Netting Gourmet Getaway Market

Newcastle Herald

Tuesday October 19, 1999

SQUID'S Ink, the Pacific Highway landmark at Belmont South, is on the market.

The restaurant has played a prominent role in the growth of Hunter regional tourism.

When it was built in the mid-1950s, it was the first motel between Sydney and Taree.

Over the years it has been developed into a stylish lakeside retreat, restaurant and function centre.

This year, it won its category award in the Hotel Motel and Accommodation Association of NSW Awards for Excellence.

Now, at the height of its popularity, expressions of interest are being sought for its lease or purchase.

Squid's Ink's 120-seat licensed restaurant has drawn its own acclaim.

It won Best Food in an Accommodation Property (Hunter Valley) in its category at the HMAA Awards and was named the Hunter's Best Seafood Restaurant by the Restaurant and Catering Association of NSW.

There are 24 rooms ? many with sweeping lake views ? two spa suites, a self-contained veranda suite and a two-bedroom, self-contained penthouse suite.

The licensed restaurant, outdoor dining terrace, bar, pool and leisure deck all take advantage of the lake scenery and an extensive on-site boat hire operation allows guests to extend their experience of the lake environment.

The Room With A View and Boardroom function spaces seat 80 and 35 respectively and are in constant demand for seminars, presentations and product launches.

Squid's Ink is being offered through Belmont solicitor Geoffrey A. Gibbs, who is accepting expressions of interest in leasing or buying the property.

`Enthusiastic reviews in upmarket lifestyle magazines have helped create a high yield gourmet getaway market to complement a loyal weekday business market,' Mr Gibbs said.

`There has been a marked swing in business towards the top end of the rate card.'

Owners Rob Antill and his wife Ronnie have just returned from living in Sri Lanka for several years.

They bought the property 10 years ago imagining it might offer them the relaxed style of living to which they had become accustomed.

But it was the guests who got to enjoy Squid's Ink while the busy owner-operators built its popularity into an award-winning business.

`There's no end to its potential in sight but now it's time for someone else to take it to its next level of development.'

No prices have been mentioned, but turnover is understood to be in excess of $2million.

© 1999 Newcastle Herald

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