Kiwi International Gears Up For Spring

Kiwi International Gears Up For Spring

One of Auckland’s best-known, low cost Queen Street hotels is undergoing a major upgrade to win back tourists lost in recent years.

New owners, Mark and Kathy Sandiford bought the Kiwi International Hotel (formerly known as the Kiwi International Hotel Queen Street) at 411 Queen Street in May this year. They quickly embarked on radical changes to regain the quality and value for money for which the hotel was once known.

“We want to create the style of place where we like to stay when we visit foreign capitals and cities,” says Mark Sandiford. “When you go to a big city anywhere in the world, you want to stay centrally. Those who don’t want to pay the earth still want a nice room with good facilities. That’s what we’re providing.”

He notes a trend worldwide which is seeing travelers move away from the ‘vanilla’, 5-star approach, where every interior looks just like any other. “More travelers are seeking quality for lower cost and a bit more relevance to the country they’re in. They want somewhere welcoming with personality that’s fun, warm and friendly.”

The emphasis at the Kiwi is definitely on quality and value for money. “We’re offering 2-star rates but want to deliver 3-star quality — to under promise and over-deliver. By owning the land and buildings as well, we know we’ll always get our renovation money back.”

The Sandifords have already proved they can make a success of the business, having turned around a smaller hotel / motel operation that had been similarly overlooked by absentee owners. They bought the Kiwi in a receivership sale, explains Mark Sandiford, and as part of a property empire, it was caught in a slow decline. “Tour operators had lost faith in its ability to provide a quality service.

“However,” he adds, “the hotel has many advantages for travelers including a quiet, central location near the CBD’s facilities and motorways. Unlike most Queen Street hotels, it boasts a leafy green outlook over Myers Park and its other sides enjoy open spaces created by undeveloped church carparks. With 119 rooms, it’s also of a size to suit group business with value package deals, with or without meals. Importantly, it comes with good (free) guest parking, something most other Queen Street hotels lack — or charge an arm and a leg for.”

Taking advantage of the lower winter occupancy, a large, uninviting lobby and restaurant area has been cleverly transformed to create more intimate spaces with a concept by Patterson Associates architects and a furnishing makeover by Michele Hunter. As it is winter, a more inviting ambience includes fireplaces in the lobby and restaurant.

The Sandifords aim to have a selection of all room types fully renovated before the tourism season starts in spring. They’re also developing a small business centre with a full service travel desk and an internet café to suit the cost-conscious business person.

In spite of the renovation, no rate increases are anticipated. “We’ve upgraded the quality but our top rooms will still retail for under $100 a night in high season. Anybody would have to agree, that’s excellent value for the central city,” says Mark Sandiford.

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