Five-star hotel boss slams one-star parked cars

A hotel manager has complained to the Queenstown Lakes District Council about people parking cheap cars outside his luxury hotel.

Sofitel general manager Wouter de Graaf was one of 72 parties who made a submission on the council's review of parking controls in Queenstown.

Among other measures, the council proposes reducing the number of free car parks in town and tightening controls on some of the remaining ones. In a written submission, Mr de Graaf says it is very difficult to deliver a five-star luxury experience with public parking at the front of the Duke St hotel.

In particular, many young people park their vehicles outside the hotel while frequenting nearby bars, he says.

"A lot of times the total value of all the cars in front of our door is not more than $1500.

"Not particularly the look that we are after for our high-end paying customers."

It is also of concern that the business and, more importantly, customers, get parking tickets, Mr de Graaf says.

"This is very upsetting for a lot of our national and international customers, because who would expect that at a five-star luxury hotel."

Mr de Graaf was not available for further comment yesterday.

Other people who have submitted on the parking plan are concerned about the availability of parking for workers.

Lake Hayes Estate resident Amanda Bamford believes people would have to park further from the town centre and walk long distances to their cars, sometimes in the dark and cold, if the proposals are ratified.

In particular, she submits, free parks near schools and child care centres should be maintained.

"Life can be difficult enough for working mums and being able to drop the kids where they park for the day is one thing that can just about make it possible."

Beaver Liquor, Bidvest Foodservice and other commercial operators made submissions on the positioning, number and policing of loading zones.

Nineteen parties will make oral submissions on Tuesday to a working party comprising councillors Mel Gazzard, John Mann and Gillian Macleod.

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