Hotelesque properties offer VIP lifestyle

ALWAYS fancied waking up between designer sheets in a luxury mansion, or soaking in the swanky tub of a private penthouse with a killer view? Now you can.

While such VIP life goals might be out of reach for those of us without millions to drop on a prestige property, living like the rich and famous is still attainable, even if for just a few nights.

Part hotel and part property management service, Hotelesque (formerly known as Your Home Away From Home) is a newly relaunched accommodation provider that gives guests the experience of a luxury address, while allowing homeowners the opportunity to not only share their high end home, but also earn a pretty penny.

Although prices start at the very palatable $165 a night, a stay in one of these palatial pads could set you back more than $4000 a night.

Comparisons to the travel industry disrupter Air BnB may come to mind, but Hotelesque is accommodation sharing on a whole other level. The five star brand includes “seven-day guest relation support” for most properties and offers owners an almost “hands off” landlord experience.

Monique Eyles, co-founder and director of Hotelesque, said they set themselves apart from AirBnB because they are more than just an advertiser.

“Where we can differentiate ourselves, and we will advertise on those portals, but we give certainty to the owners as there’s a property manager looking after the home and we also look after the guest — so all of those facets are covered, not just the advertising component,” she explained.

“Some of our owners have tried doing it themselves and they don’t want to have anything more to do with it. If somebody gets stuck in a lift at 11pm, they don’t want to know about it. They might be overseas and just need us to take care of it,” she said.

Unlike comparable services in the accommodation sharing space, where guests often have to clean up after themselves (and sometimes provide everything from toilet paper to towels) Hotelesque promises to have most luxuries covered — and then some.

“When we have people in the entertainment industry come and stay, like actors and musicians, that’s when requests can get out of the ordinary. One of our guests asked if we could change the tennis court into a basketball court for the duration of their stay. They also wanted televisions added to every room. Those sorts of things are definitely possible and while they pay for it, we’ll organise it,” Ms Eyles said, adding that personalised lifestyle services are in high demand.

“We’re finding that some visitors are wanting things like a yoga instructor or personal chef to come to the property, and that’s something that we have on the radar and could certainly offer. There’s nothing we can’t do really,” she said.

Every property featured on hotelesque.com.au is a private home and although there is no strict criteria on what make the grade, there are certain “must-have” inclusions.

“The absolute key is that we do sometimes say no at all price points. For example, if we’re offered a really highly priced property and there’s no pool and it’s in a coastal location, then that might be a ‘no’ from us unless all other factors are perfect. But then on the lower end, we might have a one-bedroom that’s absolutely stunning with beautiful designer finishes and it will rent out very well,” she said.

Ms Eyles said the key to a successful listing is definitely a desirable location, with most of their 120-strong stable of homes in Sydney’s east and inner city (with more further afield coming soon). However, there is also the need for a property to walk the fine line between hotel and home.

“We know if we replicate a hotel look people love that, but they also want the comfort of home. They want to be able to spread out in the fully equipped kitchen, but they don’t want the clutter that comes with a normal listing which is might not be really well designed or styled properly for short term stays. So that balance is really critical,” she said.

“We want to give them a great experience, be able to treat them, because our guests are so important. Then they tell their friends, and friends of friends.”