WERE YOU BORN IN A TENT

Thursday, 28 August 2014

GRAND PACIFIC HOTEL

584-618 Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji

Visited: 10th August 2014

Design: Well it was a nice change to finally get out of the resort and see some of the countryside and the nearby islands. We have been exploring the cultural riches of the island and today made our way down to the capital, Suva. Only to realise that everything was closed and most people were at church. However, in our search for lunch we came across the beautifully restored Grand Pacific Hotel. Built by the Union Steam Ship Company in 1914 for their passengers travelling the Transpacific route, the rooms were made to look identical to the first-class staterooms onboard the cruise ships. Queen Elizabeth II and Charles Kingsford Smith were just some of the guests that have stayed here. This year being the 100 year anniversary, a Government run investment group brought the 'Grand Old Lady' back to life. To see the images of it back in 2010 and earlier of it run down and weather beaten and to see it fully restored to its former glory with contemporary touches throughout was amazing. The whole building screamed,'White British Colonialist' with its pompous grandeur and Titanic interior decor. I always find these buildings beautiful, but find they feel awkward and out of place on Continents or Islands that are outside of the UK. There is a pretentious air that permeates you as you wander the grounds. Apart from that, an amazing job had been done and it felt like it had been built yesterday. The reception door was outstanding with concierge and bell boys dressed like characters from a Wes Anderson film. You are instantly transported to another era once you enter the foyer. I found the white double doors with the French windows, accompanied by the two palms, marine pendant lights and the soft grey walls complemented each other a perfectly. The brass handles were divine on the hands and there was an effortless push on the open.

Door resistance: 2

Closure mechanism: Manual

Draft: Medium

Squeak level: 0

No comments:

Post a Comment

PROFESSIONAL DOOR REVIEWER

Searching the world for the perfect door to eat behind.

First impressions are always important, especially for a restaurant or cafe. So many people are focusing on the food these days that I felt there was a hole in the reviews world. No one was looking at the most important thing, THE DOOR! Everyone complains when it is left open, death stares are exchange when the unsuspecting group of friends having a fun night enter the premises from the cold only to walk straight in and go straight to their table totally oblivious they have left the door wide open to allow an arctic strength gale force wind to cut through the previously warm interior. Like a scene from a western film where everyone in the premises stops what they are doing and cuts down the new comers with a deathly stare. Occasionally you will get the confident diner who gets up, walks across the restaurant and closes the door with a BANG! Just to let the new comers know they have done wrong and to NEVER, EVER DO IT AGAIN!!!!! This individual makes their way back to the table staring at the newcomers, just to make sure they got the message. The only problem is, is that 5 minutes later another group come in and do the same thing and he/she feels obliged to continually do this for the rest of the night.

Well hopefully this blog puts a light on the owners of these establishments and encourages them to lift their game and create doors that allow diners to sit and enjoy their meal, to give the diner an experience before they enter the building. It is also a thank you to the makers of quality doors who care about craftsmanship.

I have developed a scoring system based on,

DESIGN:

This is assessed by the materials the door is made from, whether the door is themed, cluttered or minimal and whether there is an element of surprise or not.

DOOR RESISTANCE: 1 to 5

1 = light push

5 = heavy push

CLOSURE MECHANISM: Manual, automatic or

hydraulic arm

DRAFT: Minimal, medium or high

SQUEAK LEVEL: 0 up to 5

0 = No squeak

5 = Ear piercing

Then the last assessment is the,

CHANGE RETURN TIME:

This is the amount of time it takes to get my change once I have given the waiter the money for the bill. Last impressions are always just as important as first.