Metro Hotel Tower Mill
- Tuesday, 20 December 2011 13:27
Metro Hotel Tower Mill is located opposite one of Brisbane's most famous landmarks, the old windmill, known as the Tower Mill.
Brisbane's windmill tower, built in 1828 under the direction of Commandant Logan, is older and more significant than any other windmill still standing in Australia.
Positioned in parklike surroundings the Metro Hotel Tower Mill is only 600m from Brisbane's CBD and 500m from Central Station. Brisbane City Council operates a free loop bus service from outside the hotel.
"People like to get away from the concrete jungle and come to a quiet area, yet we are still close to all the city facilities," said Allan Hilt, Metro Hotel Tower Mill property manager since February this year.
The Queen Street Mall, Suncorp Stadium, Roma St Parklands, art gallery, the museum and numerous restaurants, eateries and shopping facilities are all close by. This unique cylindrically shaped hotel, 
overlooking Brisbane city, offers a licensed restaurant and bar with room-service and charge-back facilities. Free car parking, subject to availability, is onsite and there is council parking nearby.
Metro Hotel Tower Mill is in a prime position. Guests can stay at a convenient city location without paying big city prices. With 71 hotel roomsover the eight levels, there is a choice from budget rooms, family rooms and executive double or twin. All rooms have balconies.
"One of my main aims when I first started here at the hotel was to get the name of Metro Hotel Tower Mill known in Brisbane and all around Queensland," Mr Hilt continued. "You can't spend money if you are not making a profit, so that was my first aim."
Most of the rooms have new air-conditioners. All have new LCD televisions, high-speed Wi-Fi, complimentary in-house movies and Foxtel.
"Now the hotel has 100% occupancy four days a week and is very busy during the weekend."
Mr Hilt always had a passion for management but his first involvement in the hospitality industry back in 1989 started a little differently. "I flew over to Melbourne from New Zealand when I was 19 for a friend's wedding and I ran out of money. So, donning my silver shiny suit I'd worn to the wedding and armed with my resumé — including recently acquired hospitality qualifications completed in NZ — I went for my first interview," explained Mr Hilt. "My first job was counting linen for a nine-floor 300 room five star hotel and separating each item into its own trolley. I literally started right at the bottom."
Since then Mr Hilt has worked in a variety of management and finance roles in different locations. Some of these have been in Brisbane, such as the Royal on the Park, Chifley at Lennons and two Mirvac properties. Other locations were at Hayman Island and Mirvac Palm Cove Cairns.
"I went into the hotel finance side of things years ago because I knew I wanted to become a general manager and I understood that having a knowledge of finance was going to be very useful in the long term," explained Mr Hilt. "My past experience in finance has certainly given me the understanding of how to control expenses.
"I felt right at home coming here. All of the staff have worked here five years or longer and are extremely competent."
"On November 10 this year we received our first certificate — a TripAdvisor excellence award for customer service," beamed Mr Hilt. "I believe in leading by example and as a people person I am very much hands on, which reflects onto the staff, who are happily involved in interacting with the guests."
Working in conjunction with The Mill Hotel restaurant, Metro Hotel Tower Mill provides conference and accommodation packages, where guests enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner in a relaxed atmosphere.
The Brisbane Private Hospital is next door to the Metro Hotel. St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital and many medical specialists are also situated in Wickham Terrace. Staff have received extra training in understanding the special needs of some guests who stay at the Metro Tower Mill when visiting their medical specialists.
"Every day is different in hospitality. After 23 years in the industry there is always something new that will pop up for a challenge, which is what I enjoy about it," Mr Hilt said passionately. I've worked for some really great and experienced general managers and they have taught me a lot over the years.
"I really love the industry and that's what I get up for every morning," smiled Mr Hilt.
