Windward Apartments
Not everyone wants a home away from home when on holidays. Some holidaymakers want something different. At the internationally renowned Sunshine Coast, Queensland’s Windward Apartments at Mooloolaba gives you that memorable experience that maybe you can’t get at home.
The boutique style apartments are individually furnished giving them a special charm enticing guests to visit again.
Windward Apartments offer great ocean views from most balconies as well as being minutes from a choice of shopping complexes, restaurants, boutique shops, galleries, many eateries and supermarkets.
Seeking warmer weather and a lifestyle change, Larry and Mary Haines moved from Wellington, New Zealand, to their own piece of paradise, taking over the management rights at Windward Apartments in November 2008.
Many previous holidays had attracted the Haines to the Sunshine Coast and those holidays planted a seed that maybe there could be another life for them in Australia. Mooloolaba was their choice and so began the hunt that met their requirements.
After extensive research and long consultations with other managers, Larry and Mary were attracted to Windward Apartments because of its relative ease of managerial size, beautiful gardens and an entry into the accommodation industry.
Mary has been in the health and nursing industry all her working life. Her necessary multi-skilled talents and interactions with thousands of different people over the years have contributed to Mary giving the guests that extra special attention.
Larry’s experience in the building industry as a quantity surveyor, project manager and, more recently, in his own painting and decorating business, has been, and is, a major asset in the accommodation industry.
One of Windward Apartments owner’s recently purchased an apartment he wanted to renovate and asked for Larry and Mary’s input. From there Larry organised all the contractors and used his project management skills to complete the job quickly and within the projected schedule.
“I put together a program so everyone knew when they had to come on board and when they had to finish their part of the work so the next trade could come in and do their part,” said Larry. “I monitored it all to ensure everyone kept within their time frame.”
Larry and Mary live onsite. Within the nine strata apartment levels, there are 24 apartments with12 holiday units available for rental. These spacious, well planned and solidly constructed apartments were built close to 30 years ago. There are two apartments per floor and each has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
“They didn’t worry about cramming apartments when they built these,” said Larry. “We have the facitlites to make each of the apartments one, two or three bedrooms. When we came here we put locks on all the adjoining bedroom doors.
“We can provide a range of configuration for guests. The good thing is when a couple stays in a one-bedroom apartment they end up with a very large kitchen, dining and lounge room.”
Location is a big draw card and although Windward Apartments is situated on Mooloolaba Esplanade, it is far enough away from any late night club and bar noise.
“One of the guests has been coming here for 12 years. Three farming families have been coming for six years for a three-week break,” said Larry. “Some New Zealand families come over regularly. There are a lot of repeat customers.
“We utilise social media such as TripAdvisor and we do our own marketing,” said Larry.
Some guests want to visit the numerous local attractions, such as Underwater World, Australia Zoo, Eumundi Markets and the famous hinterland. Larry and Mary have familiarised themselves with many of these attractions so they know what they are talking about when guests enquire.
Some of the many features that attract guests to Windward Apartments are the fully self-contained apartments with large family fridges, washing machines, dryers, new large flat screen TVs and secured undercover parking.
Accessibility to major and minor airports is a plus with Brisbane airport only an hour south and it is a quick 15 minutes north to the Sunshine Coast Airport with available shuttle services to both.
There are two popular covered barbeque areas and a heated swimming pool at the rear of the complex. “The barbeque area is wonderful for families to gather,” said Mary. “We have had baby naming ceremonies and wedding receptions there, sometimes with over 100 people.”
The in-house gymnasium overlooks the pool and barbeque area, so guests often long for a relaxing swim after a pounding workout.
Windward Apartments has affordable accommodation rates that attract a broad range of guests both nationally and internationally.
“Families are our main clientele,” said Mary. “We do get couples but many families.”
The popular pool table allows families plenty of fun times together.
The ground floor apartments are very popular with families with young children. Although there is no balcony, they lead out onto a grassed area where children can run around and play safely.
Elderly people also like the ground floor apartments because they don’t have to worry about lifts or stairs.
“It’s a very comfortable, workable and compact building,” said Mary. “Guests only have a short distance to their rooms from the stairs and lift. Once guests come out of the lift it is only two to three steps to their apartment door.”
“We have had elderly people stay here and they come back again because it is so handy to the supermarkets,” said Larry. “They don’t come here to drive around all the attractions—they come here for a break from everyday life.”
Everyone should have a break sometime. Fortunately, relief manager Richard Waterson, who has been in the industry for many years, manages the apartments once a week and whenever Larry and Mary have a well deserved holiday.
Von, from Lifestyle Cleaning, has been cleaning Windward Apartments for eight years. Extra cleaners are deployed when necessary. “We have an excellent rapport with all the contractors that are involved in the complex. It is a great working atmosphere.
“We love the contact with the guests. A majority of the time it is really positive. We are here to ensure all guests have an enjoyable, refreshing and memorable holiday,” agreed Larry and Mary.
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