Grand Chateau restored to former glory

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 533, 17 May 1994, Page 3

Grand Chateau restored to former glory

A $3 million refit to restore The Grand Chateau at Whakapapa to its former glory is due for completion by the end of the year. The 64-room hotel and adjacent Tavern complex were purchased three years ago by a following a sell-off of assets by the Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation. Since their purchase three years ago the owners (Singaporean/Malaysian company, Kah New Zealand Ltd) iiave set about upgrading the hotel to international standard in keeping with the traditional mid-19th century Georgian architectural design. A $160,000 refit to the lounge area has already been completed with heavy drapes, newly covered traditional sofas and glass chandeliers setting the scene. Work is currently underway on a $700,000 revamp of the 64 rooms. The energy factor has not been forgotten. As a result of an energy audit, secondary windows are being

installed in all guest rooms saving up to $7000 in heating costs. A complete exterior repaint of the building in its original blue, brick and ochre colours is nearing completion. The service and administration block is being relocated to a new wing at the back of the hotel which matches the original building design. A half-million dollar upgrade to the lower ground floor of the facility is due to begin in the next few months. This includes a major upgrade of conference facilities with provision for three conference rooms, a new fitness gym in addition to the existing hot pool and sauna complex, and relocation of the lower ground floor kitchen. A popular move has been relocation of the souvenir shop in the hotel to the historic Laura Fergusson' s cottage opposite the hotel. The cottage was built in 1924 and is the oldest remaining building in the Whakapapa Village.