#031 - The Service Detail That Builds A Stronger Motel Business

#031 - The Service Detail That Builds A Stronger Motel Business

If you want to learn more about the accommodation sector, you can explore Quest Apartment Hotels: https://www.questapartments.com.au [https://www.questapartments.com.au/] In this new episode, Trudy sits down with Damien and Judy Kennedy to unpack the real drivers of motel performance, from rebuilding failing properties to creating loyal repeat corporate guests. Three decades of experience reveal one truth: the operators who care, win. ◼️ How relationships, service, and “giving a damn” keep reps coming back ◼️ Turning around tired regional motels through pride, consistency, and community ◼️ The business fundamentals that still work in 2026, from pricing to landlord partnerships Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:00 - The Jumbuck: A Turnaround Story 00:03:00 - Understanding Occupancy Rates 00:04:00 - Building Relationships in Small Towns 00:05:30 - Engaging with the Local Community 00:06:30 - The Unique Challenges of Longreach 00:07:30 - Sponsorship and Community Support 00:08:30 - Business Development in Smaller Towns 00:09:30 - The Importance of Direct Business 00:10:30 - Personal Touch in Customer Service 00:11:30 - Enhancing Guest Experience 00:12:30 - The Value of Remembering Guests 00:13:30 - The Role of Relationships in Business 00:14:30 - Investing in Quality Amenities 00:15:30 - The Impact of Service on Customer Loyalty 00:16:30 - The Evolution of the Motel Industry 00:17:30 - Understanding Market Dynamics 00:18:30 - The Role of Freehold Owners 00:19:30 - The Importance of Communication 00:20:30 - The Saltbush Acquisition 00:21:30 - Navigating Challenges During COVID 00:22:30 - The Resurgence of Travel Post-COVID 00:23:30 - The Importance of Flexibility in Business 00:24:30 - Building a Successful Business Model 00:25:30 - The Role of Relationships with Landlords 00:26:30 - The Importance of Partnership in Business 00:27:30 - The Future of the Accommodation Industry 00:28:30 - The Roma Explorers Inn Opportunity 00:29:30 - The Role of Technology in the Industry 00:30:30 - Adapting to Market Changes 00:31:30 - The Importance of Customer Relationships 00:32:30 - The Value of Direct Bookings 00:33:30 - The Evolution of Marketing Strategies 00:34:30 - The Impact of OTAs on Business 00:35:30 - The Future of Motel Operations Follow Resort Brokers: https://www.instagram.com/resortbrokers/ https://www.facebook.com/ResortBrokersAustralia https://www.youtube.com/@resortbrokersau https://www.tiktok.com/@resortbrokersau

#030 - The Motel Rule Nobody Talks About

If you want to learn more about the accommodation sector, you can explore Quest Apartment Hotels: https://www.questapartments.com.au [https://www.questapartments.com.au/] Success in motels isn’t about shortcuts, it’s about urgency, fundamentals, and relationships that stand the test of time. In this new episode, Trudy sits with Damien and Judy Kennedy to unpack three decades of motel experience, from their first Emerald property to building and managing multiple ventures. Their journey shows why relationships, fundamentals, and urgency matter more than anything else. ◼️ How farming roots shaped their motel success ◼️ Why “relationships, relationships, relationships” is the real business model ◼️ Lessons from building, leasing, and managing across Queensland Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:23 - Introducing Damien and Judy Kennedy 00:04:39 - First Motel Purchase in Emerald 00:06:03 - Trust and Partnership in Business 00:07:04 - Importance of Customer Service 00:08:45 - Building Relationships with Guests 00:10:01 - Fundamentals of Running a Motel 00:13:16 - Financing and Building a New Motel 00:14:40 - Challenges of Managing a Motel Remotely 00:15:51 - Experience Gained Over a Decade 00:19:15 - Helping Others Enter the Motel Industry 00:20:34 - The Importance of Expertise in the Motel Business 00:22:05 - Hiring the Right Staff 00:24:12 - Decision to Buy Longreach Motor Inn 00:27:17 - Building Relationships in Longreach 00:28:29 - Improving Occupancy Rates 00:30:07 - Strategies for Managing Bus Groups 00:33:18 - Managing Housekeeping Challenges 00:35:15 - Long-Term Success at Longreach Motor Inn 00:37:08 - Selling the Longreach Motor Inn 00:38:23 - Importance of a Good Restaurant Follow Resort Brokers: https://www.instagram.com/resortbrokers/ https://www.facebook.com/ResortBrokersAustralia https://www.youtube.com/@resortbrokersau https://www.tiktok.com/@resortbrokersau

#029 - The OTA Pricing Mistake Costing Motels Bookings and Rate Control

If you want to learn more about the accommodation sector, you can explore Quest Apartment Hotels: https://www.questapartments.com.au [https://www.questapartments.com.au/] In this new episode, Trudy Crooks sits down with motelier and content creator Alex Mengual to explore the real decisions, pressures and opportunities inside regional accommodation, from rate strategy and OTAs to choosing the right property and running it with intention. ◼️ The pricing misconceptions that push guests to competitors ◼️ The OTA rate gaps that change booking behaviour ◼️ The operational difference between leisure guests and workers ◼️ The demand‑driven rate decisions operators hesitate to make ◼️ The value‑add approach Alex Mengual uses to lift a motel’s performance Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:30 - Alex's Journey into the Motel Industry 00:04:25 - Transitioning to Motel Management 00:06:10 - Initial Challenges and Expectations 00:08:09 - First Year Adjustments and Dynamic Pricing 00:09:21 - Outsourcing and Efficiency in Operations 00:10:21 - Maximizing Revenue During Peak Seasons 00:12:09 - Seeking a Long-Term Lease 00:13:04 - Evaluating Motel Opportunities 00:14:39 - Analyzing the Town and Market Demand 00:16:48 - Decision-Making Process for the New Motel 00:18:26 - Understanding Online Booking Dynamics 00:19:41 - The Importance of Rate Management 00:21:03 - Restaurant Challenges and Opportunities 00:22:13 - Social Media Engagement and Strategy 00:25:19 - Business Planning and Cash Flow Management 00:30:02 - Renovations and Compliance Issues 00:31:44 - Building Community Support for the Restaurant 00:32:17 - Current Business Performance and Pricing 00:34:24 - Advice for New Hoteliers Follow Resort Brokers: https://www.instagram.com/resortbrokers/ https://www.facebook.com/ResortBrokersAustralia https://www.youtube.com/@resortbrokersau https://www.tiktok.com/@resortbrokersau Follow Alex Mengual: https://www.instagram.com/mylittlemotel [https://www.instagram.com/mylittlemotel] https://www.threads.com/@mylittlemotel?xmt=AQG0WTBcRreu5-IQ6PDV9r02XAU9J5cmFy6llruMKanpzqI [https://www.threads.com/@mylittlemotel?xmt=AQG0WTBcRreu5-IQ6PDV9r02XAU9J5cmFy6llruMKanpzqI]

#28 - What It Really Takes to Run Multiple Quest Properties

If you want to learn more about the accommodation sector, you can explore Quest Apartment Hotels: https://www.questapartments.com.au [https://www.questapartments.com.au/] In this episode, Trudy sits down with Mark O’Shea to unpack the realities of running multiple properties through Covid, navigating greenfield openings, managing landlord relationships, and building TKC, a charity that sends every donated dollar directly to families in need. This episode covers: ◼️ How relationships with landlords, head office and staff carried them through Covid ◼️ What it takes to open and scale multiple Quest properties ◼️ Why TKC was built on a $100‑in, $100‑out promise ◼️ How their charity grew from backyard events to 1,000‑person galas ◼️ The emotional and operational load behind supporting families through cancer Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:00 - Early Days with Quest and Resort Brokers 00:03:40 - Transitioning to New Properties 00:05:10 - Family Involvement in the Business 00:06:00 - Challenges of Opening During COVID 00:07:30 - Geelong Central and Its Opportunities 00:09:10 - The Impact of the Commonwealth Games 00:10:30 - Starting Team Kill Cancer (TKC) 00:12:30 - The Birth of TKC and Initial Fundraising 00:14:00 - Growth of TKC Events 00:15:30 - Corporate Sponsorship and Support 00:17:00 - Local Charities and Community Impact 00:19:00 - Expanding TKC Beyond Melbourne 00:20:30 - Challenges of Running a Charity 00:23:00 - Emotional Toll of Charity Work 00:25:00 - The Process of Helping Families 00:27:00 - Managing Roles Within TKC 00:29:00 - Importance of Clear Roles in Teamwork Follow Resort Brokers: https://www.instagram.com/resortbrokers/ https://www.facebook.com/ResortBrokersAustralia https://www.youtube.com/@resortbrokersau https://www.tiktok.com/@resortbrokersau

#027 - He Listed a $2B Company. Now He's Building a Motel Empire

If you want to learn more about the accommodation sector, you can explore Quest Apartment Hotels: https://www.questapartments.com.au [https://www.questapartments.com.au/] In this episode, Trudy sits down with David Toomey to unpack why he believes the motel sector offers one of the strongest risk‑return profiles in Australia. From his private equity background and a $2.1B NASDAQ listing to building a national motel fund, David breaks down the economics, the scale advantages and the operational levers shaping the industry. This episode covers: ◼️ Why property‑backed motels can deliver a 25% IRR ◼️ How diversification across motels reduces overall risk ◼️ The macro forces lifting regional accommodation demand ◼️ Why four‑star corporate motels create steadier revenue ◼️ How operational changes drove a 10–15% uplift Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:35 - Guest Introduction: David Toomey 00:02:22 - David's Background and Career Path 00:04:06 - Transition to Australia and Tritium 00:05:33 - Identifying Opportunities in the Motel Industry 00:08:47 - Risk-Return Profile of Motels 00:09:34 - Market Trends and Population Growth 00:10:33 - Fund Structure and Acquisition Goals 00:11:56 - Investment Criteria for Motels 00:12:53 - Brand Strategy and Quality Focus 00:14:42 - Investor Participation and Fund Structure 00:16:10 - Comparison with Other Investment Models 00:17:01 - Fund Management and Governance 00:18:15 - Projected Returns and Investment Strategy 00:20:08 - Diversification Benefits of the Fund 00:21:44 - Operational Management and Team 00:23:07 - Revenue Optimization Strategies 00:25:08 - Expense Management Techniques 00:26:54 - Challenges in Property Acquisition Follow Resort Brokers: https://www.instagram.com/resortbrokers/ https://www.facebook.com/ResortBrokersAustralia https://www.youtube.com/@resortbrokersau https://www.tiktok.com/@resortbrokersau Follow Quest Apartment Hotels:https://www.questapartments.com.au