NEWS
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You know the saying, if you enjoy something, it doesn’t feel like it’s work? I never believed in that, quite honestly, until now.”
QUEST CAROLINE SPRINGS NATALIE Bui and Ricky Singh also bought into the Quest franchise after working their way up the Quest ranks. The pair, who first met after working together at Quest Rosehill in New South Wales, soon
NATALIE BUI formed a strong friendship, which remained when Ms Bui moved into a business development role and Mr Singh became a property manager for four properties. Ms Bui then left Quest to trade in commodities, but returned to the brand in October last year
Quest Caroline Springs’ Natalie Bui and Ricky Singh. Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
when an opportunity came up to take over the then Caroline Springs Mercure. “We looked into it and I said ‘why not?’ We knew the Quest brand and how it works and the support that we’d get and what the model is about,” Ms Bui said. “We came here to look at the property when it was under the Mercure brand and we drove around and thought it was a fantastic area. “When we drove in, it didn’t feel like a suburb, it felt like you were in another land. It’s unbelievable that you’re in Melbourne but you’re not. “The houses, the exclusivity of it, the atmosphere – everything about Caroline Springs (appealed).” The pair re-branded the property on 1 February and are currently undergoing a $1.2 million redevelopment, which will include repainting the property and upgrading the kitchenettes one floor at a time to minimise any interruptions for their guests. The redevelopment will be complete by early August. Quest Caroline Springs
includes 80 studio, one and two bedroom serviced apartments, a dedicated conference floor, broadband internet access, onsite reception, secure on-site car parking, daily room servicing, and local restaurant chargeback options. The clientele is 70 per cent corporate and 30 per cent leisure, according to Ms Bui. Quest Caroline Springs was at 75 per cent occupancy when Business West visited in March, with one level closed off for the renovation. “The first month has been really crazy, it’s been fantastic and exciting at the same time,” Ms Bui said. “We had Quest head office here to help us and assist us with the changeover. “It’s trying to find your feet and setting procedures and processes so the guests aren’t inconvenienced in any way at all. The guest is why we’re here and it’s about maintaining our standards. It’s been fantastic.” Ms Bui and Mr Singh also live on-site. “You get to meet a lot of the guests,” she said. “It feels like home now. “You know the saying, if you enjoy something, it doesn’t feel like its work? I never believed in that, quite honestly, until now. I feel like this is my life. It’s great. I don’t feel like its work.” [BW]
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Established in 1955 and with over 2,000 design and construct solutions, Vaughan Constructions has established an unrivalled reputation as the leader in professional and cost effective design and construction services. Vaughan Constructions has established a proven approach to meeting specific client needs, within budget and time constraints, “Building Customers for Life”.
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