Quest Napier
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And it got it in the persons of Ruben and Fiona Simon, a married couple of considerable international experience in the accommodation business and command of several languages to go with it.
Their interest in the franchise was not surprising. It is an environment that most in the accommodation industry would envy. Not only does living in Napier give the Simons the pleasant setting they wanted to live in and raise their children, but Quest Napier itself is a building of rare character in New Zealand's architectural heritage.
In anyone's language, Quest Napier has had a quite exceptional history. The charming Spanish mission building was designed by Napier architect D.B Frame, and constructed in 1919 as the Ancient Order of Foresters' district building. Its concrete reinforced construction withstood the devastating 1931 earthquake and proved invaluable as one of the key points of the temporary business area in the aftermath. The building has also served as a community hall, the Napier RSA and an inner-city church. It has a category two Historic Places Trust listing.
Quest had been searching for a suitable site in Napier since 2003. In 2006, this site was put forward to Quest by the developer, K2 Investments.
Design and contracting was completed by late 2007 and construction started in March 2008. The complex was officially opened in March 2009.
Lovingly restored by the construction firm Arrow International, the original front section features high ceilings and native New Zealand matai flooring. The rear section was demolished to make way for the new rooms and two levels of car parking. Up-to-date furnishings in all apartments successfully marry the old and new flavour throughout the building.
It was this history, beauty and quality that attracted Mr and Mrs Simon who wanted to settle down in New Zealand to raise their young family after they had both spent much of their working lives both here and overseas. When the Simons, who were working in an Indonesian hotel at the time, became aware that the opportunity was available, they jumped at the chance.
As a couple, they both spent several years in hotel management overseas, and it was at the end of more than a decade at the Novotel Manado –Indonesia, a 210 room hotel and the first 4-star hotel in the city of Manado, that they saw the Napier Quest opportunity while searching the internet. They decided that was what they wanted, successfully applied for the franchise and returned to New Zealand in February 2009.
Opened in March 2009, Quest Napier offers a choice of studio and one bedroom apartments for short and long term accommodation. Some apartments interconnect to offer a larger option for families or small groups.
The Simons seem ideally suited to the role. Ruben, born in Switzerland of Dutch parents, had a wide range of international experience in the business before immigrating to New Zealand in 1990. In a management position at Hotel du Vin in south Auckland, he met his future wife, Fiona, an Auckland born New Zealander who also held senior roles at Hotel du Vin, including that of Japanese guest co-ordinator, where her abilities with Japanese language were put to good use.
Ruben and Fiona believe they have proven complementary management skills to Quest Napier, along with extensive customer service experience. "We both had early training in large and boutique hotel environments and that helped to make us very aware of how to create customer satisfaction and the long work hours required in this industry," Fiona said. "Between us we speak Indonesian, Dutch, German, French and Japanese and this really helps us to make guests from overseas feel at home."
The Simons believe their experience in opening several other properties in the past has given them a valuable insight into the commitment it takes to work at developing a strong client base and the patience to keep looking for new sources of clients.
Both say they have enjoyed the experience. "Our guests are a really nice group of people who've come here to do interesting things in the region," said Fiona.
But she acknowledged their three years at Quest Napier have also brought challenges. "Arrival numbers to the Hawke's Bay have decreased in the late 2000s so we're keen to work with Hawke's Bay Tourism to see a turnaround in those figures in any way we can."
