Homeless man’s hotel bluff

A homeless man enjoyed an allexpenses-paid stay at a plush hotel used for isolating arrivals in Auckland after wandering in off the street, in what could be the making of a Kiwi folk hero.

It is understood the man walked into the Crowne Plaza in central Auckland, currently being used for the mandatory 14-day isolation period required of new arrivals to New Zealand.

National MP Michael Woodhouse revealed the man bluffed his way into an Auckland hotel during a television interview yesterday morning but did not specify which one.

However, the hotel was the four-star Crowne Plaza in Albert St. Rooms at the hotel start at $258 per night for a standard room, rising to $555 for a suite with sweeping views over the city, a private balcony and king bed.

The cheapest 14-night stint at the hotel would set you back $3800, with the cost rising to $8000 for the executive suite, according to Booking.com search results for an October stay.

The man is understood to have walked straight into the hotel without being asked any questions.

His caper only came to light when he left after two weeks and was asked for his home address.

The man is earning widespread applause on social media but his identity remains a mystery.

The Crowne Plaza manager would not comment on the record and referred questions to the Ministry of Health, which referred questions to the All-of-Government Covid-19 response team, which is yet to respond.

The Crowne Plaza website says it is one of the top hotels in Auckland. ‘‘Whether you are travelling for business, pleasure, or a little bit of both, Crowne Plaza Auckland hotel will be your home away from home,’’ it says.

‘‘We know how important it is to find the right place to rest your head for a night.’’

Guest reviews paint a similarly glowing picture. ‘‘Paying a little more to get the club level breakfast is totally worth it,’’ wrote Kasandra Vicknair.

‘‘Plus the server will make you a drink if you ask nicely. I love how if you go down to the ground floor, you can go down into the shopping centre. I absolutely love the Crowne Plaza hotel and wouldn’t stay anywhere else in Auckland!’’