase leading to the upper story, where there are no less than 25 double and single bedrooms and sitting rooms for visitors, all appropriately and stylishly furnished in modern designs. The wall-papers are of sanitary, glazed and the newest patterns. There is a lovely view from the balcony, and the bathroom, lavatory, etc., are in close proximity, with a fire-escape of wide steps leading to the rear below.

The ground-floor is also well laid out, and is occupied by a large and spacious dining room some 30ft by 24ft and capable of seating 50 or 60 diners comfortably, is well furnished with a number of tables, chairs, overmantel, pictures, etc;, and also contains small office, with sliding coloured-glass window; adjoining this are the kitchen and carving room, the former fitted up with one •of Stonex and White's latest stoves, with hot water service, and all cooking utensils/ etc., while the latter is appropriately fitted up with sideboards, cupboards, and other furnishings. There are also on this floor the private suite of rooms for the proprietress, and a splendid sitting room for ladies, about 30ft by 20ft, furnished with lounges, and an excellent upholstered drawing-room suite. Further on, besides a number of single and double bedrooms, there is another large and spacious room upholstered in brown leather, and which may be used as a general sitting - readingcommercial room, with fitted-up writing desks, stationery, long table, etc. Most of the floors are covered with linoleum of the choicest patterns, while some of the rooms are laid down in carpet.

The whole of the appointments and the building itself, are in every way up-to-date, and a credit to the proprietress; also to the contractor, Mr John Simcock, and to Mr Jas. McLeod, who is responsible for much of the design.

At the rear of the main building there are the usual conveniences, with large stables, wash-house and laundry, besides store-rooms, fowl-houses, etc., but as the season is rather far advanced before getting rid of the builders much work has yet to be done in the spacious grounds, and some time must elapse before the garden can be got into beauty. In the meantime the plough is at work for the kitchen garden. On the whole, independent of those already given due credit, the district as well as the Hot Springs is to be congratulated on possessing another and welcome addition for the accommodation of one and all, therefore good luck to the Grand Hotel of Helenseille Hot Springs and to Mrs Little for her enterprise,