Man claims Rotorua’s Sudima isolation hotel had cracked walls, mold and broken furniture

A man who spent two weeks in controlled isolation claims his hotel was “a horrible place” with cracked walls, mold, broken furniture, torn curtains, and a blocked shower drain.

The Auckland man, who only wanted to be known as Mark, also said he was not surprised when a person escaped from Rotorua’s Sudima Hotel on Wednesday night, comparing what he described as “depressing” living conditions there to a prison.

Sudima Hotels responded by saying that they were “very concerned and disappointed to read about this guest’s bad experience” and that Mark was moved to another room.

“The restrictions placed on our operating equipment while operating as a managed isolation facility have disrupted some maintenance programs,” the hotel said.

Mark’s claims come after a man escaped from managed isolation through a fenced-in area in the Sudima on Wednesday night, prompting a full search for New Zealand Defense Force personnel.

The man, who has not been charged, was missing for half an hour before being taken to hospital for evaluation.

He had previously returned a negative Covid-19 test. Police believed he was not moving beyond the immediate area and security had been tightened.

Mark, who did not want to use his last name, told the Rotorua Daily Post that he and his partner “were not surprised that the man wanted to escape” and believed it would not have been difficult to do so.

The couple remained in controlled isolation in Sudima after returning from the UK to see Mark’s ill father on August 17.

Mark said they asked to be moved from their original room because it was too small.

He claimed the couple’s experience at the hotel included mold, cracks in the walls, broken furniture, broken curtains and blinds, and a blocked shower that took 20 minutes to drain when he stayed there.

He provided photos of alleged problems from both rooms that he said they stayed in.

He said, in his opinion, that it was a “depressing and horrible place” and stated that they had complained to the hotel on numerous occasions, but that there was not much that could be done as the staff could not enter the room.

When asked if it would have been difficult to escape from the hotel, Mark said it would have been easy and that “I could have gotten out if I wanted to … especially at that time of night with hardly anyone around.”

Mark also claimed that the hotel did not give the couple full meals as they were “the only ones on their block and they were easily forgotten.”

He said this was not a great loss because, in his opinion, the food was “barely edible”.

He said he would pay what he thought were “ridiculous” prices for room service, which included $ 42 for a bottle of wine and $ 10 for a microwave cake and fries.

Mark also alleged that when they left, they found that the mattress they had been using was heavily stained with what looked like blood.

He said they “would not have fallen asleep” if they had known.

“It really was the most disgusting experience … we were appalled to have been treated like this in our own country and felt that New Zealanders should be aware of how low the standard is for the unfortunate who get short straw isolation accommodation.” he said, expressing his point of view.

“He has totally put us off Rotorua.”

The couple fully supported the isolation and safety of the community, but conditions, from their perspective, were not acceptable.

However, he said the hotel’s defense force staff and officers were helpful and understanding.

The couple had complained to Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ), which had opened a case review on the incident, he said.

A manager of the Sudima Hotel Rotorua said that all media inquiries on the issue must go through MIQ and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

The Rotorua Daily Post asked MBIE a series of questions, including how the man escaped, where he went and where he is now, and sought an answer to Mark’s claims.

The ministry was also questioned on how the fugitive was able to flee given that Rotorua secured 50 new Defense Forces guards for the city’s administered isolation facilities just a week ago.

A spokeswoman for isolation and managed quarantine said that eight security personnel and a police officer were on duty at the time. “The additional NZDF deployment will go live at the Sudima Rotorua managed isolation facility next week.

“However, in immediate response to this incident, four additional NZDF personnel were transferred to the facility, along with two additional private security elements.”

He said CCTV footage was being reviewed. “Current information indicates that the man came out of a gate and made his way through the layers of the fence.”

He said initial information suggested the man was staying near the facility and was not in contact with any member of the public.

“The risk to public health has been assessed by officials as low, and the man’s third day test result was negative. The man underwent an evaluation at the hospital and will return to administered isolation at the appropriate time where additional support will be provided for their well-being. ” site.”

Managed Isolation and Quarantine staff also confirmed that they “received complaints from the couple and that a member of the MIQ complaints staff had apologized to the couple for their experience.”

“We have received excellent comments from other returnees about this hotel, but we have relayed this person’s comments to the hotel management.”

All managed isolation and quarantine facilities adhere to Ministry of Health guidelines on cleanliness requirements, they said.

“Returnees receive three meals a day and snacks in their room that are funded by the government. For any additional meals, guests can order room service or deliveries to local stores or supermarkets at their own expense.”

An additional statement read: “Sudima Hotels is very concerned and disappointed to read this guest’s bad experience.

“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by the issues raised.

“Sudima Hotels staff can respond to guest concerns 24 hours a day and safely move any guest to another room if we are informed of a problem during a guest’s stay.

“We can confirm that this guest was moved to another room during his stay.

“The restrictions imposed on our operating equipment while operating as a managed isolation facility have disrupted some maintenance programs,” the statement read.

Rotorua MP Todd McClay said residents were promised nothing like this would happen and that it was just “another blow” to the city.

He said they would be outraged to learn that the city was joining Hamilton and Auckland, where people had come out of isolation.

“Labor promised this would not happen. They quarantined people in Rotorua in the dead of night and promised that the facility would be secure. They have now reportedly let someone pass the fence in Rotorua.”

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick said it was “obviously disappointing” but was assured that the matter was resolved quickly and that the risk to the wider community was low.

He said people were expected to meet the conditions that had been set to protect the public.

“We have all played our role and we ask that those who re-enter New Zealand also do their part and not put us at unnecessary risk.”

Waiariki MP Tamati Coffey declined to comment.