3 December 2007: Accor is to take over the management of
Rotorua�s century-old iconic hotel, Princes Gate Hotel, on 1 January 2008.
Built in 1897, Princes Gate Hotel is one of New Zealand�s finest boutique
hotels, having been beautifully restored to offer a truly authentic and
character-filled accommodation experience.
Owners Brett and Vlasta Marvelly purchased the Hotel in 1986 and are
extremely passionate about the property. When they bought the hotel, they
had one thing in mind: to make the Princes Gate Hotel not only New Zealand�s
finest boutique hotel, but an attraction for locals and tourists alike.
The award winning hotel is one of Rotorua�s most distinctive hotels,
with its Victorian facade, luxurious décor and superb location adjacent
to Rotorua Gardens in the centre of town.
The Princes Gate Hotel
The Hotel was originally built in Waihi in 1897 by Mr E.Morgan. It had
seventy five rooms and was named the �New Central Hotel�. The first proprietors
were Mr and Mrs N.G. Power.
Prohibition
was voted into Waihi in the early 1900�s and despite a recount, Waihi was
voted dry. This came about as an act of defiance to Shorty Buckland, the
then proprietor of the Hotel, increasing the beer prices. Due to this fact
and coupled with a population decline, the Hotel was dismantled piece by
piece, numbered and bullocked to the rail road in 1917. The Hotel�s re-Construction
began in January 1921.
The Hotel was then re-named The �Princes Gate Hotel�. The name became
symbolic of the archway entrance to the Government Gardens which had been
originally built to commemorate the visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall
in 1901. The archway was originally erected across the junction of Fenton
and Hinemoa Streets, and re-erected on its present site in 1920 to commemorate
the visit of the Prince of Wales. The Hotel was used as a hospital during
the first and second world wars.
The present proprietors Brett and Vlasta Marvelly purchased the Hotel
in 1986 with one thing in mind, to make the Princes Gate Hotel not only
New Zealand�s finest Boutique Hotel but an attraction for locals and tourists
alike. |
Klaus Gottschalk, Accor�s Area General Manager for the Central North
Island is based in Rotorua and is excited to have such a well-loved hotel
joining the network.
�Princes Gate is a Rotorua icon and will be a great asset to Accor.
Rotorua is one of New Zealand�s biggest tourist destinations and draws
millions of domestic and international visitors every year. We are also
lucky that the owners of the hotel have a great passion for maintaining
the unique qualities that make this hotel so special.�
While embracing its rich history, Princes Gate does provide all the
modern conveniences to meet guests� needs. The hotel has 34 hotel rooms
and 16 one and two bedroom apartments with full kitchens. In-room features
include Sky TV, tea and coffee making facilities, radio and telephone,
while the sumptuous en suite bathrooms have baths, showers, and a range
of personal toiletries. Hotel facilities include an on-site restaurant
and bar, heated pool, sauna, tennis court and laundry facilities. There
are also two conference rooms and a boardroom available for corporate guests.
Accor, the European leader and a major global group in hotels, the
global leader in services to corporate clients and public institutions,
operates in nearly 100 countries with 170,000 employees. It offers to its
clients over 40 years of expertise in its two core businesses:
- Hotels, with the Sofitel, Pullman, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel,
Ibis, All Seasons, Etap Hotel, Formule 1 and Motel 6 brands, representing
more than 4,000 hotels and nearly 500,000 rooms in 90 countries, as well
as strategically related activities, such as Lenôtre.
- Services, with 23 million people in nearly 40 countries benefiting
from Accor Services products in human resources, marketing services and
expense management. |