Alexander Inn

Great Location, town is just a few minutes walk especially to the rooftop restaurants which is why we chose to stay here. Got the executive room which was very nice, microwave is a bonus and the room was very clean. Nice little balcony off the room and a spa bath in the bathroom. Beds were comfortable and we had a good night sleep. The service was friendly. There isn’t too many car parks but we had early check in so it didn’t affect us. We do have a large ute and tried to park in the far end car park but was told to move next to the other large ute in the middle of the car park who just arrived before us. Although as the driver exited his vehicle he hit his door on mine. I did ask reception if we could park anywhere and was told that the larger vehicles are kept to the left so it’s not so hard to get out. Definitely understood this but two large utes next to each other in a tight car space between two poles isn’t ideal. There were very few cars there at the time so it would’ve been good to have a space in between us. I would return if dining out in Newmarket again otherwise I’m not sure if it’s great value.

The hotel and the room were just fine - comfy, reasonably new, and good-looking. Location is close to Newmarket mall, where you can find a gym, a movie theater, and a choice of eateries. My complaint is with the lack of communication. I was arriving late, and the front desk was already closed. No one communicated to me how to get access to my room. There was no note left at the reception door either. Luckily for me, I found a lock box on the parking side, and it was not locked. Inside the envelope with my name was my key. When I spoke to the front desk in the morning, the lady seemed to be more concerned that the guest, who used the lock box before me, did not lock it, then with a possibility of leaving a paying guest stranded in the middle of the night. Yes, they do have a phone number on the door, but it is not connected to WhatsApp. As an international traveler, I have no ability to place local calls, so I wouldn't be able to call. Why were instructions not emailed before my arrival, I can only guess.

BEWARE - POTENTIAL IDENTITY THEFT. BEWARE NEW ZEALANDERS DO NOT BOOK HERE - I booked this through Expedia and supplied my Credit Card through their site. When we went to check in at 6.50 pm approx. I presented my Credit card, she then asked for my drivers license as photo id. I had not had this happen before but as it was late, raining and we were in a city we were not familiar with, I opened my wallet so she could see it. She then took out her cellphone and started photo'ing my drivers license. I was unsure what she was doing, I asked her what she was doing? She said she had taken a picture of it and would keep this on file for 30 days incase I didn't pay! I said this is potential identity theft. I did not agree. My husband asked her to show us where on the Expedia site it said she would be allowed to take a picture of a drivers license. She couldn't show us, she said it was just a booking platform. She said someone had disagreed with their credit card company that they had stayed there so she is doing this now, as proof. She started to waive around a letter from a bank. So it is not to confirm identity but rather incase down the track someone disagrees with what she has charged them. It is not about confirming identification. If she wanted to see a DL as confirmation of identity, unusual but ok. It is totally unacceptable to photograph someone's drivers license without their permission. This leaves the person at risk for Identity Theft. If you think about it they already have your banking details, your home address, your phone number and now they have a picture of your drivers license. This maybe acceptable in China where she is from but it is not acceptable in New Zealand. When we would not agree, although she already had my DL on her phone she would not give us the room. To add insult to injury she then charged us for the night. Expedia said they contacted her 3 times and she refused to waive the one nights charge and she would not discuss the drivers license photo. I will be taking this matter to the law.