The History of Comfort Hotel Wellington

Comfort Hotel Wellington occupies a remarkable place in the history of Wellington. Throughout its history the property has always been used for accommodation, 96 years of it as a hotel.

The property at 205-219 Cuba Street, in the heart of a growing Capital, belonged to an officer of the British Army, Major James Paul.

Annette Paul, daughter of Major Paul, was a well educated, compassionate, and strong-minded lady. Attracted by the work of The Salvation Army of New Zealand, Annette joined their ranks in January 1889. Being a powerful leader with great administrative talents, Annette Paul rose rapidly to the rank of Staff Captain. She worked extensively with those in need throughout New Zealand, especially in Wellington.

When the premises Salvation Army used to accommodate the needy women became overcrowded, Annette Paul made a donation worth over £3,500 to help the crisis - a great fortune in the late 19th century. The generous donation of the site allowed the erection of a refuge for women called "Paulina Resque Home" in 1894.

The building served its purposes for over 10 years until 1907 when the Paulina Resque Home was transferred to Owen Street and new plans were devised for the property. The plans were to answer the growing demand for affordable yet safe and pleasant accommodation for travellers. "The People's Palace" was the name of The Salvation Army's many affordable and liquor-free hotels throughout the world.

It was the Army's intention to utilise the profits raised from the operation of The People's Palace for those in need throughout New Zealand. To preserve its identity, and carry its message, The People's Palace was run by Salvation Army officers/workers.

A magnificent three-story building worth over £15,000 was built within 9 month of demolition of the original Paulina Resque Home. The new structure was equipped to the latest standards with electricity and hot water supply throughout the whole building. It contained 122 rooms, slept 134 over-night guests within 96 bedrooms, and fed 180. The structure allowed for 6 leased shops along the bottom of the building. The Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, opened the hotel in a magnificent ceremony on 13th July 1908.

A further two wings were built along the Dunlop Terrace boundary in 1917, bringing hotel room numbers, at a maximum, to 288.

The People's Palace, later called "The Railton", operated for 78-years. During a seven year period over the 1950/60s its occupancy averaged 104%. Christchurch ferry passengers arrived in the morning, slept the day, and caught the night train. A similar group slept in the rooms at night. It has been calculated that about six million people have slept in the hotel!

When the hotel required a major refit, The Salvation Army sold the property to Presbyterian Support Services in 1986 who rationalised this and their neighbouring sites and on-sold the property within a month. The buyers, Burrell Wilkinson, spent about $7 million refitting the hotel as "Trekkers Hotel". They made fewer, but larger, rooms with their own bathrooms. In the 1989 downturn the hotel was known mainly as a backpacker establishment. When purchased by Port Nic Properties Ltd, its present owners, in 1990, Trekkers became Trekkers Hotel/Motel/Backpackers.

As one of Wellington's older buildings, the hotel has a heritage listing by both Historic Places Trust and Wellington City Council. A brick structure, the hotel was considered an "architectural safety wonder" in its time. However, it was classified an earthquake risk in 1995.

In 2002/3, renovations took place which added a floor, stripped the shell to the floor joists, strengthened the whole structure to the full modern code, built 114 new rooms each with bathroom facilities, and replicated the original stairway. The $7.5 million refit has provided brand new rooms etc, while retaining the 1908 ambience - including the top floor Cuba Street façade which is built in original style. The present Prime Minister, Helen Clark, reopened the hotel on 13 May 2003.