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Stranded (happily) in Sydney
The Mole has been stranded in Sydney this week by the volcanic ash plume that swept across Australia, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights
The enforced layover has had its compensations, however, as we’ve been able to spend time at one of Sydney’s smaller, guest friendly hotels, the 61-room Rendezvous Stafford in the Rocks.
The hotel, which has its own pool and sauna, includes seven historic townhouses as well as some harbour view rooms with balconies.
Interestingly, The Stafford, along with other hotels nestling under the Rendezvous brand, has gone out on a limb by pricing guest extras at cost – or entirely free in some cases.
Mini bar items, for instance, are priced cheaper than the same items in a convenience store 30 metres from the hotel entrance.
Bottled premium beer is $5 and a 600ml of bottled water is $3, cheaper by one dollar than the price of a similar item in the nearest convenience store.
Local telephone calls are free; there is three hours of free Internet access daily, plus low cost international calls and laundry at cost price.
For business travellers, or leisure guests wanting a few extras, the business benefits package priced at $27.50 per person per day (S$29.50 in Singapore) includes full breakfast, newspaper, choice of either a laundered or pressed shirt, or a complimentary drink at the hotel bar. The deal also includes free unlimited Internet.
Hotel general manager Ravi Satyavolu says that two years ago the margin on mini bar items was 70-80% but under the new pricing this figure has dropped to 10-15%.
“But we’ve gained a great deal in revenue. Guests are happy to consume the mini bar items rather than bring things back to the room from the local convenience store.
“And, most of all, we’ve gained a lot in guest satisfaction,†he said.
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