New look and cosy feel for hotel at Ohingaiti

Ohingatai Royal Hotel owners Annie Brooks and David D'Lacy on the new deck outside their hotel cafe. PHOTO/ LIN FERGUSON

Ohingaiti Royal Hotel owners Annie Brooks and David D'Lacy have decided that running an old-style pub in this day and age is a waste of time.

With stricter alcohol laws and drink-driving an absolute no-no they have dealt to the layout of their hotel. They've shortened the bar and put in a cafe/restaurant called Wild Fern, though they will still provide accommodation for 16 people.

Their business now means groups come in for dinner and have a great night with a few drinks, karaoke if they want, the jukebox and dancing, with no worries about their drinking. To keep people safe, the couple run a courtesy van and will even go as far as Taihape.

Sports and community groups from all over the north Rangitikei make use of the facilities.

As well as the new cafe they have put a large wooden deck across the front with tables and chairs which are lit up at night.

"Customers are really enjoying the outdoor deck, even though the highway goes straight past us now that they have taken off that corner."

Keen golfing groups from all over New Zealand frequently book in for the weekend and go off to the Rangatira Golf Club up the road, they said.

Because there is a lot of land at the back of the hotel they now run a mobile home park as well.