After disagreements with local councils in 1989, the village of Whangamomona – a recommended tourist spot in the Lonely Planet guide – declared itself an independent republic, and now celebrates Republic Day every second January with a themed extravaganza. The sale of the iconic Whangamomona Hotel offers a unique opportunity to get involved in the beating heart of this quirky community, a hotspot for domestic and international tourists.
Whangamamona
Located on the ‘Forgotten World Highway’ between Stratford and Taumaranui, the Whangamomona Hotel is a historic two-storey property built in 1911. The hotel has undergone significant refurbishment in the last few years, and is currently operated by a husband and wife team working with a full-time assistant manager and part-time cooks, kitchen, bar, and house staff as required.
With seventeen bedrooms distributed across two storeys and an attic, as well as five self-contained one-bedroom facilities constructed in 2017 and dubbed ‘The Lodge’, the Whangamomona Hotel can sleep up to 44 guests. Its ground level facilities include a bar with double door access, dining area, kitchen with storeroom and chiller, souvenir shop, and separate male and female toilet amenities, as well as a fully accessible bathroom. The building warrant of fitness, liquor licensing, and food health and safety consents are all in place.
Included in the sale is the double-glazed, insulated, and timber-lined manager’s accommodation, renovated in 2014, which contains a master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe, second bedroom, living area with kitchenette, free-standing fireplace, and gas hot water. Also available for separate purchase is the 158m2 Post Office, an original 1911 building which includes three bedrooms and a bathroom in the staff quarters and a separate bedroom and en suite in the old Post Office Area.
Since 2014 the hotel’s turnover has progressively increased and is now around $1.1 million per annum, with plenty of potential for growth. Since 2013, the number of guests staying increased from 2,000 to over 3,900. The introduction of high-speed internet to the valley in 2017 allowed the current owners to facilitate the use of a property management system (Strait Solutions), ensuring the hotel kept pace with the dynamic and changing accommodation sector.
Local attractions include the Taranaki Pioneer Village outdoor museum, the Raekohua falls, and Tangarakau ghost town, as well as a number of excellent walks offering unrivalled views of Taranaki. The Whangamomona Hotel represents an excellent opportunity to own a slice of history and acquire a well-operated and profitable hotel on a recognised tourist trail.
Asking price: $2,100,000 plus GST if any.
The sale of the Whangamomona Hotel is handled by Resort Brokers, a certified member of MREINZ licensed under the REA 2008. For sale enquiries, contact Brent Hannah on 021 359 678 or email brent@resortbrokers.co.nz
