GRANGE LODGE WINS TOURISM & HOSPITALITY 2008

Media Release dated 8 September 2008

Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards

Pat and Bernie Taylor with staff, family, friends and dignitaries at the Award Ceremony

Grange Lodge was built in 1985 and purchased by banking industry veterans Pat and Bernie in 1995.

Pat and Bernie Taylor's motto of "Love'em to death" has seen their multi award winning motel, Grange Lodge, thrive in the 13 years they have owned it. For ten years the Taylors have embarked on a rigorous upgrade programme and the motel now rates Three Star Plus with Qualmark.

"We are absolutely delighted. We were very keen on winning this award, as we have been finalists in this category for the last three years. This has helped us become a better business. We are always looking at fresh ways of doing things and meeting and exceeding expectations" Pat told Business to Business.

Twice before a winner in the Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards in other categories, the judges said that Grange Lodge's mission statement is clearly not just a collection of buzz words, but the core philosophy of their business: to exceed expectations, to proved memorable experiences and to offer passionate customer service.

"The motel gives us an ideal opportunity to impart our passion for New Zealand on to overseas visitors" Bernie said.

GRANGE LODGE WINS AGAIN!!

Media Release dated 24 August 2007

Grange Lodge Wins Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Award in Small Business

Standing: Glenda Roebeck (staff)NitaRikihana(staff) Brooke and Graham Maisey.

Seated: Pat Taylor, Brad CooperCEO Westpac Bank, Helen Clark Prime Minister of NZ, Sir Barry Curtis, Mayor of Manukau City, Bernie Taylor

For the third year in a row multi-award winning motel Grange Lodge has been a winner in the Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards. Previously Grange Lodge has won the Customer Services category and been a finalist in the tourism category.

In addition Grange Lodge has won the AA Tourism Supreme Host of the Year award twice.  This year they have won the Excellence in Small Business Category.

Grange Lodge Wins Westfield Manukau City Excellence in Customer Service Award

Media Release dated Friday, September 8, 2006

Standing: Pat, Malcolm and Ali Taylor Seated: Sir Barry Curtis, Mayor of Manukau City, Bernie Taylor, The Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand
The winner of the Westfield Manukau City Excellence in Customer Services Award, the Grange Lodge, is passionate about customer service - and have used it as the foundation of their business.

By listening to their customers and focusing on excellent service as their point of difference in a competitive market place, owners Bernie and Pat Taylor have built a base of regular clients and an excellent occupancy rate.

"Customer service can make the difference between success or failure for a business, particular one that operates in an intensively competitive marketplace such as this," says Jennifer Manning, Centre Manager, Westfield Manukau City.

"The Grange Lodge has demonstrated time and time again that customer service is the number one priority for them - and that's the key to their success."

"It's important for the people who own and run businesses to be passionate about them - and the Taylor's are a classic example of this," says Bruce McLachlan, Westpac General Manager for Business Banking.

"This award recognises that passion and their business success."

The Grange Lodge, also a finalist in the Excellence in Tourism Category, has won a range of other awards. The Taylor's contribute to their community through involvement in many charitable organisations, and mentor many other owners.

Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis congratulates the Grange Lodge for their outstanding service to the Manukau community, their clients and to their industry.

"The Grange is one of our many businesses that are providing a top rate experience for their customers. Manukau is fast gaining a reputation as a place to do good business, and the Grange and all the winners at these awards are a testament as to why that is the case."

The best of Manukau's businesses were celebrated at the 2006 Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards gala dinner on September 8. The seven winning businesses were recognised, along with long standing members of the business community and those making an outstanding contribution to the community.

www.bizawards.co.nz

Winner of the 2005 AA Supreme Host of the Year Award Announced

The winner of the AA Tourism 2005 Supreme Host of the Year Award was announced on Sunday night with the major award going to Grange Lodge Motel in Manukau City for the second year in a row.

Hosted in conjunction with the Motel Association of New Zealand (MANZ), the award was presented to owner/operators Pat and Bernie Taylor at the MANZ Conference by Bevan Dale, AA Tourism National Sales Manager.

The competition was exceptionally tough this year, but Pat and Bernie Taylor came through to win again, said Mr Dale.

AA Tourism is proud to be associated with the exceptionally high standards of motel accommodation and customer service in the New Zealand marketplace. What we are looking for is excellence in motel service and Grange Lodge Motel has again delivered upon that.

Other finalists recognised at the Conference dinner - which was held at the Grand Chancellor Hotel in Christchurch, were:

Westhaven Motel, Mt Maunganui, Avon City Motel, Christchurch

The awards have proven a successful means of fostering peak performance from moteliers nationwide, said Mr Dale.

Established in 2003 by AA Tourism in association with MANZ, the award recognises the operators of a MANZ motel who have consistently provided high standards of quality customer service and excellent facilities. Judging is based on nominations received from members of the public who have stayed at these motels.

Visit www.aatravel.co.nz  for further information on AA Tourism services.

For more information contact:
Bevan Dale
National Sales Manager, AA Tourism
New Zealand Automobile Association
T. + 64 9 966 8716

Winner of the AA Tourism Supreme Host of the Year Award Announced

Press Release Dated: 5 August 2004
The AA Tourism Supreme Host of the Year Awards 2004 have been announced with the major award going to Grange Lodge in Papatoetoe.

Hosted in conjunction with the Motel Association of New Zealand (MANZ), the awards were held at the annual MANZ Gala Awards Dinner in Paihia on July 31st.

Proprietors of the award winning Grange Lodge Pat and Bernie Taylor, have this year surpassed their standard of success achieved at the 2003 AA Tourism Supreme Host of the Year Awards, when they featured as one of three finalists.

Other finalists for the prestigious AA Tourism Supreme Host of the Year Award 2004 were Jackie Thompson, proprietor of the Blue Pacific Quality Apartments in Paihia, and Mike and Vickie Scherer, proprietors of the Westhaven Motel in Mount Maunganui.

AA Tourism Marketing Manager Annabel Lush said she was astounded yet impressed by the sheer volume of positive feedback AA Tourism had received about the New Zealand Hospitality Industry.

AA Tourism is proud to be associated with the exceptionally high standards of motel accommodation and customer service in the New Zealand marketplace. Customer service may not cost a thing, but the impact of it is huge. We are excited about the number of nominations made by the public for the awards this year.

Theo Simeonidis, Chief Executive of MANZ, said this years top nominees for the 2004 AA Tourism Supreme Host of the Year Award had really raised the bar.

The awards have proven a successful means of fostering peak performance from moteliers nationwide.

Due to the high standard of those nominated for the awards this year, four hosts received special recognition in receiving a Highly Commended award. These were awarded in addition to the finalists of the main AA Tourism Supreme Host of the Year Award. Hosts who were highly commended include the following:

Jocelyn and Murray Partridge, Ashleigh Court Motels, Christchurch

Alison & Graham Shaw, Coachman Motel, Taihape

Monica and Pete Ranson, Punga Grove, Franz Josef

Lois & Ted Gutberlet, Willowbank Pacifica Lodge, Greymouth

Established in 2003 by AA Tourism in association with MANZ, the award recognises the operators of a MANZ motel who have consistently provided high standards of quality customer service and excellent facilities. Judging is based on nominations received from members of the public who have stayed at these motels.