Induldge yourself! Chocolate and Five Star Accommodation.

If you want to impress that special lady in your life ... what could be better than a trip to a luxury boutique hotel with a chocolate theme!

Come and stay at the St Clair Beach Resort to enjoy the Dunedin Cadbury Chocolate Carnival

• Two nights in a stunning beach facing studio with super king sized bed, soft seating area, LCD TV with Sky, En-suite with shower and bath as well as a welcome gift of ... you guessed it ... chocolate!

Newcomer checked in to the Dunedin hotel scene yesterday with the official opening of the St Clair Beach Resort.

While guests had been staying at the 26-room boutique since last month, it was officially opened by Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin at a special ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Mr Chin praised the tenacity of Stephen and Janet Chittock and partner Calder Stewart in pursuing their project to completion.

"We all have dreams, but very few of us can bring those to reality," he said.

Click photo to enlarge How it may look . . . The multimillion-dollar 26-room development proposed for the corner of Beach St and the Esplanade, in St C

Spa, restaurant part of plan

By SIMON HARTLEY Business reporter

A MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR four- to five-star 26-room hotel development is planned for the Esplanade, at St Clair beach, including a restaurant, commercial spa resort and bar.

Stephen Chittock, the largest landholder within the Esplanade block, has linked with the property arm of Calder Stewart in a joint venture with the aim of having the new complex completed by about May next year.

It would be the fourth licensed premises in the block.