One of New Zealand's most iconic alpine resorts is being offered for sale through Colliers International. The Skotel Alpine Resort, located in the Whakapapa Alpine Village at the base of Mount Ruapehu, is being marketed for sale by Colliers International Broker Mathew Gibbard and Hotels National Director Dean Humphries. Offers by way of expressions of interest close on 1st March 2018.
Gibbard says the property is aptly known as the “highest hotel in New Zealand” due to its elevation of 1,134m above sea level.
“The Skotel has remained in the ownership of former Auckland City councillor John Strevens for the last 30 years” he said. “It has been extended and upgraded a number of times since the first stage was built in the mid-1960s. It currently comprises a 3 star plus hotel with 31 rooms, five standalone chalets, and a 12 room, 36-bed budget accommodation.”
The resort also offers a large restaurant and bar, gymnasium, spas and saunas, games rooms, on-site ski hire and equipment facility and 70 car parks.
“The property also comes with a three-bedroom managers’ accommodation and staff accommodation.”
Humphries said the Skotel offers owner-occupiers and investors the opportunity to be involved in an established, successful alpine business in one New Zealand’s fastest growing tourism regions.
“Tongariro National Park attracts some 200,000 visitors each year, making it one of New Zealand’s most popular national parks both in summer and winter” he explained. “Many of these visitors come to complete the Tongariro Alpine Crossing that is described as one of the best one-day hikes in New Zealand.
“In addition, the Whakapapa ski field is now undergoing a major redevelopment programme including new chairlift facilities and plans for a gondola in 2020. The ski field has recently introduced advanced snowmaking facilities that will open the ski season several weeks earlier, with the 2018 season scheduled to open in early June.”
Humphries stressed the unique nature of the offering, which is located on a large 10,800sq m parcel of land owned by the Department of Conservation, with the most recent 21-year lease in place expiring in 2027.
“The Skotel is therefore being sold as an established and profitable business together with the existing improvements,” he says. “This high yielding investment has many potential opportunities, as the region continues to expand in the wake of the current tourism boom sweeping the country.”
