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Maldives Resort

Moving into management rights on the Gold Coast was a life-changing experience for Duncan and Andre Manderson but the former New Zealand IT specialists were thrown in at the deep end.

Although they had some experience from Duncan’s parents’ 10-year involvement in management rights, it had not prepared them for the challenges of taking over the Maldives Resort on the Gold Coast from a large corporation.

“Initially we were quite daunted by the sight of what lay ahead. We knew nobody else was going to do the work so we put in the long days and have finally come up for air three months down the track. It’s been a tough quarter but I think we’ve been through the worst of it.” Duncan said.

The handover went smoothly and the previous manager helpful but Duncan said the building is in need of some positive attention.

“There have been problems with plumbing, power and general maintenance that have cost the sinking fund dearly,” he said. “All the holiday units were spring cleaned in their first month, several were repainted with several more waiting, old and worn out items replaced, carpets replaced and the general contents of many units replaced.

AN25-2-Maldives_Logo“We’re seeing the fruits of our labour and the resort is regaining some of its former glory. We have repainted the inside of the foyer and replaced the signs on the premises.

“We have a very helpful unit owner who has spent many hours water blasting the private and public outdoor concrete areas. It’s been fantastic to have an interested owner willing to put his own time into improving the look of the resort.”

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There are plans to paint the outside of the building this year, subject to financial approval this month.

The change of the property management system from HiRUM to Ezy Rez was a simple and smooth transition. “Michelle, Scott and the team did a great job of getting the data across from HiRUM,” he said.

Duncan and Andre had a new website developed before they started and took as much useful content from the original site as they could.

“We haven’t been able to invest as much time in marketing as we’d like to but what we have done seems to be working,” Duncan said.

“We are listing with AAA Tourism and other magazines and online services that can provide us with the valued services we need. We chose Levart as our channel management application after considering our options and hope to attract more direct bookings with their value-add services.”

The website provides quotes and the ability to book online.

“A high number of guests tell us they heard about Maldives Resort and it’s encouraging to hear them say they were referred by a friend,” Duncan said. “So, yes the hard work is paying off. The positive customer feedback about the site has confirmed our belief that we did the right thing by replacing the old site.

“Our guests have regularly told us that they have enjoyed their stay and return guests have told us that they approve of the change, with some commenting that it was very overdue.”

“The owners are enjoying the extra communication and feedback as we keep them involved of the changes and goings on at the resort.”

Their switch to a Xero online accounting system was completed last month.

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Duncan and Andre had always planned to give up their jobs and buy a business once their children were old enough. They took over the resort on November 10 last year and run the resort themselves with contracted cleaners. They enjoy the resort because it is intimate and personal.

“It’s easy to give everyone that extra level of service and remember their names and room numbers,” said Andre. “We sell food and beverages from our kiosk for a nominal profit, providing another service to our guests. And they can enjoy a drink by the pool or outside at the barbecue.

“We are growing the number of return guests and it’s great to see them again, they tell me they like the service and comfort of the resort. It’s very motivating and rewarding. We are very lucky to have a positive and proactive body corporate who get along well and function as a body corporate should. The chair in particular gives us the freedom to make changes and get on with our jobs.”

The Main Beach resort on the corner of Woodroffe Ave and Pacific St consists of 85 one-bedroom apartments and has a pool and heated spa, barbecue and entertainment area, air conditioning, wireless internet, beauty salon, licensed kiosk, secure undercover parking, tour desk, internet desk and tropical landscaped gardens.

“We have very few families staying here and it’s a very quiet resort,” Andre said. “Main Beach is an up-market, secure and very desirable suburb to stay in. Our guests return because the apartments are modern, well appointed and close to everything. They enjoy the personalised service we offer and return to stay here year after year.”

Of the 85 units in the Maldives Resort, 23 are for holiday accommodation, 17 have permanent residents, 10 are managed by outside agents and the rest are owner occupied or lock-ups.
“We have grown the rental pool by four since we took over three months ago,” Duncan said. “We have plenty of room for growth.”

At the moment Duncan said the occupancy rate could be better. We’re working on improving the occupancy a few different ways and we’re already seeing growth.

Duncan and Andre said owning investment property in New Zealand has given them an insight into what their unit owners want. “We are proactive managers and keep our owners well informed,” Duncan said. “We are onsite and keep a close eye on our apartments, including those we don’t manage.”

“We ask our guests for feedback and pass it on to the owners. We take pride in our business and we work long hours to make sure everything is working smoothly and go the extra mile to keep our guests, tenants, owners and residents happy.

When they aren’t working (which isn’t often enough these days) Duncan and Andre enjoy travelling together and socialising.

“Andre loves to cook and create home improvements, which has been very beneficial at Maldives,” Duncan said.

“I enjoy sport – golf has been my last regular sport for the past few years and now I’m learning to surf with my two teenage boys.”

“This lifestyle and business leaves IT for dead – my friends and ex-colleagues back in Wellington are very jealous.”

Are you interested in lifting your industry profile?
Email [email protected] or call (07) 5440 5322

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