Author: master

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Australia’s Luxury Home Accommodation Industry Grows with the Launch of Hotelesque

In the continuously expanding home sharing economy play a selection of local Australian businesses that are delivering high quality luxury accommodation, to local and international guests. Today, disrupting the mix by launching deeper into the home-rental market is emerging business, Hotelesque.

Operating since 2005 and headed up by finance and property specialists Steve Keir and Monique Eyles, Hotelesque is grounded in market leading expertise and experience. It is this expertise and foresight that led Keir and Eyles to re-brand their business from Your Home Away from Home to Hotelesque in August 2018 with the intention to further establish its brand positioning and offering in the luxury hospitality industry.

Offering a curated selection of Sydney’s most prestigious and luxury homes, Hotelesque holds a portfolio of 120 investment and lifestyle properties and is continuing to grow in the competitive landscape.

Service and experience is what distinguishes this business as a differentiated offering to its competitors, delivering superior service to property owners and a unique premium experience to guests through a deep understanding of the long-stay traveller. Each property is carefully hand selected to ensure a consistent level of premium properties, with the in-house team working closely with each home owner at the outset to ensure the property is styled impeccably to have instant appeal to prospective guests, to ensure long-term financial return on the property

The in-house team provide key interior solutions spanning furniture, appliance and kitchen fit-out packages, with suppliers such as Coco Republic, to ensure the portfolio of homes are consistent in premium styling. Typically, homes styled by the in-house design team on average attract higher occupancy levels.

“Through our turn-key solutions, we are providing another platform for property owners and investors to generate a consistent high-return revenue stream,” says CEO Steve Keir. “Internally, we are prototyping technology that enable us to record property information for more seamless property management, further enabling future bookings through steady high ratings and reviews,” Keir adds.

For guests, the locally based concierge is a service provided that elevates Hotelesque from the likes of Airbnb. For a fee, guests are able to request a grocery pick up, car transfer, bed hire, special dining experience and more. Guests are serviced whilst in house to ensure they have the perfect stay, with all amenities provided at no additional cost.

“All of our concierges are locally based, so you can always rely on seven day a week support, as well as local knowledge and expertise,” says Director Monique Eyles. “Whether it is organising replacement clothing to counter lost luggage, our team will work to satisfy every need of our guests, ” Eyles adds.

While already well established in Sydney, where the number of properties under management is set to triple to 300 by 2019-20, Hotelesque is on the cusp of expansion interstate into Victoria and Queensland and overseas to New Zealand.

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Fancy, fashion and Fonda

As a frequent Bondi to Coogee dog walker, East felt very fancy last week, invited to a newly-build private residence overlooking Gordons Bay, for the launch of luxury accommodation business, Hotelesque.

With Veuve on arrival, the modern home and its astounding views provided the perfect backdrop for guests including Terry Biviano and host Neale Whitaker t learn about Hotelesque’s Steve Keir and Monique Eyles and their curated selection of prestige luxury homes.

There were insights into previous clients. Apparently Leonardo Di Caprio hada tennis court turned into a basketball court during a stay in one luxury home. Now that’s a personalised concierge service!

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Hotelesque is a new luxury home accommodation collection with a portfolio of 120 premium residences in Sydney. Unlike Airbnb, guests can call an exclusive concierge service for special requests.

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Airport Concierges: The new face of luxury travel

Voyeurism plays a part in many a travel adventure, whether it’s leafing through the glossy catalogues of a high-end cruise brand, scrolling through Instaram images of the latest resort opening in a far-flung place or stopping by a legendary five-star hotel for a drink in the lobby bar to absorb a modicum of the lux life.

The beauty of these top-shelf holidays is the inspiration and innovation ideas they provide for the rest of the travel industry. The trends that start at the megabucks end of the spectrum often trickle down to more affordable travel options and open our minds to new adventures. With that in mind, here is what luxury looks like in 2018.

DREAM HOUSE SHARE

Booking a holiday house, no matter the cost, always comes with that Airbnb-style gamble, where despite the glossy photos on the app, you dread opening the door to discover it’s far less comfortable than your own home, with sticky crockery and never enough cooking pans. But the sharing economy is expanding upwards and for a cost, you can access very high-end homes.

Hotelesque is an Australian company that rents out deluxe private homes for holidays, that promise “home hotel living” complete with a concierge, for up to $10,000 a week.

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Hotelesque properties offer VIP lifestyle

ALWAYS fancied waking up between designer sheets in a luxury mansion, or soaking in the swanky tub of a private penthouse with a killer view? Now you can.

While such VIP life goals might be out of reach for those of us without millions to drop on a prestige property, living like the rich and famous is still attainable, even if for just a few nights.

Part hotel and part property management service, Hotelesque (formerly known as Your Home Away From Home) is a newly relaunched accommodation provider that gives guests the experience of a luxury address, while allowing homeowners the opportunity to not only share their high end home, but also earn a pretty penny.

Although prices start at the very palatable $165 a night, a stay in one of these palatial pads could set you back more than $4000 a night.

Comparisons to the travel industry disrupter Air BnB may come to mind, but Hotelesque is accommodation sharing on a whole other level. The five star brand includes “seven-day guest relation support” for most properties and offers owners an almost “hands off” landlord experience.

Monique Eyles, co-founder and director of Hotelesque, said they set themselves apart from AirBnB because they are more than just an advertiser.

“Where we can differentiate ourselves, and we will advertise on those portals, but we give certainty to the owners as there’s a property manager looking after the home and we also look after the guest — so all of those facets are covered, not just the advertising component,” she explained.

“Some of our owners have tried doing it themselves and they don’t want to have anything more to do with it. If somebody gets stuck in a lift at 11pm, they don’t want to know about it. They might be overseas and just need us to take care of it,” she said.

Unlike comparable services in the accommodation sharing space, where guests often have to clean up after themselves (and sometimes provide everything from toilet paper to towels) Hotelesque promises to have most luxuries covered — and then some.

“When we have people in the entertainment industry come and stay, like actors and musicians, that’s when requests can get out of the ordinary. One of our guests asked if we could change the tennis court into a basketball court for the duration of their stay. They also wanted televisions added to every room. Those sorts of things are definitely possible and while they pay for it, we’ll organise it,” Ms Eyles said, adding that personalised lifestyle services are in high demand.

“We’re finding that some visitors are wanting things like a yoga instructor or personal chef to come to the property, and that’s something that we have on the radar and could certainly offer. There’s nothing we can’t do really,” she said.

Every property featured on hotelesque.com.au is a private home and although there is no strict criteria on what make the grade, there are certain “must-have” inclusions.

“The absolute key is that we do sometimes say no at all price points. For example, if we’re offered a really highly priced property and there’s no pool and it’s in a coastal location, then that might be a ‘no’ from us unless all other factors are perfect. But then on the lower end, we might have a one-bedroom that’s absolutely stunning with beautiful designer finishes and it will rent out very well,” she said.

Ms Eyles said the key to a successful listing is definitely a desirable location, with most of their 120-strong stable of homes in Sydney’s east and inner city (with more further afield coming soon). However, there is also the need for a property to walk the fine line between hotel and home.

“We know if we replicate a hotel look people love that, but they also want the comfort of home. They want to be able to spread out in the fully equipped kitchen, but they don’t want the clutter that comes with a normal listing which is might not be really well designed or styled properly for short term stays. So that balance is really critical,” she said.

“We want to give them a great experience, be able to treat them, because our guests are so important. Then they tell their friends, and friends of friends.”

As In

Always fancied waking up between designer sheets in a luxury mansion, or soaking in the swanky tub of a private penthouse with a killer view?

While such VIP life goals might be out of reach for those of us without millions to drop on a prestige property, living like the rich and famous is still attainable, even if for just a few nights.

Part hotel and part property management service, Hotelesque (formerly known as Your Home Away From Home) is a newly relaunched accommodation provider that gives guests the experience of a luxury address, while allowing homeowners the opportunity to not only share their high end home, but also earn a pretty penny.

Although prices start at the very palatable $165 a night, a stay in one of these palatial pads could set you back more than $4000 a night.

Comparisons to the travel industry disrupter Air BnB may come to mind, but Hotelesque is accommodation sharing on a whole other level. The five star brand includes “seven-day guest relation support” for most properties and offers owners an almost “hands off” landlord experience.

Monique Eyles, co-founder and director of Hotelesque, said they set themselves apart from AirBnB because they are more than just an advertiser.

“Where we can differentiate ourselves, and we will advertise on those portals, but we give certainty to the owners as there’s a property manager looking after the home and we also look after the guest — so all of those facets are covered, not just the advertising component,” she explained.

“Some of our owners have tried doing it themselves and they don’t want to have anything more to do with it. If somebody gets stuck in a lift at 11pm, they don’t want to know about it. They might be overseas and just need us to take care of it,” she said.

Unlike comparable services in the accommodation sharing space, where guests often have to clean up after themselves (and sometimes provide everything from toilet paper to towels) Hotelesque promises to have most luxuries covered — and then some.

“When we have people in the entertainment industry come and stay, like actors and musicians, that’s when requests can get out of the ordinary. One of our guests asked if we could change the tennis court into a basketball court for the duration of their stay. They also wanted televisions added to every room. Those sorts of things are definitely possible and while they pay for it, we’ll organise it,” Ms Eyles said, adding that personalised lifestyle services are in high demand.

“We’re finding that some visitors are wanting things like a yoga instructor or personal chef to come to the property, and that’s something that we have on the radar and could certainly offer. There’s nothing we can’t do really,” she said.

Every property featured on hotelesque.com.au is a private home and although there is no strict criteria on what make the grade, there are certain “must-have” inclusions.

“The absolute key is that we do sometimes say no at all price points. For example, if we’re offered a really highly priced property and there’s no pool and it’s in a coastal location, then that might be a ‘no’ from us unless all other factors are perfect. But then on the lower end, we might have a one-bedroom that’s absolutely stunning with beautiful designer finishes and it will rent out very well,” she said.

Ms Eyles said the key to a successful listing is definitely a desirable location, with most of their 120-strong stable of homes in Sydney’s east and inner city (with more further afield coming soon). However, there is also the need for a property to walk the fine line between hotel and home.

“We know if we replicate a hotel look people love that, but they also want the comfort of home. They want to be able to spread out in the fully equipped kitchen, but they don’t want the clutter that comes with a normal listing which is might not be really well designed or styled properly for short term stays. So that balance is really critical,” she said.

“We want to give them a great experience, be able to treat them, because our guests are so important. Then they tell their friends, and friends of friends.”

As In

The most outrageously stunning coastal stays

We’ve found 12 of the best coastal stays, for those who insist on holidaying right. 

This Tamarama Retreat

Take solace in this spacious, design-savvy retreat that offers endless sea views and a taste of the good life.

Double Bay bliss

Set your sights on the seas from your large bedroom windows at this stunning Double Bay home away from home.

A sleek Sydney sojourn

Wake up to unmatched ocean views and make yourself at home in this relaxed and airy Sydney accommodation offering.

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Hotelesque ushers in a new level of home-share luxury

Luxury home-sharing has just reached a new level of sophistication, according to Sydney-based specialist Hotelesque.

Quite beyond Hotelesque’s curated collection of some of Sydney’s most luxurious homes, the company’s service extends to re-styling interiors to maximise owners’ returns, and offering a concierge service to simplify guests’ requirements for local shopping, dining experiences and so on.

Hotelesque is headed by finance and property specialists Steve Keir and Monique Eyles, and is a rebranding of Your Home Away from Home, established by Keir in 2005.

The business partners say that Hotelesque’s careful selection of properties and interior styling maintains a consistent level of quality and appeal to attract higher occupancy levels and build guest loyalty.

For guests, local concierges can provide seven-day support.

Hotelesque is currently operating with around 100 properties in Sydney, but has imminent plans to expand into Victoria, Queensland and New Zealand. For its current Sydney offerings, visit www.staging.hotelesque.com.au/.

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Australia’s luxe HOTELESQUE – when home & hotel combine

In the continuously expanding home sharing economy play a selection of local Australian businesses that are delivering high quality luxury accommodation, to local and international guests. Today, disrupting the mix by launching deeper into the home-rental market is emerging business, Hotelesque.

Operating since 2005 and headed up by finance and property specialists Steve Keir and Monique Eyles, Hotelesque is grounded in market leading expertise and experience. It is this expertise and foresight that led Keir and Eyles to re-brand their business from Your Home Away from Home to Hotelesque in August 2018 with the intention to further establish its brand positioning and offering in the luxury hospitality industry.

Offering a curated selection of Sydney’s most prestigious and luxury homes, Hotelesque holds a portfolio of 120 investment and lifestyle properties and is continuing to grow in the competitive landscape.

Service and experience is what distinguishes this business as a differentiated offering to its competitors, delivering superior service to property owners and a unique premium experience to guests through a deep understanding of the long-stay traveller. Each property is carefully hand selected to ensure a consistent level of premium properties, with the in-house team working closely with each home owner at the outset to ensure the property is styled impeccably to have instant appeal to prospective guests, to ensure long-term financial return on the property

The in-house team provide key interior solutions spanning furniture, appliance and kitchen fit-out packages, with suppliers such as Coco Republic, to ensure the portfolio of homes are consistent in premium styling. Typically, homes styled by the in-house design team on average attract higher occupancy levels.

“Through our turn-key solutions, we are providing another platform for property owners and investors to generate a consistent high-return revenue stream,” says CEO Steve Keir. “Internally, we are prototyping technology that enable us to record property information for more seamless property management, further enabling future bookings through steady high ratings and reviews,” Keir adds.

For guests, the locally based concierge is a service provided that elevates Hotelesque from the likes of Airbnb. For a fee, guests are able to request a grocery pick up, car transfer, bed hire, special dining experience and more. Guests are serviced whilst in house to ensure they have the perfect stay, with all amenities provided at no additional cost.

“All of our concierges are locally based, so you can always rely on seven day a week support, as well as local knowledge and expertise,” says Director Monique Eyles. “Whether it is organising replacement clothing to counter lost luggage, our team will work to satisfy every need of our guests, ” Eyles adds.

While already well established in Sydney, where the number of properties under management is set to triple to 300 by 2019-20, Hotelesque is on the cusp of expansion interstate into Victoria and Queensland and overseas to New Zealand.

A Share-Accommodation Company Fancier Than Airbnb. Where properties are designer- styled, guests are vetted and there’s a concierge.

When repeat customers step into their Hotelesque accommodation, there are no surprises. The luxury holiday-home company only has 120 Sydney properties on its books (most are in inner-west, inner-city or beachside suburbs), but each home is consistently and impeccably styled to Vogue Living standards.

It’s a boutique aesthetic that Hotelesque – formerly known as Your Home Away From Home – has replicated across its properties. Homeowners have the option of working with Hotelesque’s in-house interior designers to style their property, which includes furnishing bedrooms, dining rooms and living areas with items from boutique furniture company Coco Republic.

About half of Hotelesque’s homeowners take up the offer. “Some just give us the keys and let us do the whole concept,” says the company’s co-founder Monique Eyles.

As a result, guests come to expect a certain standard at Hotelesque accommodation. All home rentals come with linen, towelling, toiletries and wi-fi; and when taking on new properties, Eyles prioritises well-equipped, fully functioning kitchens. “We spend a lot of time looking at [our] reviews … if someone says, ‘I could bake a cake!’, that’s a good sign,” she told Broadsheet.

AirBnB may have a monopoly on the share-accommodation market, but Hotelesque sets itself apart by combining its luxury accommodation with a full-service concierge experience. “Guests are now more savvy and discerning and want an outstanding experience,” says Eyles.

A locally based concierge is on standby seven days a week to help solve sticky situations guests may encounter, such as getting locked out or flooding from upstairs apartments – both real-life experiences for some hapless visitors. “Our concierge got out of bed at 1am to deal with that situation,” says Eyles. The concierge can even arrange grocery deliveries, laundering services and airport transfers (for an additional fee).

Of course, the premium service and designer accommodation come with a price tag to match. On the more extravagant end of the properties on offer, during peak season a four-bedroom Point Piper home with harbour views will cost you $3500 a night for a minimum 10-night stay – excluding the $5000 bond.

But co-founder Steve Keir says guests get their value for money. “We spent a lot of time ensuring a guaranteed experience for customers,” he says, adding that the average nightly rate of a Hotelesque property, during the low season, is a more affordable $250 per night.

As part of Hotelesque’s guest “vetting” process, most homes require a minimum five-night stay. It’s a safeguard against one-night party guests who raise the ire of neighbours.

“We’ve had hundreds of guest stays and we’ve only had to deal with five external complaints. The neighbours are just as important as everyone else – that’s where they live. We need to be responsible and respectful,” says Keir.

Unlike AirBnB, there’s no instant-book option. Prospective guests must submit an email query and there are multiple layers of communication between guests and administrator – including asking the guest’s reasons for staying – before the booking is confirmed.

It may seem like an onerous process, but with recent negative publicity surrounding short-term rental homes, Eyles and Keir are keen to position Hotelesque as an example of how the share- accommodation model should be done. They’re so confident in their processes they’re planning to expand to Victoria and Queensland, too.

“This share economy and [share-property industry] done the right way, can be done well. We know our style is going to work,” says Eyles.