Woman, 89, gets entire NZ hotel to herself

An elderly Belgian woman is being allowed to stay free of charge in a New Zealand hotel where she is the only guest. Luce Wilsens, who has stayed at the Kamana Lakehouse in Queenstown for all but one of the past 30 years, was meant to fly home to Switzerland last month. But her flight was among hundreds axed as the coronavirus pandemic sent the travel world into a tailspin. So, the inn, located in one of New Zealand’s loveliest tourist destinations, decided to let her remain with three staff, including a chef and front-office manager, to see to her needs. “We knew how fragile she is, and we knew moving her would be such a big problem,” general manager Mario Sandulescu told the New Zealand Herald. The hotel is otherwise shut, but Wilsens’ complimentary oasis won’t last forever. “We haven’t charged her any money,” Sandulescu confirmed. “But after the lockdown we need to — it’s a lifeline for us as well.” Wilsens said: “They have really spoiled me.” Immigration officials in New Zealand helped by extending her visitor’s visa after a lobbying campaign. It means she will be able to celebrate her 90th birthday there.