TRAVEL

Hotel bliss!

There’s no doubting Kiwis are exploring their own country. When HELEN PERRY visited New Plymouth early in January, she met scores of fellow travellers from across New Zealand and that was before stepping beyond the doors of the Plymouth International where she stayed for five nights.

Its name might include the word, ‘International’ but during my stay at one of New Plymouth’s prominent hotels, the gathering of ‘nationals’ was impressive, at least while I was there.

And, what a friendly bunch they were. Many folk were there to attend the Colgate Games – a North Island athletics meet for youngsters aged 7-14 years – but not all.

Others had come specifically to view Pukekura Park’s annual Festival of Lights which we saw last year and counted as a not to be missed experience and some were there just to explore the region, including its many walking tracks, parks and reserves.

While I don’t intend to again cover places we visited 13 months ago I do want to commend the Plymouth International as a wonderful vacation venue. I last spent a night here some 10 years ago when it was still under the Quality Hotels banner but no longer. At that initial visit the hotel was already famous for its French-style Orangery Restaurant and flambé dishes. We indulged in the crepes suzette, served by Tony whose skill and professionalism was evidence of a long hospitality career. I had hoped to meet with him again this trip but, sadly, he had retired just a few weeks prior.

However, that didn’t stop us from ordering two flambé dishes – the steak Dianne (butterfly cut eye fillet, pan-fried with mushrooms, peppers, garlic and onions) and, of course, a repeat of those wonderful crepes, this time expertly prepared and flambéed at our table by Chelsea. I think the delicious main and dessert went a long way to adding to the extra kilos I gained while on holiday! charmed us, we were also extremely taken with the bar/ lounge and adjacent resort-style outdoor area with umbrellas, loungers, heated swimming pool (perfect!) and spa.

Management warmly permitted our grandsons to visit each day for a swim which received a big thumbs up from us and their parents. Even man about the house couldn’t resist a dip or three! On the other hand, I was content to laze nearby with a cocktail in one hand and a book in the other.

If the public facilities impressed so did our room – very spacious, indeed, although the shower room could have been bigger – dressing in there was a tad tight. Nevertheless, it was top marks for bedroom lighting. I’ve spent many a night in hotels where the lighting, especially for reading, has been poor; this was excellent. We also appreciated the abundance of off-street parking, handy location, the can-do attitude of staff and a kitchen which consistently turned out good food. The dinner menu was diverse although the hot breakfast, tasty as it was, seemed a little light on some items – no cold cuts and no yummy French pastries!

But those were minor matters. We certainly never went hungry and also appreciated we could dine at a nearby sister location (with a very different dinner menu) and charge those meals back to our room.

Ultimately, when our five days were up all I could say was, we have become devotees of this hotel and happy to return there at any time. Indoors and out, it pleased us no end so, perhaps its moniker should really be The Best Exotic Plymouth International Hotel in New Zealand!