Mariners North
Brett and Maree Thompson are no strangers to the accommodation industry. Today they are the managers of Townsville’s iconic Mariners North Holiday Apartments but in the past they have managed some of North Queensland’s most prominent properties.
Brett and Maree started out in the industry 15 years ago with an introduction to the Club Crocodile group. Their first property was the Club Crocodile Motel in Rockhampton. They then went on to manage three more Club Crocodile properties during the five years they were with the company; Club Crocodile Airlie Beach, Long Island, Club Crocodile Lake Street and Hides Hotel in Cairns.
After Airlie Beach, the Thompson’s decided it was time to venture out on their own and that was when they picked up two motel leases in Rockhampton.
Brett said, “We had Motel 98 – that was profiled in Resort News issue 98 – and Fitzroy Motor Inn. After working just as managers for Club Crocodile for so long it was nice to have something we could call our own and those two motels were our first venture into the accommodation industry on our own.”
Brett & Maree Thompson
So how did the Thompsons come to end up with management rights in Townsville?
Brett explained, “We weren’t necessarily looking for management rights at the time we found Mariners North, we were just looking for an opportunity in Townsville because we were attracted to the diverse nature of the markets. Townsville has some solid markets including education, defence, tourism and health.
When we discovered Mariners North and found out it was for sale, we made the decision on the pure economics on the property’s return and its great location. The opportunity presented itself because Mariners North is the most prominent accommodation complex in Townsville. It is the only ocean front complex located on The Strand and it is not reliant entirely on the tourism industry, we enjoy a mix of 50% corporate lettings and 50% leisure.”
Management rights principal Liz Lavender, who sold the Thompsons in, said she had known the property’s previous managers but was impressed when she flew to Townsville to view the property. “I’d known the vendors for many years, they entered the industry around the same time as I did in 1995. When they contacted me to say they wanted to sell Mariners North management rights, I immediately flew to Townsville.
“Of course I see many buildings each year but this really impressed me with its superb waterfront position, upmarket apartments and a rare three-bedroom manager’s unit with views! It was a 10 out of 10! Once we’d signed the exclusive agency paperwork I outlined a marketing plan that included the Resort News and Courier Mail. In a very short time, I received a phone call from Brett, who’d just sold his motel in Rockhampton and wanted to move to Townsville with his family.”
Two years have almost passed since the Thompsons and their three young children moved into the manager’s unit at Mariners North and, in that short period of time, they have achieved so much.
“We have done quite a bit of regional television advertising and Internet marketing. We have had a good response to our efforts. Townsville has a fairly substantial drive market from western Queensland, so the most cost effective way to reach that market is through television advertising. But the biggest thing we have done is refurbish the units.
“My wife Maree has been kept busy coordinating the refurbishments and it is certainly the biggest job we have undertaken since we have been here. All apartments are individually designed and not every unit is the same, which has its challenges.”
Only Oceanfront
Mariners North Holiday Apartments – the one and only absolute oceanfront accommodation in Townsville – is located on The Strand on prestigious Mariners Peninsula – the most exclusive location in the city and the four-star, 71 apartment complex enjoys ocean views from every aspect.
Each apartment is fully self-contained, with two full sized bathrooms – both with shower and bath – a spacious open plan living area, generous private balcony and have two room configuration options of two-bedrooms or three-bedrooms.
Each apartment averages a very generous 130m², complete with air-conditioning, fans, large modern kitchen, fully equipped laundry with washing machine and dyer, pay television, DVD, security card access and secure undercover parking.
Mariners North Holiday Apartments is within an easy strolling distance to the Breakwater Marina ferry terminal, casino, entertainment centre, the CBD and Palmer St dining precint.
Marina North’s facilities include large in ground saltwater swimming pool and spa, gazebo with BBQ facilities overlooking the water, full size tennis court and tour booking desk.
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