Watermark Hotel & Spa
Watermark Hotel and Spa prides itself on exceptional guest service and providing a complete entertainment and relaxation experience.
The property features 4½ star hotel rooms, plus luxurious five star Club Watermark accommodation in the heart of Surfers Paradise. All rooms feature ocean or hinterland views and guests have access to a myriad of hotel facilities including a day spa, two award winning restaurants, seven conference venues, two pools, sauna and gymnasium.
Watermark Hotel and Spa general manager, Don Cox has been managing the hotel for over 10 years now and with over 35 years industry experience he has seen significant changes within the accommodation trade.
“Computerisation has greatly enhanced the industry over the past 35 years both from ease of booking and a reporting sense. Customer relationship marketing has also been enhanced as databases are developed.
Social media is starting to impact on the industry and will continue to develop and expand. This requires a change in marketing tactics as traditional methods are challenged. However customer service continues to be the measuring stick between properties,” said Don
Working as a public accountant prior to entering the industry, Don says a major challenge for the hotel at the moment is adjusting to a changing market with lower yield whilst maintaining service and staffing levels. “This requires everyone to work smarter and maximise revenues at every opportunity. Constantly increasing costs make it difficult to maintain employment levels, which we have protected for many years, so we encourage flexibility in the workplace with many employees working shorter hours,” said Don.
“By involving middle managers more in decision making, implementation of changes and encouraging ownership and teamwork more than ever helps us. And creating a more flexible workplace allows employees to better balance their lifestyles. This is very attractive to working mothers,” he said.
Hotel Watermark Gold Coast now boasts a second lagoon shaped pool and river view entertainment terrace, gymnasium, modern Italian style Amalfi Bistro and Wine Bar, Club Watermark executive lounge serving complimentary breakfast and refreshing pre-dinner beverages with canapés, L’Aqua Day Spa and five new function rooms.
“Value for money has always been our aim, coupled with friendly efficient service,” says Don. “Attention to detail assists in establishing a reputation of reliable service and standards.”
With a wealth of knowledge and experience already under his belt Don has high hopes for Club Watermark Hotel and Spa’s future. And when asked what the best advice he has been given in the industry he replied by saying, “Know what you don’t know, admit it even if only to yourself, then do something about increasing your knowledge in your weak areas. And think big. The first, in particular, has helped me round out my knowledge of all areas, which is invaluable for a GM’s role.”
Watermark Hotel and Spa Gold Coast is an accredited Green Star hotel in recognition of its environmental practices and initiatives. Some of the many environmentally friendly activities include the use of energy saving power devices, state of the art water management practices, recycling programs and the use of renewable energy.
The hotel features 388 rooms and suites that capture the very best of the hotel’s idealistic location and the refreshing seaside personality that is Surfers Paradise. Capitalising on the picturesque surrounds with sweeping windows and open plans, the rooms are bathed in glorious sunlight as it cascades across the distinctly modern interiors. The hotel offers four room types: standard, superior, deluxe and club. Accommodation rooms feature twin double, queen or king bedding.
Club five star accommodation is located on floors 14 -20 and features opulent Comfort Plus bedding with mattress topper in either twin or king configuration, adorned with a variety of pillows and an additional pillow preferences menu. Topped with a plush doona and dressed in premium linen for optimum relaxation.
Interior décor on these levels is distinctly modern with stone, solid timber, clear glass and ambient lighting combined together to define spaces within each room, achieving a luxurious environment that is sophisticated yet relaxing for both leisure and business travellers. Premium quality amenities including bathrobes, minibar, 82cm LCD television and Internet complete the five star experience.
The L’Aqua Day Spa on level two offers a refreshing spa facility in Surfers Paradise with five massage rooms, sauna, spa, Vichy shower, hydro bath therapy, steam room, beautician, relaxation room and direct access to a gymnasium and pool. Elixir hairdressing salon offers an exclusive range of hair and beauty services and offers the talents of Mr Yamaguchi.
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