If walls could talk… Prince’s Gate Hotel
henry’s Erin took a trip back in time to Rotorua’s historic Prince’s Gate Hotel. From its Waihi birthplace to a new life by the lake, the Prince’s Gate Hotel has traveled far and hosted a plenty – miners, soldiers, celebrities – with its story still unfolding today.
The origins of the hotel
In 1897 Waihi was a bustling town filled with gold miners and visitors. Accommodation supply was down, and the New Central Hotel (as it was known back then) was specifically built to meet demand and cater to the masses.
Unfortunately, prohibition closed the hotel’s bar in 1909, and by 1917 the hotel was no longer a buzz with patrons. However, instead of fading into the background, the hotel was dismantled, transported – via railway – and reassembled in Rotorua,a fast-expanding tourist mecca and the perfect spot to reinvent and start over.
In 1921, it was reopened and renamed the Prince’s Gate Hotel – due to its location alongside the wooden arches in front of Government Gardens and the Rotorua Museum.
And the hotel today?
A walk of the halls paints a picture of life the way it used to be, with the boutique hotel playing host to many glamorous events over the years.
But with the Prince’s Gate retaining much of its character, those looking for a touch of yesteryear can still indulge their delights by having dinner in one of the grand banquet rooms, or even say ‘I do’ under a chandelier on the staircase – a ̀ la vintage wedding. It’s an opportunity to feel a part of history, especially when you find out it was used as a hospital during the First and Second World Wars.
Intrigue abounds when venturing further into the hotel, past its individually decorated rooms that bear no resemblance to what we expect from accommodation of the 21st Century. In 1945 it was noted in the newspaper that it had both hot and cold water in every room. You can bet if that wasn’t the case today, there would be stern words to management!
Today, the hotel still stands proud and dependable, as it always has been, with just some tweaks here and there to meet the needs of the modern-day traveller. And with a new owner on board, they want to encourage more of the Rotorua community to be a part of this historical building. Angela Stuart, Events and Marketing Manager, says that Prince’s Gate is not just for guests and tourists, it’s also for locals.
“Even if you live here, you are welcome to come and dine here – drop in anytime for a drink at the Dukes bar, a high tea, or for breakfast, lunch and dinner. People think that just because we are a hotel, they aren’t allowed in, but Prince’s Gate is a part of Rotorua’s history, and we want to share that with everyone, especially locals.”