GRAND HOTEL, ROTORUA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1, 6 January 1906, Page 24

GRAND HOTEL, ROTORUA.

On the site of the old Grand Hotel, at Rotorua, which was burned down last year, a magnificent new hotel has been erected by- Messrs L. D. Nathan and Co. and Messrs Hancock and Co. It is said to be one of the most up-to-date hotels in the colony. Prior to the opening ceremony, which took the form of an elaborate dinner last Saturday week, a large number of the rooms had been already engaged. Mrs E. Robertson, a wonderful old lady, 81 years of age. and the oldest resident in Rotorua, in declaring the hotel opened, expressed herself delighted in having lived to see such a beautiful building erected. She said that fine as the previous edifice had been, the present buildings was superior in many respects, and was a credit to the hotel proprietary-, architects, builders, and furnishers. At the conclusion of her speech Mrs Roliertson presented Miss May Seddon with a beautiful shower bouquet, after which Miss May Seddoa-signed her name first in the visitors’ book. Among those present at the ceremony were Mrs L. D. Nathan, Miss Roie Nathan, Mr David Nathan, and Mr E. Davis.

The hotel contains about 70 rooms, of which about 40 are bedrooms. In addition to a large square entrance lounge, there are well arranged commercial, reading, smoking, and club rooms, ladies’ drawing-room, etc., and an extensive dining-room, measuring about 40ft by 04ft, with accommodation to seat 120 people comfortably. The hotel is lighted throughout by electricity, which is installed on the very latest principles. Mr J. Currie, of Auckland, has been the architect for the new building, Messrs Lye and Sons the,builders, Mr Salinger was the contractor for the electric lighting, and Messrs MeLeod and Green for Ihe plumbing. The handsome furnishing most mostly done by the D.S.C. and Tonson Garlick Company. The popular licensee, Mr MeMath, remains in charge, with Mr Winter, lately from the Royal Hotel, at Auckland, as manager. Rotorua residents may well be proud in the possession of such a fine hotel and such splendid accommodation for tourists.