Marlborough Sounds Tourist Accommodation Hub In Receivership

Media Release
03.04.2012

Marlborough Sounds Tourist Accommodation Hub In Receivership Sale

For more than 100 years the Portage Resort Hotel has been a popular summer holiday spot for holidaymakers and travellers as a gateway to the wonders of the Marlborough Sounds.

Located amongst the spectacular natural scenery of Kenepuru Sound, The Portage first operated as a guesthouse in 1912, and became a popular holiday destination for young couples and families.

The business became the Portage Hotel when it was sold in 1955, and then the Portage Resort Hotel in 2000 after undergoing a significant upgrade.

Today, the resort accommodates up to 120 people in 51 rooms, and includes two restaurants, a café, bar, as well as facilities for conferences and weddings.

The Portage Resort Hotel is owned and operated by The Portage Resort Hotel Limited (in receivership and liquidation). The business has been placed on the market as a freehold going concern by Bayleys through a tender closing April 17. The resort has a 2011 rating valuation of $3.975million.

The sale includes the resort complex, land, and business, and the nearby Kenepuru Store and Bakery building, land, and business. Also available separately for sale is a three bedroom house currently utilised for staff accommodation and is located directly opposite the entrance to the resort. The house has a 2011 rating valuation of $510,000.

Bayleys Canterbury salesperson Kate Mullins, who is marketing the property for sale, said generations of families had spent many a summer holiday enjoying the activities on offer in the Marlborough Sounds.

Ms Mullins said: “The Portage Resort Hotel is an established and popular stopover for pleasure boaters cruising the Marlborough Sounds, and is a welcome respite for those walking the Queen Charlotte Track.

“The resort is also popular with families who enjoy the many leisure activities available including kayaking, fishing, mountain biking and mussel tasting.”

The resort is located 15 minutes by water taxi from Picton, and is a one hour and 45 minute drive from Blenheim Airport. A floatplane or helicopter can also fly direct to the resort.

“This opportunity would ideally suit someone with experience in the hospitality industry who is seeking both a business opportunity and the lifestyle living in the Marlborough Sounds can provide,” Ms Mullins said.

The resort comprises a 702 square metre main building with reception, guest lounge, restaurant, bar, conference facilities for up to 120 people, guest spa pool, and administration offices.

The Te Weka Restaurant serves breakfast and an al a carte lunch and dinner menu, while the Retro Bar next door serves a selection of bar snacks and desserts.

The function room provides facilities for conferences of up to 100 people, including the supply of equipment such as an electronic whiteboard, display tables, television and video, and speaker phone for conference calls.

The accommodation has been built into the hillside surrounding the main building and ranges from twin share spa suites to bunk rooms. All of the hotel rooms include an ensuite, a television, refrigerator, tea and coffee facilities, and internet access. The bunk rooms have shared facilities including a kitchen with cooking facilities and a television room.

Adjacent to the main building is the 176 square metre Snapper Café & Bar. Historically open during the summer season, the café and bar offers a contemporary dinner menu and is popular with pleasure boaters and day visitors to the resort.

At the far end of the resort, with frontage to Kenepuru Road, is the Kenupuru Store and Bakery. The 249 square metre three-storey timber building provides 12 staff accommodation rooms sleeping 20 people, with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. It is the only store supplying groceries to visitors and those living in Kenepuru Sound. The building has a 2011 rating valuation of $830,000.

ENDS

© Scoop Media