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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
Excelsior Hotel
Excelsior Hotel (Roderick Mackenzie, proprietor), corner of Dowling and Princes Streets, Dunedin. This handsome hostelry occupies a conspicuous position in the centre of the city, and is within three minutes' walk of the railway station, post and telegraph offices. Notwithstanding the fact that the hotel is comparatively a new building, it page 318 was found necessary, recently, to extend the premises to provide additional accommodation. The hotel now contains fifty rooms, well furnished and properly equipped, and may claim to be an up-to-date commercial and family hotel. There is a well-lighted reading and commercial room, with a number of combined American writing desks and secretaries, easy chairs, files of the leading newspapers, and writing and corresponding conveniences. A private sitting room, set apart for ladies, contains, among its attractive furnishings, a Brinsmead piano, music stands, writing desks, and couches and cushions. Luxurious bridal chambers, exquisitely furnished, adjoin private sitting rooms equipped to match. The bedrooms are furnished with mirrored wardrobes, chests of drawers, and other furnishings, manufactured from the special designs of the proprietor. To show the careful study that has been given to details, each bed, in addition to the customary wire-woven spring mattress, is provided with specially-designed felt rugs, which prevent the remotest danger from dampness. There are bathrooms and lavatories on each floor, and throughout the entire house there are fire-house appliances, placed in conspicuous positions, for use in cases of emergency. Every provision for escape in case of fire has also been carefully attended to; and iron gangways and iron stairways lead from the window to the ground. Privacy for the residential portion of the building is secured by a private entrance from Dowling Street. The dining room, which is a large, handsome apartment, is liberally patronised by city business men; and this is ample evidence of a well-kept table.