Riding the hospitality wave at Raglan
Aunique accommodation and function venue, overlooking one of the world’s most famous surf breaks, is now on the market. Solscape sits in the hills above Manu Bay and Ngaranui Beach, providing a little taste of peace and quiet on the Waikato’s rugged west coast.
The venue benefits from Raglan’s international profile among surfers.
It featured the seminal 1966 classic surf movie, Endless Summer, which helped popularise surfing worldwide. In this film three American “surf buddies”, seek out the world’s best wave-riding spots, including Manu Bay’s legendary left-hand wave.
Solscape was established in 2002, at 611 Wainui Rd.
For years it has created unique experiences for guests, drawing on the holistic dynamics of surfing, the surrounding bush environment and plant-based wholefood cuisine.
But now the freehold land, buildings and business are to be marketed for sale by deadline private treaty.
Bayleys Hamilton salespeople Rebecca Bruce and Mark Frost are selling Solscape, which features in the latest Total Property magazine, with tourism specialist Carolyn Hanson.
Bruce says the property, at 611 Wainui Rd, has resource consent for four additional accommodation structures, which will allow the next owner to configure buildings into multiple price points, to add wider pricing options.
“Auckland and Hamilton provide much of Solscape’s wedding and corporate function bookings — being two hours from Auckland and 45 minutes from Hamilton.
“The business, leisure and wedding function clientele self-segregates over the course of a week. Corporates mostly book from Mondays and Thursdays; the leisure market takes mainly weekends and most weddings parties book on Saturdays. The clever layout allows multiple parties, including large groups, to be catered for simultaneously yet separately. In fact, for functions, Solscape can cater for up to 120 guests.
“Though the venue does not have a full liquor sales license now, a huge opportunity exists to boost revenue by adding one.
“In summer, weddings are hosted on the front lawn and covered dining verandah, providing uninterrupted views of the surf beaches below. Food is prepared on-site through the lodge’s kitchen and the wedding parties exclusively occupy the full range of accommodation,” she says.
Diverse accommodation sleeps more than 80 guests in self-contained units; converted railway carriages; earth domes and an off-grid teepee forest camp area.
The commercial-grade kitchen has ovens, hobs, a griller, refrigeration and stainless-steel benches. Large organic gardens provide much of the restaurant’s fresh produce.
“On a two-night stay, Solscape’s food and beverage division budgets on capturing at least one night’s spend, and one breakfast.
“This is obviously higher for the likes of weddings and corporate bookings,” he says.
Frost says the vertically-integrated business model ensures multiple revenue streams work collaboratively to deliver solid revenue and growth.
Over the 2017/18 financial year, Solscape recorded average annual occupancy of 65 per cent — running at close to capacity during the summer high season (December-March), with only a skeleton staff in the winter months.
Trading records show gross revenue nearly doubled in the past five years, from $459,000 in 2013 to
1.08 million in 2018.
In peak season, Solscape employs
30 full-time and part-time personnel across its kitchen, reception, housekeeping and property maintenance divisions.
This number is scaled back to nine full-time and part-time staff during the quieter (May-October) winter and winter-shoulder seasons.
At last month’s Keep New Zealand Beautiful Awards, Raglan was voted Most Beautiful Small Town in New Zealand. It also took out the Supreme Award in the competition, ahead of Dunedin, Taupo, Richmond and Coromandel.