HOTELS IN CITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22695, 6 April 1937, Page 10

HOTELS IN CITY

VISITORS' CRITICISM LACK OF FACILITIES BAD IMPRESSION CREATED Much criticism of the hotel accommodation in Auckland has been made by overseas visitors to tho city during tho past summer, according to officials of tourist and shipping companies. When discussing the 1936-37 tourist season yesterday they stated that visitors had warmly praised the scenery and other attractions of the country and had expressed appreciation of tho many courtesies received from the residents. However, thoy had been disappointed in the hotel facilities offered in Auckland and compared them unfavourably with those of southern centres. Many tourists were wealthy people and were prepared to pay large sums for the first-class accommodation they desired, it was stated. In a city tho size of Auckland they expected not only bedrooms, but also such facilities as private bathrooms, and many had been annoyed when their wishes could not be met. There also had been numerous instances where visitors of this typo had even been unable to secure any accommodation in the better-class hotels and had had to be content with rooms in boarding houses. Another Cause of Complaint Another common complaint was that many visitors had ordered accommodation in advance, but on their arrival in Auckland had found that they could not secure the hotel rooms allotted to them because someone else remained in occupation. Further, when they did secure rooms, they were Often asked to vacate them before they desired to do so in order that other visitors might bo accommodated. " Several visitors have told me that after staying one night in an hotel in Auckland they would have left tho country the next day had thero been a suitable boat," said one man. They had been given a bad impression of tho country at the start and even tho many scenic attractions of tho Dominion might not have erased that impression. Fortunately, they had found mora suitable accommodation in southern centres. Cost of Improvements The arrival of overseas liners, particularly, taxed Auckland accommodation, it was stated. During tho past summer, however, the problem had been a difficult one for weeks at a time, especially when the Science and Medical Congresses were being held. It was difficult to imagine what would have happ'ened if, at those times, the Matson company's service had not been suspended and the hundreds of Americans who had booked passages had arrived. In one quarter, however, it was pointed out that the hotels had rarely experienced such a busy summer as tho last, and it was therefore a little unfair to criticise. Undoubtedly there was scope for improvement in Auckland hotels, although if a comparison was made with 10 years ago it would be found that much had already been done. If that improvement could be expedited it would be all to the good, but it was to be* remembered that alterations and additions to large hotels Were expensive undertakings.