New owners plan refresh for hotel (+video)

Don't expect any great changes to Rotorua's oldest, most iconic hotel in the short term, but its new owners say they have exciting plans for the future.

Earlier this week Andrew and David French, who make up Carnmore Holdings - a boutique hotel management company - took over the hotel from its previous owners of 30 years.

"This is very much our style of hotel," Andrew French told the Rotorua Daily Post.

"It's a real classical hotel with a significant history, which is hard to find in New Zealand.

"Brett and Vlasta [Marvelly] have done an amazing job and we admire their dedication to this property. But we hope to give it a refresh. Think of it as a work in progress, we won't be making major refurbishments, but we do have a stage by stage plan for the public areas and hotel rooms."

Mr French said they would make sure the classical feel and design of the hotel would stay the same.

The new owners and managers of Rotorua's iconic Princes Gate Hotel (from left) Andrew French, David French and Phil Agent. Photo / Ben Fraser

"We'd like to think it will last another 100 years," he said.

"And one thing we need to preserve here is the community feel, so we'll be looking to expand on that side of things as well," Mr French said.

He and his father David, who have a long history in the hotel and hospitality business, are based in Christchurch.

They have employed Phil Agent, a former first class cricket umpire, as their general manager.

Mr Agent said he was looking forward to putting down roots in the city.

"I really enjoy Rotorua. It's a lovely place, the people here are amazing. I'm looking forward to embracing the refurbishment and development and getting a really good team around us."

Former owner Brett Marvelly, who handed over the keys on Tuesday, said he and wife Vlasta would take some time out to relax and wished the new owners well.

"It's 30 years of our life and lots has happened in those 30 years. We leave with no regrets and we have done as much as we can there.

"It's got great bones and has been a great home and business for us. We are going to do a few things we have wanted to do and spend some time kicking back a bit," Mr Marvelly said.