The Beach Club Resort, Mooloolaba is a one-of-a-kind accommodation right in the heart of a popular holiday precinct; just 400 metres from the patrolled Mooloolaba Beach and 150 metres from the exciting esplanade, with an eclectic array of bars, boutiques, cafes and restaurants.
The resort opened in 1997, designed by renowned architect Frank Raadschelders, who was known for his originality and verve. This building created quite a buzz in the quiet fishing village of Mooloolaba, circa 1997, but no-one predicted the attention it would demand from the domestic and international tourist markets for many years to come. This award-winning apartment complex presents one-bedroom accommodation and superb resort facilities.
Two decades and three changes of management later, the well positioned Beach Club Resort continues to offer a unique tropical style and a glorious feeling of open space with ever-improving facilities. Sarah Caton is the current resort manager and she proudly told us: “We receive wonderful feedback from our guests on the layout of the resort – it really is a unique design.”
Architecturally speaking, this resort is very distinctive. Sarah explained: “Our building has three-storey tall palm trees throughout the inside of the resort and its unusual open style invites nature in, and celebrates the coastal environment while a sea breeze flows freely.”
“Design features, such as the flyover walkways that meander through the palm trees, and our roof-top glass-bottomed plunge pool, captivate our guests. Add to this, the sun and surf of Mooloolaba Beach, beautiful views of the Glass House Mountains, the aroma of local coffee and alfresco dining on the bustling esplanade you have the perfect place to spend some time away from home.”
The rooftop is perfectly positioned to soak up a sunset, according to Sarah: “While taking in the magnificent hinterland views, guests can take a dip in the only four-level high glass bottom magnesium mineral plunge pool the Sunshine Coast has on offer! The blend of minerals is the perfect balance for a rejuvenating, refreshing and relaxing soak.”
Sarah is the director of Soul Management Group and passionately leads the team at Beach Club Resort, which will soon celebrate its 20th birthday.
What led Sarah to management rights? Sarah moved to the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane 15 years ago with her small family and started a career in real estate advertising and marketing. After several years in this industry, she told us: “I felt a change was on the cards so I pursued my interest in hospitality and spent a few years managing bars and restaurants while focusing on event management. This change was a rollercoaster ride of events from weddings, corporate functions, charity balls and music concerts to comedy shows.
“During this time, I invested in a local Mooloolaba real estate office and after selling my share in 2014, I invested in my own little piece of paradise here at the Beach Club Resort. I do not offer the industry a traditional husband/wife management rights team, but I thrive on a challenge and was happy to jump in with both feet, I bestow enthusiasm and a fresh take on the industry with great support from my business partners. Surrounded by fantastic team of hardworking staff plus the collective skills gathered from my journey thus far, enables us to deliver an exceptional Beach Club experience.”
Sarah had considered management rights to be something to move into “when I was older” but inspired by a conversation with friends over lunch a few years ago she made a call to meet with Wayne and Linda Stoll from Think Management Rights. She said: “The next six months were a whirlwind of property inspections, interviews with prospective finance advisors, business partners, accountants, solicitors and what felt like 100 signatures later, I moved into my new home, my new business and I met my new team of staff. It was a very exciting time!”
The last two years have been a huge learning curve, Sarah admitted: “When you jump into something new, you face plenty of challenges. We have constantly worked to improve all aspects of the resort and last year we completed a major project to refurbish the rooftop area and introduced a new aspect to our business; we now offer rooftop events and functions and have given our resort an additional edge. Meanwhile, with the support of our body corporate, every facet of the property continues to improve and evolve; from revamping the facilities and grounds and having owners of individual units being renovated also.”
All this sounds very exciting but also a lot of hard work. What advice can Sarah offer? “Expect anything!” She replied: “And, become a Jack/Jill of all trades because in this industry, no day is ever the same. You must be prepared to face anything.” There are of course plenty of fun times…
What does Sarah enjoy most? “I love engaging with such a large variety of guests daily, to hear many great stories and adventures from all over the world. Just being part of Australia’s incredible travel industry gives me a thrill, and I consider myself very lucky to be able to call Mooloolaba home; who wouldn’t want to have this glorious location as their backyard, I can’t imagine being anywhere else in this point of my life.”
This inimitable Sunshine Coast resort has offered its guests wonderful experiences and irreplaceable memories for almost 20 years. Thousands of visitors from near and far, including corporate clients, athletes and even eccentric travellers (who have decided to stay on for several months) have delighted in this resort. Sarah revealed that the resort’s continued success is down to the “flexibility in our approach that ensures each guest has an experience they can write home about”.
For this incomparable resort, it seems fitting that a non-traditional approach to resort management style will take it into the next decade. Continued refurbishment and lots of fresh ideas will hopefully continue to elevate this iconic Mooloolaba resort. This is exciting news for all Beach Club Resort’s guests.
