Unhappy ending
tion welcome notice tells clients their business is valued and it is hoped their stay is a pleasurable one.
“We would appreciate your co-operation in treating both the management and service providers with the utmost respect that they deserve.”
In staff quarters behind reception, orange lockers still have women’s names on them.
All of the bedrooms remain complete with every type of condom you can imagine, lubricant, moisturiser, rubber gloves and tissues. Lots and lots of tissues.
A laminated notice in the staffroom behind reception warns to conduct a sexually transmitted disease check with clients: “No exceptions”.
“You have no idea who your client has unprotected sex with or if he has been exposed to an STI since his last visit. Even if you see your client every week, an STI check must still be performed,” it says.
Mr Grbcic remarks, “It’s all a bit sad”, jarring with the image portrayed on a framed poster of hit movie Pretty Woman which appears to be signed by star Julia Roberts.
It sits at the end of the dim hallway towards the exit and Mr Grbcic speculates it might be worth a few bob if the signature is legitimate.
Returns for landlords with brothel tenancies have tended to receive very healthy yields of 12 to 14 per cent, compared to an average six to eight for commercial property, he said.
“But they can potentially be volatile tenants,” Mr Grbcic said, adding the Secret Liaisons operator had run things well but just suffered at the hands of unregulated competition.
“I think everyone would agree most massage places on the Coast aren’t actually just that. It’s the oldest industry but it’s dead. I don’t know how the other guys are trading.”