PHOTO: MURRAY WILSON/STUFF – The new owner of Hotel Coachman, Destination Hotels chief executive Duncan Fletcher, with its former owners, Brendan Hapeta, Leonie Hapeta and Ali McLean.

A distinctive stone-clad Palmerston North hotel has been bought by a national chain.

The Hotel Coachman was built on Fitzherbert Ave by the MacPherson Family in 1979, and for the past 12 years has been owned by Palmerston North city councillor Leonie Hapeta, her husband Brendan Hapeta, and sister Ali McLean.

The hotel was bought by Distinction Hotels this week, after the trio decided it was time to try a new venture, Leonie Hapeta said

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