Edit Hanmer Springs — Hotel in South Island

Wasn’t going to post this review - because I initially thought it was just a one off experience…..and life teaches you as you get older – to give folk the benefit of the doubt. Now, months later, and reading all the other reviews…I need to vent my experience. Like many others here, it was meant to be a special experience shared as part of an anniversary with my wife. After spotting the place on offer on grabone and remembering myself having a company conference there in about 2010-2012 – I was initially ok with the deal which included a hot pool visit for the 2 of us. Hmmm….let me say the place has changed. From experience (working for Avis many years ago taught me this) I always double or sometimes even triple check prior that the booking is confirmed – not just by email because I prefer to talk to someone at the other end who can type into their PC and confirm to me. That gives me a date, time and name of person who has confirmed. Very helpful if something goes pear shaped. I tried and tried but all I ever got was voice mail. After probably 4-5 ph calls I got a human who explained to me the problem I was having when the GrabOne vhr said I needed to book online ONLY…..but it wasn’t working. They told me that’s ok….they took our details re what days we wanted to book….and said just bring your vchr in when you arrive and we’ll fix it up then. So we show up on said dates, and meet chap at counter, sort of seems to say cant find your booking – I explained last sentence – then after showing a pained face for about 30 secs of typing into the PC here and there – ah ha – here it is. However he had a problem with the room the earlier ph call staff member had put us into – in his words – for GrabOne customers we have different rooms (whatever that means????) End of story we got booked in and got key and told where our room was. Got into the room…..and as it was late summer it was pretty hot outside…and also in the room – to find 2 x budget 40cm pedestal fans as our main source of cooling was indeed a surprise. But anyway we are in the room and once opening the window the temp did drop a few degrees. Time to sit down and relax…but wait what the heck is that banging on the outside entrance wall of our room. Had to investigate – turns out it’s a staff member hammering something to do with the light socket, and replacing a broken bulb. We lived with it for now (interestingly next morning it was dead and not working although most others in the hall were….?) So about now my wife wants to go out and get some fresh air….me…just would like to sit down and watch 15mins of TV, made a coffee (jug looked like it had been 1000 times and not in a good way) but will say there was a reasonable selection of tea/coffees to be had. So I tried to turn TV on…..and as others have experienced – that was a problem….I spent next 10mins tryin’ to get it going…..then gave up and phoned lobby – they were to send a handyman to remedy… He did showup timely and fixed issue…but I overheard him outside unit when leaving “I told them many times not to ship those second hand TVs down here…..” and yes, the TV image was about as washed out as an old photograph left out in the sun…Samsung would not...

Family of four Grabone deal.

2 adults 5 year old 5 month old

We purchased a 2 night Grabone deal for a ‘family studio for a family’ & were allocated Hanmer Hotel’s ‘Family King Studio’. The deal included welcome drinks on arrival, a 2-course a la carte dinner on the first night, continental breakfast for two mornings, day pass to the pools & a late check out of 1pm.

At Hanmer Hotel: -The grounds are lovely & well cared for and the location is excellent. -On-site tennis court and pool available if desired. -Pizza from the restaurant was yum & the continental breakfast was good (front of house breakfast staff were excellent). However… -At check in, we were told we couldn’t dine at all because we hadn’t booked & the restaurant was already full & then would be closed the following night. (After some discussion from us, this was resolved & we were booked in by reception) -When we did dine, the restaurant staff were obviously flustered about being ‘extremely busy’ and were turning people away. As we had a pram we asked if we could sit outside (lovely evening & people sitting outside already) and were told ‘inside only’ as they were too busy. Granted, it was moderately busy at the restaurant but a level of professionalism was certainly lacking since these difficulties were openly discussed at every opportunity throughout our meal. -Welcome drinks on arrival were vouchers for the same on-site restaurant for two drinks only (soft drink or house beer/wine) that I had to ask for. -The small room had a king bed & fold out couch. Room was set up for two on arrival. The couch was not made into a bed, there was no extra bedding left and only two sets of towels etc. Eventually (around 5pm) a lovely staff member came & sorted it for us, after us enquiring at reception. -Rooms are not serviced. We had to ask for extra rubbish bags and towels the following day. There was no communication about this. -The kitchenware consisted of 2 mugs, 2 glasses, 2 wine glasses, two teaspoons, a kettle & tea and coffee. All other cupboards empty. We had to buy paper cups so we could all have a drink at the same time and eat snacks off paper towels. -Attention to detail and overall cleanliness in the unit was average. Basic things like the tissue box on the bathroom vanity was sitting empty. -When we asked about the grabone late check out we were told ‘no’. And then a compromise was made for 12pm.

Overall: There are definitely things to enjoy at Hanmer Hotel. Unfortunately our stay was spoiled by the fact that communication about the grabone deal was lacking between all staff, which meant we had to constantly inquire about the basics & were made to feel like we were being difficult on several occasions. And each time we had to ask, we came to predict that the answer would be a version of “due to staffing we can’t/don’t…” Reception staff massively lacked social skills & organisation. Lastly, the ‘family’ units are not suitable for a family. It would take a lot for...

What happened to the majesty of the lodge.

The beds and rooms are tired. Furniture is dated. And not in a vintage kind of way.

It's just cheep wood grain lamanate. The beds could be described as a fluffy pillow and not mattresses. you just sink into it. And before you ask I'm 6 foot and 95 kg so not someone who tends to be swallowed by a mattress.

And!!!!!!!! the bases have wheels on them. Not ideal for a romantic weekend 😉

The rooms need a restock of cutlery. Considering how famous the region is for wine and cheese there should be at least a chopping board and a cheese knife. And a bottle opener

It's sad considering how majestic the hotel once was it's now not much better than a generic motel.

Windows had years of cobwebs on them. And it's only 2 story get a long handled broom for God's sake.

In saying that It's a beautiful building and the grounds are stunning the Gardiner needs a pay rise

Also the system at the front desk needs a review. as with 6 couples wanting to check in the entire process fell apart.

The dining room is a beautiful example of architecture of the day.

But the continental breakfast feels lazy. At least have a chef with a hot plate cooking eggs to order. It costs nothing and if they are just standing around in the kitchen anyway waiting for a cooked breakfast order why not set them up with a station in the dining room. It would add some class to the event. And not have me think" why did i pay $15 for some dry toast and fruit drink."

Her rid of the brat pans they have always been a horrible idea designed to cater for large numbers of guests. You don't have large numbers of guests using your breakfast service.

Look if you can get a cheap room rate it's worth staying just for the location

but they could do so much better. Massage, beautician, hair dresser. Dry cleaning. Wine and cheese platters delivered to your room. Work out a deal with the pools for a discount rate. I don't know just do something.

Hell they may even offer these but you...