Wendy's Holiday Home

I had a really uncomfortable experience here on February 15. I’m a marine technician working at the marina nearby, and my job had booked me a hotel in Auckland CBD. The morning drive looked like too much, so I searched for somewhere closer. I came across this bed and breakfast, hostel, or whatever it is, but because it was late, Booking.com would only let me book for the next day. I texted the owner to ask about availability, and he said there was a room. He quoted $100 a night, which I was fine with, then offered $350 for six days. I thought that sounded great and agreed. He gave me the address, so I checked out of my hostel and took an Uber over. It was about a 16-minute drive from where I’d been staying. When I arrived, the first thing he asked was how I would pay. I said by card, but he insisted on either a bank transfer to the same bank he uses or cash. I said cash was okay. We went downstairs, and he told me to wait outside while he drove around looking for an ATM. I was using Apple Pay and needed a smart ATM. There are lots in the city, but apparently none around his area. It was about 10 p.m. by then. After the first ATM, he got agitated and drove me to another one. On the way, he asked to see my bank balance three separate times. I showed him eventually, and the account had over NZD $100,000 in it. He then asked how much physical cash I had and started getting angry. I told him I felt uncomfortable and asked him to take me back to the house. He tried to get me to make a booking anyway, saying several times, “you make booking online.” I explained again that I just wanted to pick up my bags and stay somewhere else. When we got back, he pressed me about booking again, so I got out quickly and found another place to stay. I’m warning others because I don’t think my belongings or work gear would have been safe there. There was also a huge language barrier. I suspect he wanted cash because he wasn’t paying tax.