Trust Hotel lives up to its potential

Press, 28 October 1981, Page 18

Trust Hotel lives up to its potential

Set in the heart of a fastgrowing shopping and industrial area, the Hornby Trust Hotel could hardly fail to succeed, and in the hands of the general manager, Mr B. J: (Bert) Mackie, and his

wife, Edith, whose all-round activities could best be described as Girl Friday, the hotel certainly has lived up to its potential. Held in trust by the people, of Hornby, the hotel is unique in the Christchurch area. It is only 10 minutes from Christchurch International Airport, almost on State Highway One, and on the fringe of city bustle. Well placed at the start of the northern by-pass, the hotel makes an ideal stopping point for a drink, a meal or a bed for the night. Five minutes’ easy driving also takes' you to two of the biggest names in New Zealand racing — Riccarton and Addington raceways. • The hotel’s eating facilities, bars and lounges go by an . interesting assortment of names: Oaklands Restaurant, ToWer Lounge, Winfield Bar, Branston Lounge, Garden Bar and Pioneer Bar. •Edith Mackie proudly points ..out that the Trust Hotel’s' conference facilities can-cope with 250 people in the' Tower Lounge and a seating capacity of 200 in the dining room. The Tower Lounge offers space and comfort on soft, upholstered seats. A bar at

each end and a central dance floor ensure the success of any function. You can hear the hotel’s regular entertainers or bring in your own by arrangement. Snacks and suppers' can be brought in when required. The Trust has 20 wellappointed bedrooms, accommodating 34 people, and including 12 with private facilities. The comfortable guest lounge invites patrons to relax, talk to fellow guests or management, or watch colour television. Edith explains that the staff fluctuates on a seasonal basis from 54 to 62. The dining, room also has' proved successful, and is usually booked out on Friday and Saturday evenings , for the dine-and-dance. Sunday is “family night," with music and a smorgasbord.