Comments on: In the Backwoods of Blackball, Not Your Typical Hilton http://away-together.com/2010/01/20/backwoods-of-blackball/ The Smith family of Piedmont, CA, goes round the world. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:49:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Libby http://away-together.com/2010/01/20/backwoods-of-blackball/comment-page-1/#comment-886 Libby Sun, 02 Oct 2011 03:07:33 +0000 http://away-together.com/?p=1528#comment-886 I live in Blackball. I have been here for two years, I moved over from christchurch. Its quite funny to see visitors perspectives of the place. I can assure you that although we have a mixed of locals here, there are also young professionals, creatives, and most of them are all very successful in their chosen field. There is cell phone coverage, and broadband internet. I love living in Blackball, although not sure i could do it without my Mac and wifi keeping me up to date with friends and family :) I live in Blackball. I have been here for two years, I moved over from christchurch. Its quite funny to see visitors perspectives of the place. I can assure you that although we have a mixed of locals here, there are also young professionals, creatives, and most of them are all very successful in their chosen field. There is cell phone coverage, and broadband internet. I love living in Blackball, although not sure i could do it without my Mac and wifi keeping me up to date with friends and family :)

]]> By: Michael S. http://away-together.com/2010/01/20/backwoods-of-blackball/comment-page-1/#comment-795 Michael S. Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:29:34 +0000 http://away-together.com/?p=1528#comment-795 I stayed at the Blackball Hilton in 1986--when it was not "Formerly". A young Kiwi couple were the only other guests the nights I was there; I remember it well and fondly---from the hike along the old mining trails when the young couple were walking up as I was waling down--the female had removed her top, thinking no one else would be on the trail--to the Moari shearer I helped catch a sheep which had not been shorn in a year or more, but my entire 5 months in NZ were filled with fond memories. I stayed at the Blackball Hilton in 1986–when it was not “Formerly”. A young Kiwi couple were the only other guests the nights I was there; I remember it well and fondly—from the hike along the old mining trails when the young couple were walking up as I was waling down–the female had removed her top, thinking no one else would be on the trail–to the Moari shearer I helped catch a sheep which had not been shorn in a year or more, but my entire 5 months in NZ were filled with fond memories.

]]> By: Ray Spring http://away-together.com/2010/01/20/backwoods-of-blackball/comment-page-1/#comment-641 Ray Spring Thu, 17 Jun 2010 08:04:18 +0000 http://away-together.com/?p=1528#comment-641 You have stayed at one of the wonderful old pubs of NZ. An historic experience, with good food and great company. What more could you want. It was New Zealand. As we were only 60 years ago. You have stayed at one of the wonderful old pubs of NZ. An historic experience, with good food and great company. What more could you want. It was New Zealand. As we were only 60 years ago.

]]> By: Sarah http://away-together.com/2010/01/20/backwoods-of-blackball/comment-page-1/#comment-567 Sarah Mon, 31 May 2010 05:36:25 +0000 http://away-together.com/?p=1528#comment-567 Hello Katrina - thank you for your feedback, and I'm sorry you took my blog post to be such a negative assessment on the Blackball Hilton. On the contrary, I tried to portray it as a historically fascinating place, and we were grateful for the experience to stay there. The joke is that it is the antithesis of a real Hilton, and the joke was on me :-). As mentioned in the post, the owners were very friendly and their food is terrific. (We thanked them profusely in person for watching the kids that morning.) But there's no denying it is a rough and dusty place with very worn furnishings and bedding, adorned with odd and fanciful art (as the quotes from the two other Trip Advisor reviews support). Going there and running the Croesus Crossing event was one of the highlights of our South Island tour; I loved the place and the people. Thanks again for reading and commenting. Hello Katrina – thank you for your feedback, and I’m sorry you took my blog post to be such a negative assessment on the Blackball Hilton. On the contrary, I tried to portray it as a historically fascinating place, and we were grateful for the experience to stay there. The joke is that it is the antithesis of a real Hilton, and the joke was on me :-) . As mentioned in the post, the owners were very friendly and their food is terrific. (We thanked them profusely in person for watching the kids that morning.) But there’s no denying it is a rough and dusty place with very worn furnishings and bedding, adorned with odd and fanciful art (as the quotes from the two other Trip Advisor reviews support). Going there and running the Croesus Crossing event was one of the highlights of our South Island tour; I loved the place and the people. Thanks again for reading and commenting.

]]> By: Katrina http://away-together.com/2010/01/20/backwoods-of-blackball/comment-page-1/#comment-562 Katrina Sun, 30 May 2010 22:22:38 +0000 http://away-together.com/?p=1528#comment-562 I have just read the comments about the Blackball Hilton hotel. I have stayed at this hotel a number of times supporting my partner in endurance events. I stayed the night of the croesus track run and spent the day waiting for my partner at the Hilton. I saw a lot of your children that day and was amazed at how much attention the owners gave to them in the form of child-minding, feeding and also bringing out a box of stationery for them to make a congratulations card for each of you. All of this while they catered for over 100 people who completed the race. The hotel has hot water bottles because the fear of fire in such an old hotel is very real so every precaution is taken. The signs on the heaters were so that people did not put wet clothes on top to dry. The heaters are in perfect working order (the fire safety checks NZ has ensure this). The sheets and blankets in the rooms I have stayed in were satisfactory. The rooms have been kept to their original design to show people how these hotels were in the 1900's. Many hotels have been modernised to the point of losing their history. I agree the bathrooms could do with a makeover, however, you will notice that the price of $55.00 pp per night (including a cooked breakfast) was indeed very worthwhile. I think it is very sad that for a couple who were cared for so well in an historic town and put their children in the care of complete strangers could write such terrible things about their hotel is appalling. Not to mention the negative comments about New Zealand's culture of small rural historic villages that are still alive and kicking. Thank god we still have them so our children's children can experience real history. I have just read the comments about the Blackball Hilton hotel. I have stayed at this hotel a number of times supporting my partner in endurance events.
I stayed the night of the croesus track run and spent the day waiting for my partner at the Hilton.
I saw a lot of your children that day and was amazed at how much attention the owners gave to them in the form of child-minding, feeding and also bringing out a box of stationery for them to make a congratulations card for each of you. All of this while they catered for over 100 people who completed the race.
The hotel has hot water bottles because the fear of fire in such an old hotel is very real so every precaution is taken. The signs on the heaters were so that people did not put wet clothes on top to dry. The heaters are in perfect working order (the fire safety checks NZ has ensure this). The sheets and blankets in the rooms I have stayed in were satisfactory. The rooms have been kept to their original design to show people how these hotels were in the 1900′s. Many hotels have been modernised to the point of losing their history.
I agree the bathrooms could do with a makeover, however, you will notice that the price of $55.00 pp per night (including a cooked breakfast) was indeed very worthwhile.

I think it is very sad that for a couple who were cared for so well in an historic town and put their children in the care of complete strangers could write such terrible things about their hotel is appalling. Not to mention the negative comments about New Zealand’s culture of small rural historic villages that are still alive and kicking. Thank god we still have them so our children’s children can experience real history.

]]> By: Race Report: New Zealand’s Crazy Croesus Crossing | Sarah Lavender Smith http://away-together.com/2010/01/20/backwoods-of-blackball/comment-page-1/#comment-317 Race Report: New Zealand’s Crazy Croesus Crossing | Sarah Lavender Smith Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:54:41 +0000 http://away-together.com/?p=1528#comment-317 [...] here and on our Away Together travel blog, I’ve been raving about New Zealand trail running. There are beautiful, [...] [...] here and on our Away Together travel blog, I’ve been raving about New Zealand trail running. There are beautiful, [...]

]]> By: Mimi http://away-together.com/2010/01/20/backwoods-of-blackball/comment-page-1/#comment-299 Mimi Sat, 23 Jan 2010 04:28:27 +0000 http://away-together.com/?p=1528#comment-299 What a PW place to sleep. I'm glad it was warm or the radiators probably would have made noise all night. Yes Kyle it was fun seeing you recording notes like a real home town reporter. Who got the hospital beds? Were they squeeky? What a PW place to sleep. I’m glad it was warm or the radiators probably would have made noise all night. Yes Kyle it was fun seeing you recording notes like a real home town reporter. Who got the hospital beds? Were they squeeky?

]]> By: George http://away-together.com/2010/01/20/backwoods-of-blackball/comment-page-1/#comment-297 George Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:16:38 +0000 http://away-together.com/?p=1528#comment-297 Looks like a scene out of Psycho. Next you are going to tell me the owner is related to Norman Bates. Whatever you do, do not take a shower!! Looks like a scene out of Psycho. Next you are going to tell me the owner is related to Norman Bates. Whatever you do, do not take a shower!!

]]> By: Martha Howard http://away-together.com/2010/01/20/backwoods-of-blackball/comment-page-1/#comment-296 Martha Howard Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:09:23 +0000 http://away-together.com/?p=1528#comment-296 ha ha ha Kyle! He says the best things!! ha ha ha Kyle! He says the best things!!

]]> By: Kelly Valen http://away-together.com/2010/01/20/backwoods-of-blackball/comment-page-1/#comment-294 Kelly Valen Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:58:25 +0000 http://away-together.com/?p=1528#comment-294 Sarah, this is hilarious, right down to Lucky Room 13. You are such a wonderful writer. I am so glad you went with it, if even for a night! What a great story. Kind of reminds me of our adventure at the Madonna Inn in the Tack Room, which ended up being bordello-style with red leather and naugahyde everywhere (even bedspread). My kids loved it - but the whole time I kept trying NOT to imagine who had stayed in there before us - and what went on. Yikes! Keep up the writing. I sure wish you were coming to BKK! Sarah, this is hilarious, right down to Lucky Room 13. You are such a wonderful writer. I am so glad you went with it, if even for a night! What a great story. Kind of reminds me of our adventure at the Madonna Inn in the Tack Room, which ended up being bordello-style with red leather and naugahyde everywhere (even bedspread). My kids loved it – but the whole time I kept trying NOT to imagine who had stayed in there before us – and what went on. Yikes! Keep up the writing. I sure wish you were coming to BKK!

]]> By: Sarah http://away-together.com/2010/01/20/backwoods-of-blackball/comment-page-1/#comment-293 Sarah Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:02:19 +0000 http://away-together.com/?p=1528#comment-293 I love how I can always count on my sister and brother to read and comment on my blog! I forgot to tell you guys one of the funniest things about the Blackball Hilton: When we walked into our room, Kyle said, "We all get Whoopie cushions!" He was referring to the rubber hot water bottles that came with each bed, which do sort of look like whoopie cushions. The kids had never seen a hot water bottle before and didn't know what it was for. We explained that this is what the hotel provides for warmth, since there are signs posted on every rusted-out heater: "Do not use!" and "Do not put anything on this - Fire Danger!" Fortunately it was a warm night and we didn't have to fill those bottles and slip them between the sheets. (And anyway, I slept fully clothed, with a hood over my head, so has not to get too close to that bedding.) love, Sarah I love how I can always count on my sister and brother to read and comment on my blog! I forgot to tell you guys one of the funniest things about the Blackball Hilton: When we walked into our room, Kyle said, “We all get Whoopie cushions!” He was referring to the rubber hot water bottles that came with each bed, which do sort of look like whoopie cushions. The kids had never seen a hot water bottle before and didn’t know what it was for. We explained that this is what the hotel provides for warmth, since there are signs posted on every rusted-out heater: “Do not use!” and “Do not put anything on this – Fire Danger!” Fortunately it was a warm night and we didn’t have to fill those bottles and slip them between the sheets. (And anyway, I slept fully clothed, with a hood over my head, so has not to get too close to that bedding.)
love,
Sarah

]]> By: David W. Lavender http://away-together.com/2010/01/20/backwoods-of-blackball/comment-page-1/#comment-292 David W. Lavender Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:55:04 +0000 http://away-together.com/?p=1528#comment-292 I love the carpet in room 13! (Being able to zoom in on these pictures is a real treat when there is so much cool clutter in the background to examine). The labor ("labour") history sounds fascinating--probably with a lot of parallels to the turn-of-the-century mine strikes here in Telluride. Glad to see Kyle in his researcher's pose. Hope you learn lots while enjoying your stay! It was fun to see you all looking so summery as well. We're under a blizzard watch today through tomorrow night (2-3 feet predicted by Friday evening). Needless to say, we're stoked! I love the carpet in room 13! (Being able to zoom in on these pictures is a real treat when there is so much cool clutter in the background to examine). The labor (“labour”) history sounds fascinating–probably with a lot of parallels to the turn-of-the-century mine strikes here in Telluride. Glad to see Kyle in his researcher’s pose. Hope you learn lots while enjoying your stay!

It was fun to see you all looking so summery as well. We’re under a blizzard watch today through tomorrow night (2-3 feet predicted by Friday evening). Needless to say, we’re stoked!

]]> By: Martha Howard http://away-together.com/2010/01/20/backwoods-of-blackball/comment-page-1/#comment-291 Martha Howard Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:45:18 +0000 http://away-together.com/?p=1528#comment-291 wow. Did you actually get any sleep there? I don't even want to think about bugs and germs... Bet you're glad to move on from this leg of your journey! Love you - M. wow. Did you actually get any sleep there? I don’t even want to think about bugs and germs… Bet you’re glad to move on from this leg of your journey!

Love you -

M.

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