In the heart of Shepparton, an ambitious hotel development is swiftly moving from vision to reality, promising to introduce a novel hospitality experience to the region.
Spearheaded by Dale Bainbridge, a franchisee for the globally recognised Accor Group, the Mantra Shepparton aims to offer accommodation and catalyse the local tourism and hospitality scene.
Mr Bainbridge’s determination to bring the Mantra brand to Shepparton was rooted in the city’s burgeoning need for quality accommodation.
“Shepparton was an absolute, a no-brainer, to build there,” he said.
The revelation came in 2017 after an invitation from Accor Hotels to an athletics meet in Melbourne led Mr Bainbridge to cross paths with councillors and residents from Shepparton, like now Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell, highlighting the acute accommodation shortage in the area.
The construction by Michael Ciavarella and Paul Ciavarella of Crow Constructions has seen the hotel exceed its initial size expectations.
“We ended up making the hotel bigger than he had first planned, which was great,” Mr Bainbridge said.
“It’s being done in two stages.
“We’ll open the first stage, which will have 22 rooms, on 7 Wyndham St, on the main highway... and then another two blocks at the back go through to Maude St for another 37 rooms, which will be delivered late next year.”
Mr Bainbridge commended the builders for their exceptional work, emphasising the collaborative effort that led to the creation of a well-designed, versatile establishment.
“The way they have gone about it, they’ve done it better than I’ve seen before... it feels like it’s happened overnight,” he said.
“It’s been a really good ride.”
Set to open its first stage in mid-to-late October, the Mantra Hotel aims to cater to a wide array of guests, from families in town for sporting events to corporate travellers seeking extended stays.
Each one-bedroom apartment is designed with flexibility and convenience and can be converted into a two-bedroom apartment for large families.
Though the Mantra brand does not require a restaurant, Mr Bainbridge was keen to provide guests with distinctive offerings.
A ‘grab-and-go’ concept in the reception area, alongside a mini-mart stocked with local produce, ensures visitors can access quality refreshments and the essentials during their stay.
“There’s also parking in the first stage, and in the next stage, there’s a full underground car park under the hotel,” he said.
An outdoor area with a terrace, umbrellas, and plant boxes gives the hotel a welcoming atmosphere, inviting guests to unwind outdoors.
Beyond the immediate amenities and pleasing aesthetics, the new hotel stands as a beacon of growth for Shepparton’s tourism and hospitality industry.
With Accor Hotels’ 8 million loyalty guests across Australia, Mr Bainbridge anticipates a significant boost in visitors to the city eager to experience the new Mantra Hotel.
As the project approaches completion, Mr Bainbridge’s regular visits to Shepparton have only strengthened his confidence in the hotel’s success.
“Each time I come to Shepparton for a site visit, Mick or Paul from Crow Constructions take me around and show me something different, whether it be the MOVE museum or lunch at Elsewhere at SAM, and I’ve been really impressed,” he said.