Hotel

An old building just outside of Ahaura, which is about 30 minutes from Greymouth.I would say that at some point or another many years ago it probably was a hotel but not anymore, it looks like it is privately owned.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.

Ikamatua Hotel

We were sight seeing a couple of weeks ago and stopped at a petrol station to fill up my son's car. Next door was this establishment named the Ikamatua Hotel. Also a pub they apparently offer accommodation to travellers. In just about every town here there is either a historical or new pub.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.

Blackball Hilton Hotel

Just out of Greymouth is the tiny town of Blackball where there are houses scattered here and there along the main street including one that has it's front fence covered in conspiracy theory signs but this historic building is the local hotel - the Blackball Hilton is famous for it's dispute with being the place that the Labour Party was formed over a pint of beer. The town had the longest running miner's strike which happened in 1913.  

Linking up with Through my lens, Travel Tuesday, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday

The Kauri Ohaeawai Hotel

2 days ago I drove through to Kaikohe and stopped in at Ohaeawai, about 20 minutes away from us. Luckily I was able to dodge the rain and hail to take a few photos around the area.

Built in 1895 the Ohaeawai (also known as Taiamai) Hotel was originally made of Kauri and is situated on the corner of the main state highway 12 and state highway 1. It has 2 bars, one currently being run as a cafe, a gaming room, large dining room, commercial kitchen, cool store, cellar and office.  It is on the Heritage NZ list as a category 2 building and the land plus building is up for sale at the moment.

I would imagine a hotel like this in a small town, like many others would find it hard to do a regular trade and if it were me I would run it as a hotel and backpackers for tourists. What would you do with it?

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Devonport's Esplanade Hotel

In the early 1990s I worked here in Devonport on Auckland's North Shore for a couple of lawyers. In those days the town was even busier than it is now. After nearly 25 years we visited the town again so I should show the other half. The Esplanade hotel in the foreground was built around 1900/1901 by a builder named Archibald Grandison and because it overlooks the harbour it quickly became a popular summer seaside resort back in those days. Over the years it's become a place where bands played and workers enjoy a cold drink after work.

Devonport is filled with old Victorian wooden villas and historic buildings, as you can see in the photo. These days it's still a busy place and the buildings are filled with unique shops and businesses. The day we were here the rain gave us a brief reprieve so I was able to capture some blue sky but it didn't last for long.

Linking up with My corner of the world

The old Hikurangi Hotel

Last time we passed through Hikurangi I made a point of stopping outside the local historical hotel.  This baby is just outside Whangarei and is also known as "The Hika" and was established around 1882.

In 1862 about 12,000 acres of land was purchased for the Crown whose interest in the land was because of forests of totara, kauri, rimu etc on it's land. Transport roads were opened and the road to Whangarei in 1875 led to the start of the timber industry.

The hotel was built around this time when thirsty workers needed rest, food and lodgings. It's built from timber and has sash windows and originally there were other buildings also on the property such as a butcher's stop and stables. These days the hotel is privately owned and the only access that people have inside is in the public bar and bottle store.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Golden Cross Hotel Waihi 1899

The Golden Cross Hotel in Waihi pretty much gives it's information away with it's name. Waihi located in the Hauraki District of NZ is made up of a rich gold mining history and was named as the "Golden Cross Mining" region.

This is a 2 story wooden building with an iron roof but the outside has been clad in brick and concrete. It was built in 1899, has 17 rooms and a dining room. It was originally placed in Waitekauri but was later moved to Waihi. Firstly used as a hotel it is now popular with backpackers.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

The Duke of Marlborough Hotel Est 1827

This stunning place has quite a history. This morning we took a trip out to nearby Russell and after exploring the town we decided to have lunch here at the Duke of Marlborough Hotel. This is the back of the building situated along the main road near the shops.

This is the front entrance of the hotel and it faces the waterfront named "The Strand". The sign outside says "Refreshing rascals and reprobates since 1827". 

According to the hotel's website the information on here says: It began it's life as Johnny Johnston's Grog Shop (liquor store). The owner Johnny was an ex convict who turned his life around and learned the local Maori language. The interior at first glance looks extremely well maintained but I'm thinking under that 1970's carpet that I recognize as being similar to what my mother had when I was a child probably has polished Kauri floorboards underneath.

Anyway the friendship between Johnny and the Maori people lead to him being able to purchase the freehold site of the hotel which was one of the first land sales to a European in NZ.

Back then in the 1830's Russell was named Kororareka and was the largest whaling port in the Southern Hemisphere. Johnny changed the name of of the hotel to the Duke of Marlborough and his first alcohol licence still hangs up in the bar today.

The first hotel burned down during the battle of Kororareka in 1845 and was rebuilt . From 1878 to 1923 the hotel changed hands 8 times. Between 1923 and 1974 it was owned by Hancock Hotels (aka Lion Breweries). In 1931 the second building again caught fire and burned down then a third building was built in 1875 and housed the telegraph workers at Cable bay but was shipped down the coast and dragged into place by steam traction engine in 1932.

After this the hotel again changed hands 5 times and is currently owned by 4 owners who have restored it beautifully. It's now being used as a restaurant/bar and a wedding venue. Today I ordered a Yellowfin Tuna dish, and as you can see above it looks and was delicious.

With a view like this I'm not surprised the hotel and town is a very popular tourist destination.