Chateau Tongariro Hotel To Close

 It iswith regret that the Chateau Tongariro Hotel management announces the property’s permanent closure effective Sunday, 5 February 2023.

The hotel has been in consultation with the Department of Conservation (DoC) regarding the renewal of its 30-yearlease, which expired in April 2020.

As part of the hotel’s due diligence in preparing to renew the lease, it proactively engaged third party specialists to conduct detailedsite and seismic assessments as part of plans to extensively renovate the Chateau building and surroundinginfrastructure.

Unfortunately, and unexpectedly, the most recent seismic assessment found that underground shifts over time have meant someof the hotel infrastructure no longer meets current safety standards.

To ensure thesafety of everyone at the hotel the decision was made to close the property.

This decision has also been influenced by other factors including the significant cost of ensuring long term site safety from seismic risk, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) falling into voluntary administration and related uncertainty over the future of the ski resort upon which the Chateau Tongariro Hotel depends, and off the back of recent poor snow season conditions and pandemic restrictions.

Senior Vice-President Commercial of the Chateau Tongariro Hotel's parent company, KevinPeerissaid, “This is a very sad day for our hotel family.BayviewInternational Hotels and Resorts has destinations in Asia, Australia and New Zealand and without a doubt Chateau Tongariro Hotel is a flagship hotel and has been aniconic destination for international and local visitors.

“Surrounded by the Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro, and its history in Aotearoa New Zealand,it isdisappointing for our hotel communitythat the Chateau Tongariro Hotel chapter will come to an end in February, despite initial plans to invest in its long-term future.

“The hotel has been given 25 years with the possibility of an extension of another 10 years to undertake rectification works, however the cost involved in these works, combined with other external factors such as the voluntary administration of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts and the poor snow season, and rebounding tourist numbers from the pandemic means continuing operations is not financially viable.

“Our attention is now focused on ensuring a smooth transition for our guests, staff and partners, and we are committed to supporting them through the closure.”

Discussions are currently underway with the Department of Conservation regardingthe handover of the property.

Thirty-six Chateau Tongariro Hotel staff directly impacted by the closure are being supported during the transition.

Owners of the Chateau Tongariro Hotel and its sister hotel, Wairakei Resort Taupo, have confirmedthey willcontinue investing in New Zealand, and the Wairakei Resort Taupo and its staffare notimpacted bythe Chateau Tongariro Hotel closure.

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