24 | Quest NZ T T Karen Phelps Quest going ‘from strength to strength’ Quest Mt Maunganui opened in June 2023. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT “We are proud to be the leading apartment hotel provider in every region where we operate.” Quest NZ is celebrating 25 years of operation in 2024. Chief Operating Officer Adrian Turner says that Quest was established to fill a gap in the market for accommodation that offered convenient locations, flexible and spacious living solutions, and reliable standards. It is now New Zealand’s largest serviced apartment provider. “We are proud to be the leading apartment hotel provider in every region where we operate,” he says. The company has grown consistently from the humble beginnings of the takeover properties of Quest Wellington and Quest Auckland. Milestones include the first purpose-built property in Quest Parnell, the five new builds opened during the pandemic to the latest additions that opened in June2023, Quest Mt Maunganui and Quest Hastings. Quest on Cambridge in Christchurch opened in November 2023. “Quest is continuing to go from strength to strength. Quest now has 42 properties across 14 towns and cities in New Zealand plus Suva in Fiji and with Quest on Kilmore opening in Christchurch, the network will go to 43 in 2024,” says Adrian. And the pace of growth is not slowing down. Quest Apartment Hotels still has nine new properties in the pipeline, more than any other accommodation provider in the country, says Adrian. Quest already has around $1.2 billion of property value under its brand, thirty-five of those purpose-built for the company. “Our focus has always been to establish new purpose-built operations in complexes and locations that allow us to fully leverage the value the Quest brand association offers.” He says Quest is focused on its business format franchise-system. “We don’t consider ourselves in the business of property development or property ownership. Our status is primarily as a tenant only, although we certainly engage with our property stakeholders in the development phase and then of course with our landlords on an on-going basis.” Adrian says despite a challenging few years the company’s performance compared to the market over the last 12 months show a significant differential. “Quest has outperformed the market in the various regions in New Zealand by approximately 20%. This proves we have the business solidity and base to bounce back and operate in turbulent conditions, and our current tracking for this financial year sees us continuing to have record months and suggests a high degree of resilience in our model and market. Demand is already ahead of projected budgets; the small business owner appreciates the need for doing business face to face and while we are all aware of the benefits that virtual meetings bring, nothing substitutes for looking the client in the eye and a shake of a hand.” Innovation has been at the heart of the business model. Quest launched an app in 2019 which has not only streamlined the booking process for its SMEs but has also released functionality that enable a guest to check in remotely and go straight to their room, with their phone acting as the door key. “Technology is always evolving and partnering with Liverton, we have been able to further enhance our offering for our guests,” explains Adrian. “We have also just released the ability for a quest guest to use their app to book a rental car with Hertz, with rates that are extremely competitive in the market, especially for the smaller client that doesn’t qualify for big discounts.” He says the company also realises the need to play its part on a sustainability level and with the growing number of its corporate clients are converting to EV fleets, EV charging facilities are a standard in all new developments and 80% of the network now has EV chargers at the properties. “In addition plastic bottles for the amenities are on the way out and again over 80% have removed them in favour of the dispenser model and the bars of soap are sent away for recycling and re-used in third world countries. Finally solar panels are being installed in new properties and retro fitted into older ones where possible to offset some of the electricity generated within the property. We know these are baby steps but we will continue on our sustainability journey making gains wherever we can.” • Commercial • Residential Proudly Supporting Quest Apartment Hotels 06 878 0048 www.stead.co.nz office@stead.co.nz PO Box 14153, Hastings • Educational • Design & Build Looking to get your project off the ground? Let’s discuss how Marra can take your project from concept to a quality investment. COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL | DESIGN & BUILD marraconstruction.co.nz office@marra.co.nz 07 543 0774
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