CHLOE JOHNSON HOLIDAY-MAKERS planning their Easter weekend in Hawke's Bay need not worry about whether they will have a roof over their heads. Reports last month indicated Napier, Hastings and Central Hawke's Bay motels were fully booked during the long weekend, March 21 to 24, due to a surge of popularevents such as the Jack Johnson concert and the New Zealand versus England cricket test. However, Hastings Motel Association Secretary Julie Wakefield said that report was "false" and moteliers were frustrated at the "rumour" as holiday-makers were bypassing motels and looking elsewhere. "We aren't booked out during Easter," Ms Wakefield, owner of 806 Motor Lodge, said. "We still have four rooms left for Easter weekend, and two rooms for the Friday night only." Although she said most motels around Hastings and Waipukurau were "chocka" for the concert, there were still a few beds available. President of Napier Motel Association Jillian Griffen said Napier was fully booked for the mission concert, but there were rooms available at several motels over Easter. "I believe it was fully booked by a lot of overseas people for the cricket, but it isn't now as some have cancelled," Mrs Griffen said. Ms Wakefield said the "full house" buzz had spread overseas to the English cricket supporters. "One guy who was coming for the cricket contacted the national motel association from the UK concerned there was no accommodation." Yesterday, seven motels in Hawke's Bay had accommodation available for two nights during the Easter weekend, while 10 motels had rooms available for three nights.
