Spa bath muck bubbles over into argument

By Jenna Dunne
"FEEL stress wash away under massaging jets in your room's deluxe spa bath."
That teaser of Kingsview Resort and Towers' website is exactly what Doreen Jones was looking forward to when she stepped into a spa bath in her room at the hotel.
Instead when she pushed the button to switch on the bubbles, several black objects shot out and began swirling around her. The muck was accompanied by a "stench you would not believe".
She believes the black gunk was some kind of decomposing rodent that had died inside the pipe, is upset at how Kingsview treated her afterwards and has complained to health and city authorities.
Kingsview management spokesman Greg Tippins said it was plumber's hemp and Gib board dust and did not pose a health risk to Mrs Jones, who was creating a "mountain out of a mole hill."
But the city council is not convinced it was building material and plans to launch an investigation.
The incident happened last weekend after Mrs Jones and her husband Tom booked themselves into the luxury $50 million, 11-level resort.
Mrs Jones complained, and Kingsview offered the couple a free night's accommodation, and when this was refused, a refund of one of the two night's of her stay. Rooms at the resort range from $160 to $355 per night.
Mrs Jones said she refused these offers because it was also on condition that she signed a document agreeing that it would be the end of the matter - something which she was not willing to do.
She was also upset by the "blase" attitude of staff who dealt with her complaint.
"We were in business for 10 years in Auckland, and should something like that have happened, you know, you would've virtually gone down on your knees and at least been apologetic."
But Mr Tippins said: "There was no dead animal or anything like that."
"It's definitely not a health issue."
Mr Tippins said the couple were offered another room. Mrs Jones said they were only offered the use of the bathroom facilities in another unit.
Mr Tippins denied there was any smell like that described by Mrs Jones. Kingsview tested all spa baths but must have missed this one, he said.
Both parties have contacted separate authorities for advice.
Toi Te Ora Public Health protection officer Michael Martin, who was approached by Kingsview, said the complex drew water from the Tauranga City supply, which had one of the best gradients available.
He was confident the material was something in the pipe, not something coming from the water system.
Mr Martin had not inspected the spa bath but said he was confident the material was plumber's hemp and gibdust and had not posed a health risk. He had advised Kingsview to "flush every tap, in every room in the entire complex".
But James Jefferson, manager of environmental monitoring at Tauranga City Council, said he was planning a "rigorous investigation" after seeing Mrs Jones' photos.
He was "not satisfied" that it was plumber's hemp and Gib dust.