Amid the COVID-19 pandemic where many travellers are restricted from easily exploring other states and territories, hotels that offer something unique for a short stay – or longer – are likely to be in high demand. For prospective hotel owners looking to get ahead of the competition, what better way of leaving a lasting impression on a guest than starting with an experience that’s difficult to forget? We’ve hunted down some of the most unusual boutique hotels on the market – and a property that’s just begging to be transformed into a hotel.
Price: $3.99 million - Nathan Eades, ResortBrokers
Brisbane’s Amelia Hotel, which has undergone a recent renovation, features a range of queen, king and twin suites with interior decorating themes ranging from the astrological to oceanic. There are 18 rooms, plus a manager’s apartment.
Agent Nathan Eades, of ResortBrokers, said the property – which is owner-operated – would be easily managed by a “husband and wife” team.
“The beauty of this is that it is perfect for a classic ‘husband-and-wife’ team to take it on as owner-operators, and we also expect strong inquiries from investor-buyers who could run the motel under management,” Mr Eades said.
The freehold hotel is about 1.6 kilometres from the CBD.
“We can’t remember the last time a freehold hotel in the centre of Brisbane was made available to the market. They simply don’t come up very often which makes this a unique sale,” fellow listing agent Ben Hall said.
Price: $2.7 million-$3.4 million
Being offered for sale with either vacant possession or a sale-and-leaseback deal with the current operator, this magnificent property offers a rare mix of heritage and income.
Built by colonial architect George Mansfield for the Commercial Banking Company in 1887, the property has been operating as an events space by the current owners.
The three-level building has 10 guest rooms, private gardens spread over almost 0.2 hectares and a commercial kitchen.
The leaseback deal consists of a five-year lease and two five-year options, with an annual rent of $265,000.
Listing agent Brendan Saroff, of Commercial Collective, said it was a unique opportunity to purchase a working heritage property with potential for further development, subject to council approval.
“The property speaks for itself, the architecture, the finishings – it’s very well kept and, as locals say, it really is the crowning jewel of Maitland. I haven’t seen, in my career, an asset which provides such character and income at the same time,” Mr Saroff said.
Another former bank building hailing from the 1860s, this time built for the Bank of Victoria, boasts 10 guest rooms.
The accommodation business – currently operating under management – has been open in a reduced capacity during the pandemic, but has previously enjoyed strong demand from tourists visiting the historic gold-rush city, according to listing agent Tom Harrop, of Tweed Sutherland First National.
“Bendigo is a very touristy town. The art gallery has major exhibitions which is a huge drawcard and brings a lot of people to the town,” he said.
A new owner could take on the management of the accommodation business and lease out the restaurant space, which was currently vacant, he said.
“There’s plenty of upside for an owner-occupier to come in and run the establishment – it’s a very unique, beautifully preserved property,” Mr Harrop said.
There is potential for a new owner to further develop the C1-zoned property, subject to council approval.
Hobart’s Islington Hotel combines an 1847-built regency-style house with modern additions to create a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel.
Opened in 2005, the property in South Hobart bills itself as a “curated hotel” and boasts an extensive art collection as well as views to Mount Wellington.
The 11-room property is currently owner-operated and has won awards, including Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Winner, Tripadvisor’s highest honour. Room rates average between $350 and $400 a night.
The property is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Council’s Register of Historic Buildings and the Register of Classified and Recorded Buildings.
The 2005 renovation, which saw the extension of the conservatory, resulted in the hotel being awarded The Royal Australian Institute of Architects’ Heritage Architecture Commendation, and the Master Builders Tasmania’s winner of Heritage Building Restoration.
The Islington Hotel is listed for sale with Colliers International’s Karen Wales and Guy Wells.
Price: $2.995 million
Norfolk Island is about two and a half hours by plane from Australia and the Cumberland Resort and Spa in the town of Burnt Pine – Norfolk Island’s major commercial hub – consists of 10 villas that have a mix of one, two and four-bedroom configurations.
There’s an on-site day spa where guests can pop in for a massage or they can choose to unwind in the heated swim-spa or relax in the sauna.
Guests also have access to a dedicated resort hire car to explore the island.
The listing quotes a five-year average net profit of $330,051 a year.
For those seeking a true blank canvas, there’s always this grand property in western Victoria.
Currently in use as a grazing and cropping operation, the 942-hectare Larundel estate could lend itself to a boutique hotel or group accommodation conversion, according to the listing.
The 840-square-metre main residence – a bluestone mansion which dates to the mid-1800s – consists of four bedrooms, a study, library, billiard room, multiple living zones, kitchen, 4000-bottle wine cellar and conservatory.
Guest accommodation is located in the nearby stables, which consists of a separate self-contained residence. There are further two residences located on the property.
With around two hectares of private landscaped gardens, designed by the world-renowned garden designer Paul Bangay, a championship tennis court and croquet lawn, Larundel already seems like a dream weekend destination.
Add in garaging for nine cars as well as a helipad with hanger, refuelling facility and airstrip and well-heeled guests from Melbourne – which is around 90 minutes away by car – will be well-catered to.
Larundel is for sale by expressions of interest in a campaign conducted by CBRE’s Danny Thomas and Shane McIntyre.
