Cedar Lodge Motel
Having started out in the industry 12 years ago with their first management rights holiday property, Weyba Gardens One and Two in Noosaville, Bob & Rosanne Eastmond then purchased the management rights to permanent letting Koel Gardens that adjoined Weyba Gardens, thereby giving an inventory of 80 units.
Aspiring to further grow their knowledge and expansion in the industry, Bob and Rosanne entered into a partnership in 2001 with Rosanne’s brother and wife, Warner and Chris Banks. The partnership purchased the management rights to the 175-unit complex Isle of Palms in Elanora on the Gold Coast. Four years later the partnership split amicably with both partners purchasing motel complexes. In October 2007 the Eastmonds packed yet again for a move to Rockhampton where they had purchased the well known 4½ star Coffee House Motel and Apartments. Retirement beckoned in April 2008 and the Coffee House was sold.
However after a couple months holiday boredom set in.
“A short stint as relief managers convinced us that there was still life in the old bodies yet,” said Rosanne. “We decided we wanted the further challenge of another motel. A brief phone call to Andrew Morgan from QTB convinced us to fly to Townsville the next day for the recently listed Cedar Lodge Motel. It was exactly what we were looking for. We had wanted something that had no restaurant and a motel that would benefit from renovations. Plans were already under way to utilise the space in the old restaurant and kitchen area.
Additionally all the furniture, carpeting bedding TV’s and colour schemes in the existing units were dated.”
During the 11 months Bob and Rosanne have been at Cedar Lodge a huge refurbishment program has taken place. The existing three-bedroom managers’ unit has been fully refurbished and now presents as a very modern and comfortable managers’ residence. All beds in the motel have been replaced with single and queen five star commercial grade ensembles. Units have been painted in neutral colours with new carpets throughout. New flat screen TVs in all rooms are mounted on swivel wall mounts to allow viewing from all angles in the units. All units are air conditioned with new built in kitchenettes.
The addition of three separate family rooms in the restaurant area has created a unique situation for a motel complex Each room can sleep five to six people with the three rooms sharing a large common lounge and dining area with 32 inch flat screen TV and a fully self contained, tiled kitchen.
Being the closest motel to the Townsville hospital and James Cook University along with a frontage to Nathan Rd, Cedar Lodge Motel runs at an approximate 90% occupancy year around.
The appointment of Judith and Grant Martin as on-site managers in March this year has added to the professional and friendly reception provided to all guests at Cedar Lodge motel.
Cedar Lodge Motel houses 26 air-conditioned, ensuite guest rooms ranging in size from queen to family size. Each unit contains flat screen TVs with cable, telephone, built in kitchenettes with fridge, microwave, toaster, kettle, crockery cutlery and glassware.
The three new family rooms revolving around a communal lounge/dining area and fully self contained kitchen feature individual flat screen TVs in each room and a kitchen that has a large fridge/freezer, dry panty, oven and cook top, microwave, dishwasher, crockery, cutlery and glassware for up to sixteen people. One room is ensuite and the other two rooms are serviced by two lock up bathrooms with shower, toilet and vanity facilities.
Cedar Lodge Motel also offers a range of facilities including an in ground swimming pool three out door settings, late arrival box, free Internet to wi-fi broadband access, laundry facilities, fax and photocopying , continental breakfast packs, close access to four fast food outlets, a tavern and Stockland’s shopping centre.
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